Nothing has built a reputation for blending minimalist design with innovative features, and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro continues that trend. Positioned as a mid-range device, it brings premium elements such as a periscope telephoto lens, a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, and a near-stock Android experience.
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Pros & Cons
Verdict:
If you prioritize design, camera versatility, and fast charging, this phone is a great buy. However, those needing flagship-level performance may find better alternatives with a Snapdragon 8 series processor.
✅ Buy it if: You want a stylish, feature-packed mid-range phone with a clean Android experience and a versatile camera setup.
❌ Skip it if: You need top-tier gaming performance or prefer wireless charging and an official IP rating.
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Photos
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Specs
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro – Full Specifications
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏗 Design | Transparent back with Glyph Lighting, Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus (Front & Back) |
| 💡 Glyph Interface | Customizable LED lights for notifications, calls, charging status, and camera fill light |
| 📏 Dimensions & Weight | 162.5 x 76.4 x 8.3mm, 197g |
| 🌊 Durability | No official IP rating (Water & dust resistance not guaranteed) |
| 📱 Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (2400 × 1080), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| 🔆 Brightness | 1600 nits peak brightness (Good outdoor visibility) |
| 🎨 Color & Contrast | HDR10+ support, Vibrant colors, Deep blacks |
| 🔄 Refresh Rate | 120Hz adaptive (No LTPO, slightly less battery efficient) |
| ✅ Pros | ✔️ Unique transparent design with Glyph Lighting ✔️ Premium build quality (Glass & Aluminum) ✔️ Bright & smooth AMOLED display ✔️ Good outdoor visibility |
| ❌ Cons | ❌ No official water/dust resistance ❌ No LTPO for more efficient refresh rate control |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (2400 × 1080), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+, 1600 nits peak brightness, 20:9 aspect ratio |
| 🎨 Design & Build | Transparent back with Glyph Lighting, Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus (Front & Back), No official IP rating |
| ⚙️ Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| 💾 RAM & Storage | RAM: 12GB LPDDR5 Storage: 256GB UFS 3.1 (No microSD support) |
| 📸 Rear Cameras | 50MP (Main, f/1.8, OIS + EIS) 50MP Periscope (f/2.5, 3x Optical Zoom, 10x Hybrid Zoom, OIS) 8MP Ultrawide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) Video: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps |
| 🤳 Front Camera | 50MP (f/2.0, EIS), 4K video recording (30fps), 1080p at 60fps |
| 🔋 Battery & Charging | 5,000mAh battery, 50W wired fast charging (0-50% in 19 min, full charge <1 hour) No wireless charging |
| 📡 Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C (USB 3.1), Dual SIM (Nano-SIM) |
| 🛠 Software | Nothing OS 3.1 (Based on Android 15), Essential Key, Essential Space, 3 Years of OS Updates, 4 Years of Security Patches |
| 🔊 Audio | Stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack, Dirac-tuned sound |
| 📏 Dimensions | 162.5 x 76.4 x 8.3mm |
| ⚖️ Weight | 197g |
| 🎨 Colors | Black, White |
| 💰 Price | ~€459 / $499 (Varies by region) |
Design & Build: Signature Aesthetic with a Purpose
Nothing has once again leaned into its transparent design language, and the Phone (3a) Pro is no exception. The semi-transparent back, combined with the Glyph lighting system, gives the device a futuristic appeal. The lights aren’t just for show—they serve as customizable notifications, charging indicators, and even as a fill light for photography.
The phone feels premium in hand, thanks to its aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus protection on both sides. It’s slim and well-balanced, making it comfortable for one-handed use. However, it lacks an official IP rating, which means users should be cautious around water and dust.
Display: Smooth, Vivid, and Adaptive
The 6.77-inch AMOLED display is a standout feature, offering a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that adjusts dynamically for optimal battery efficiency. With a peak brightness of 1600 nits, outdoor visibility is excellent. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and HDR10+ support enhances video playback.
Unlike many competitors that push QHD+ resolutions, Nothing sticks with a Full HD+ panel, which is a balanced choice for battery efficiency without sacrificing clarity.
Smooth for Daily Use, But Not a Powerhouse⚡
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, a capable mid-range chipset that handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and light gaming smoothly. With 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, app load times and UI navigation are fluid. However, heavy gaming and demanding applications expose its limitations, as it lags behind flagship Snapdragon 8 series processors.
For casual users and those who prioritize efficiency, clean software, and smooth animations, performance is solid. However, power users looking for top-tier gaming or heavy multitasking might find better alternatives.
