The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro enters a competitive mid-range smartphone market where brands strive for the best specifications at affordable prices, often sacrificing individuality. Nothing, based in London and led by Carl Pei, has successfully created a unique space with its minimalist design and a notably different user experience.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro falls within the ₹30,000-₹35,000 price range, competing against well-speced devices from brands like OnePlus, Samsung, and Realme. However, instead of solely focusing on specifications, the Phone (3a) Pro aims for an experience-centric approach featuring innovative software, a distinctive design, and meticulous attention to detail that is uncommon in this segment.
Does it achieve its goals? For the most part, yes, although there are some nuances to consider.
Highlights
A Design That Stands Out
Nothing’s design ethos is well-defined, characterised by transparent aesthetics, understated industrial features, and the notable Glyph Interface, comprising customisable LED light strips on the rear that serve as alerts, indicators, and even a fill light for photography. The Phone (3a) Pro builds on this concept rather than completely reinventing it. The revised transparent back now includes a well-structured arrangement, highlighted by a large circular camera module that holds three lenses. Some may find the prominent camera bump excessive, but it undeniably enhances the phone’s character.
While the build quality is strong, it may not feel premium. Unlike the higher-end Nothing Phone (2), this model utilises a polycarbonate mid-frame instead of aluminium, resulting in a different in-hand experience compared to metal-constructed flagships. Nonetheless, the IP64 rating, which makes it dustproof and splash-resistant, is a welcome feature for added durability.
Weighing 211g and measuring 8.4mm thick, the phone is substantial yet well-proportioned. The buttons offer gratifying feedback, and they have been thoughtfully positioned for ease of access. Additionally, a new Essential Key has been introduced, allowing users to programme it to launch applications, toggle settings, or activate Nothing’s AI-powered Essential Space for notes and reminders.
A Display That Performs Well
The 6.77-inch AMOLED display provides an outstanding visual experience. Its sharpness, vibrancy, and adaptable 120Hz refresh rate ensure that scrolling and animations are incredibly smooth. With a peak brightness of 3000 nits, visibility outdoors remains excellent, even in strong sunlight. The colours are well-balanced, and HDR10+ support enhances streaming experiences, making services like Netflix enjoyable.
The phone features slim, symmetrical bezels, contributing to its sleek appearance. An in-display fingerprint sensor operates swiftly and reliably, while stereo speakers deliver decent sound, although they may not provide as rich an audio experience as Samsung’s A-series.
Performance: Smooth Yet Not Exceptional
The Phone (3a) Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, a 4nm chipset that sits just below flagship processors but remains quite effective. Combined with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, the phone effortlessly manages day-to-day tasks. Multitasking is seamless, the user interface navigation remains quick, and the Nothing OS 3.1 is known for being one of the cleanest Android skins. Users will not encounter bloatware or intrusive notifications, ensuring an intuitive, polished experience.
In terms of gaming, the Adreno GPU provides reasonable performance in popular titles like COD Mobile and Genshin Impact, although settings may need to be adjusted for long-term smooth gameplay. Benchmark results reveal it lags slightly behind OnePlus’s Nord series, which is equipped with more powerful chipsets. However, real-world performance does not show a significant disparity.
Software optimisation has always been Nothing’s forte, and it is evident here. The company commits to delivering three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, matching Google’s pledge for the Pixel 7a.
Cameras: Impressively Versatile
The triple-camera configuration on the Phone (3a) Pro differentiates it from numerous mid-range contenders. It includes:
• 50MP primary sensor (OIS, f/1.9)
• 8MP ultrawide (120-degree FOV)
• 50MP periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom)
The primary camera excels in daylight, capturing sharp details and well-balanced colours. Unlike some Xiaomi and Realme models that tend to oversaturate images, Nothing provides a more natural colour tone. Low-light performance is good but not industry-leading; the Night Mode is decent yet results may not match the quality seen in the Pixel 7a.
The 8MP ultrawide lens performs adequately but lacks excitement. Pictures are usable, albeit with softer edges, and low-light imagery is not particularly impressive.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the 50MP periscope telephoto lens. The inclusion of 3x optical zoom is rare in this price range and significantly enhances the ability to take close-up, portrait, and distant shots. Digital zoom extends up to 6x, producing surprisingly good outcomes. Many phones in this price segment either omit telephoto features or rely solely on rudimentary digital zoom, making this a key advantage for photography enthusiasts.
Selfies captured with the 50MP front camera are sharp and well-exposed, though edge detection in portrait mode may not always be reliable.
Video recording capabilities max out at 4K 30fps, featuring EIS and OIS stabilisation, rendering it effective for handheld shooting. However, the absence of 4K 60fps is a disappointment since several competitors provide this feature.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000mAh battery provides ample usage, comfortably lasting an entire day with heavy usage. Screen-on time generally ranges between 6-7 hours, ensuring that most users do not have to worry about running low on power before nightfall.
Charging options include 50W wired charging, allowing users to recharge from 0 to 50 percent in approximately 20 minutes and achieve a full charge in under one hour. However, wireless charging is not an option, and a charger is not included in the box. While this trend has become common among premium brands, it feels like an unnecessary oversight.