Nothing, the London-based consumer electronics brand founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has officially announced its latest smartphones: the Nothing Phone 3a and Nothing Phone 3a Pro. These new devices aim to offer a stylish, almost-flagship experience at a mid-range price point, starting at $379 for the 3a and $459 for the 3a Pro.
A Design That Stands Out
Nothing continues to impress with its distinctive retro-future design. The Phone 3a series features a glass back (an upgrade from polycarbonate), exposing the screw fittings and internal electronics. The signature Glyph lighting system also makes a return, adding to the phone's unique aesthetic. According to early reviews, the design is a head-turner. "I get asked about the Nothing phone more than I do when I’m using the latest iPhone," notes one reviewer.
The Phone 3a boasts an IP64 rating for water resistance, providing better protection against splashes and spills. The Glyph lighting details are now concentrated at the top of the phone, encircling the camera unit. The 3a Pro, in particular, features a prominent circular camera module due to its new periscope sensor.
Camera Capabilities
The Phone 3a Pro’s camera is a major highlight. It features a 50-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom and a lossless cropped 6x zoom. It also includes a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.88 lens and dual-pixel phase detection auto-focus (PDAF), along with an ultrawide 8MP sensor with a 120-degree field of view.
The 3a Pro also features a telemacro mode, allowing for close-up focusing as near as 15cm (5.9 inches) with the telephoto zoom. This feature is "still rare on phones outside of China," according to one review. The base model Phone 3a has a 50MP main camera with single-pixel PDAF and a 2x optical zoom telephoto lens.
Performance and Software
Both phones share many of the same specifications, including a large 6.77-inch AMOLED LTPS display with Panda Glass, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. They also feature a 5,000mAh battery with 50W fast charging, promising a full charge in under an hour.
One of the few compromises to reach the mid-range price point is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor. However, Nothing claims this chip offers a 92% improvement in AI processing compared to its predecessor, which should benefit features like the TrueLens Engine 3.0. This engine combines AI-powered tone mapping with Ultra XDR (co-developed with Google) to enhance photo quality.
The Phone 3a series also introduces the "Essential Key," a new button on the right edge below the power button. This key functions as an AI assistant launcher, allowing users to quickly capture screenshots, record voice notes, or launch the Essential Space app. While some appreciate the addition, others feel it is limited in its functionality. One reviewer stated, "I totally get adding a new button to a phone, but it needs to do more than this."
Availability
The Phone 3a is available for preorder now in grey, black, and blue, with devices shipping on March 11. The Phone 3a Pro, in black and grey, goes on preorder March 11 and launches March 25. Unfortunately, US availability will be limited through a Beta Program. And for Canadian consumers, there's some bad news: the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro will not be available in Canada.
Nothing OS, running on Android 15, offers a playful and customizable experience. It features unique icons, fonts, and animations, as well as useful features like a monochrome theme, app label removal, and a smart app drawer.
"Despite a learning curve in places, it’s playful. The icons, fonts, and animations across Nothing’s take on Android 15 add a refreshing touch of personality in a sea of smartphone sameness."
Overall, the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro offer a compelling combination of style, features, and value. While the limited US availability and lack of Canadian release are disappointing, these phones are sure to turn heads in markets where they are available.