✅ Pros:
✔️ Smooth daily performance (browsing, social media, streaming)
✔️ Fast app loading & multitasking with 12GB RAM
✔️ Optimized Nothing OS 3.1 (Near-stock Android 15 experience)
✔️ Good thermal management (Doesn’t overheat easily)
❌ Cons:
❌ Not ideal for heavy gaming (Struggles with ultra settings in demanding games)
❌ Lacks a flagship-level chipset (Slower than Snapdragon 8 series)
❌ No microSD slot (Storage is fixed)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| ⚙️ Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| 💾 RAM & Storage | 12GB LPDDR5 RAM 256GB UFS 3.1 Storage (No microSD expansion) |
| 📊 Benchmark Scores | Antutu: ~650,000 (Estimated) Geekbench: ~1000 (Single-Core), ~3200 (Multi-Core) |
| 🎮 Gaming Performance | Smooth on Medium to High settings Struggles with Ultra settings in heavy games (e.g., Genshin Impact, PUBG) |
| 🌡 Thermal Management | Good cooling, no major overheating issues |
| 🔄 Software Optimization | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) Lightweight and bloat-free experience |
| ✅ Pros | ✔️ Smooth multitasking & daily performance ✔️ Optimized software for efficiency ✔️ Good RAM management |
| ❌ Cons | ❌ Not ideal for heavy gaming ❌ Weaker than flagship chips ❌ Fixed storage (No SD card slot) |
| ⭐ Final Score | 7.5/10 – Great for everyday tasks, but not a power-user’s dream. |
🔹 Verdict: A reliable mid-range performer, but not for power users. Great for daily use, but heavy gamers and professionals may want more power.
Photos – Videos Recording Review 📷
“Impressive Versatility with a Standout Telephoto Lens“
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro surprises in the camera department, offering a flagship-like 50MP periscope telephoto lens, which is rare in this price segment. The 50MP main sensor delivers sharp and well-balanced images, while the 8MP ultrawide lens is serviceable but not outstanding. The 50MP front camera is a strong performer for selfies and vlogging, supporting 4K video recording.
Low-light photography is decent with Night Mode, but dynamic range could be better in challenging conditions. The periscope zoom lens is the real highlight, delivering 3x optical zoom and up to 10x hybrid zoom with good detail retention.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| 📸 Rear Cameras | 50MP Main Sensor (f/1.8, OIS + EIS) 50MP Periscope Telephoto (f/2.5, 3x Optical Zoom, 10x Hybrid Zoom, OIS) 8MP Ultrawide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) |
| 🤳 Front Camera | 50MP (f/2.0, EIS), 4K video recording (30fps), 1080p at 60fps |
| 🎥 Video Recording | Rear: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps Front: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps |
| 🌙 Low-Light Performance | Good Night Mode on main and telephoto cameras, but dynamic range struggles in complex lighting |
| 🔄 Stabilization | OIS + EIS (Effective for both photos and videos) |
| 🎯 Autofocus | Fast and reliable, but some minor focus hunting in video mode |
| 🔍 Zoom Capabilities | 3x Optical, 10x Hybrid – Sharp details at 3x, slight noise beyond 5x |
| ✅ Pros | ✔️ Flagship-level periscope zoom lens ✔️ Sharp and clear main sensor ✔️ Good Night Mode and stabilization ✔️ 4K recording on both front and rear |
| ❌ Cons | ❌ Ultrawide lens lacks detail ❌ Dynamic range could be improved ❌ No dedicated macro mode |
| ⭐ Final Score | 8.5/10 – Strong telephoto and main sensor, but ultrawide and HDR need refinement. |
✅ Pros:
✔️ 50MP Periscope Telephoto (3x Optical Zoom) – Rare in this segment
✔️ Sharp and well-exposed shots from the 50MP main sensor
✔️ Good low-light performance with Night Mode
✔️ 4K video recording on both front and rear cameras
✔️ EIS + OIS stabilization helps with steady shots and videos
❌ Cons:
❌ 8MP ultrawide lens is underwhelming (lower detail than main and telephoto sensors)
❌ Dynamic range could be better in tricky lighting conditions
❌ No macro lens or advanced AI photography features
🔹 Verdict: A strong camera setup, especially for zoom photography, but ultrawide and dynamic range improvements could make it even better.
Battery Life & Charging 🔋
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro delivers all-day battery life with its 5,000mAh battery, optimized for efficient power consumption. The 50W fast charging is impressive, charging 0-50% in just 19 minutes and a full charge in under an hour. However, the lack of wireless charging is a notable omission, especially for a phone with a premium design.
Battery efficiency is well-managed thanks to Nothing OS 3.1’s optimization and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3’s power efficiency, making it a great choice for everyday users. Even with heavy usage, it comfortably lasts a full day.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔋 Battery Capacity | 5,000mAh |
| ⚡ Charging Speed | 50W wired fast charging (USB-C, 0-50% in 19 min, full charge in ~55 min) |
| 🔄 Efficiency | Good battery optimization with Nothing OS 3.1 |
| 📅 Battery Life (Usage) | 1.5 days on moderate use, 1 full day on heavy use |
| 🔌 Wireless Charging | ❌ Not supported |
| 🔋 Standby Time | Up to 3 days on light use |
| ✅ Pros | ✔️ Large 5,000mAh battery ✔️ Fast 50W charging ✔️ Efficient power management |
| ❌ Cons | ❌ No wireless charging ❌ Not the fastest wired charging in the segment |
| ⭐ Final Score | 8.5/10 – Strong battery life and fast charging, but missing wireless charging. |
✅ Pros:
✔️ 5,000mAh battery ensures all-day battery life
✔️ 50W fast charging (0-50% in 19 minutes, full charge <1 hour)
✔️ Good battery optimization with Nothing OS 3.1
✔️ Efficient power consumption for daily tasks
❌ Cons:
❌ No wireless charging support
❌ Not the fastest charging in the segment (some competitors offer 80W or more)
🔹 Verdict: Reliable battery life with fast charging, but the lack of wireless charging is a downside.
Software, Connectivity & Other Features
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro runs on Nothing OS 3.1 (based on Android 15), offering a bloat-free, near-stock experience with a few unique additions like Essential Key and Essential Space. The software is lightweight, well-optimized, and responsive, ensuring smooth performance. Nothing promises 3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security patches, which is decent but falls slightly short of some competitors.
In terms of connectivity, it supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and USB-C (USB 3.1) for fast data transfers. However, there’s no expandable storage and no 3.5mm headphone jack, which might be a dealbreaker for some.
Other features like stereo speakers, Dirac-tuned sound, and an in-display fingerprint sensor add to the premium experience. The haptic feedback is also well-optimized, providing a satisfying user interaction.
✅ Pros:
✔️ Clean and smooth software (Nothing OS 3.1, Android 15)
✔️ 3 years of Android updates & 4 years of security patches
✔️ Comprehensive connectivity (5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC)
✔️ Good haptics and audio experience
❌ Cons:
❌ No microSD card slot (fixed storage only)
❌ No 3.5mm headphone jack
❌ 3 years of OS updates is decent but not industry-leading
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| 🛠 OS & UI | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) – Clean, lightweight, minimal bloatware |
| 📆 Software Updates | 3 years of Android updates, 4 years of security patches |
| 📡 Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C (USB 3.1) |
| 🎧 Audio | Stereo speakers, Dirac-tuned sound, No 3.5mm headphone jack |
| 📍 GPS & Sensors | Dual-band GPS, In-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
| 💾 Storage Expansion | ❌ No microSD slot (fixed storage) |
| 🎮 Extra Features | Good haptic feedback, Essential Key & Essential Space features |
| ✅ Pros | ✔️ Clean & bloat-free UI ✔️ Good software update policy ✔️ Comprehensive connectivity ✔️ Good audio & haptic experience |
| ❌ Cons | ❌ No expandable storage ❌ No headphone jack ❌ 3 years of OS updates could be longer |
| ⭐ Final Score | 8.5/10 – Smooth software & strong connectivity, but lacks some user conveniences. |
A Well-Priced Mid-Range Powerhouse
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro positions itself as a compelling mid-range smartphone, balancing premium features with a competitive price. With a starting price of €469 in Europe and £449 in the UK, it delivers flagship-like features such as a 50MP periscope zoom camera, a 120Hz OLED display, and 50W fast charging—all at a fraction of the cost of true flagship devices.
Currently available in a single 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant, the Phone (3a) Pro comes in a sleek Gray finish. Pre-orders began on March 4, 2025, with general availability starting March 25, 2025 across major markets. While the device is not the absolute cheapest in its segment, it justifies its price with an impressive hardware-software balance and Nothing’s minimalist design ethos.
✅ Pros:
✔️ Competitive pricing for its features
✔️ Premium build and unique design
✔️ Available across multiple regions with strong retail presence
❌ Cons:
❌ Limited to one color and storage variant
❌ No ultra-budget variant for price-sensitive users
Should You Buy the Nothing Phone 3a Pro?
⭐ Rating: 8.7/10
Who Should Buy It?
✅ Tech enthusiasts who appreciate a unique, transparent design
✅ Users who want a clean, near-stock Android experience
✅ Photographers looking for a periscope zoom lens in a mid-range device
✅ Those needing a reliable daily driver with good battery life and fast charging
Who Might Skip It?
❌ Power users looking for flagship performance (No Snapdragon 8 series chip)
❌ Users who need expandable storage
❌ Those who prefer wireless charging or a headphone jack
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Price list
Nothing 3a Pro (12GB RAM, 256GB Storage) Best Values
Check out the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Official Trailer
Video Source: Nothing Phone
