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We have seen immense growth in smartphone technology and its features in the past few years, increasing the value of each phone that is manufactured. A smartphone is an integral part of everyday life and is incredibly useful. Flagship smartphones, in contrast, tend to have features which are much more sophisticated than the average consumer can afford. The Nothing Phone 3A dives into this market, providing cutting-edge convenience at a moderate cost. The increase in performance, sleek design and refined details make the Phone 3A destined for greatness. In this review, we will evaluate the product’s features as well as compare it to the Pro model and analyse the overall value of the product.
Overview of the Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro
Before diving into the specifics of the Nothing Phone 3A, it’s important to know the key differences between it and the Nothing Phone 3A Pro. The Pro model is priced at $449, significantly more expensive than the regular 3A ($329), and while both models share a lot of features, there are some noticeable differences.
Key Differences Between the Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro:
- Camera: The Pro model boasts a larger camera sensor, allowing for better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The regular 3A, however, offers solid camera performance for a more budget-friendly price.
- Design: The Pro model comes with a larger camera bump, which has drawn mixed reactions for its bulky look. The regular 3A has a more streamlined and balanced design.
- Storage: The Pro model comes with 256GB of storage as standard, whereas the 3A starts with 128GB of storage, though you can opt for the higher storage version for an extra cost.
While the Nothing Phone 3A is the more budget-friendly choice, the Pro model is geared towards users who are looking for top-tier performance, especially in terms of camera quality. Let’s now look at what you get in the box and the details of the phone itself.
What’s in the Box?
Unboxing the Nothing Phone 3A, you’re greeted with a very minimal yet functional setup. Here’s what you’ll find:
- The Nothing Phone 3A itself
- A USB-C cable (without the signature transparent tips, unlike some of Nothing’s other accessories)
- A SIM ejector pin
- Some basic documentation
Overall, the unboxing experience is simple and straightforward, keeping in line with the brand’s philosophy of minimalism.
Design and Build Quality
One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone 3A is its design. While the 3A and 3A Pro are similar in many respects, there are a few key differences that distinguish them from each other in terms of appearance.
Nothing Phone 3A Design:
- Display Size: Both the 3A and the 3A Pro sport a 6.8-inch display with noticeable bezels. These phones are large, so if you’re after something compact, you might want to look elsewhere.
- Colors: The 3A comes in three colors—white, black, and blue—with the blue variant standing out as a particularly attractive option. The Pro version, on the other hand, is available only in gray or black.
- Glass Back: Unlike its predecessor, the regular Nothing Phone 3A now features a glass back, giving it a more premium feel compared to the plastic used in earlier models.
- Camera Bump: The 3A has a smaller camera bump compared to the Pro, which some may find visually appealing, while others might prefer the bulkier design of the Pro model. Regardless of which you choose, both phones feature a distinctive dot matrix camera array.
- Protection: Both phones are protected by Panda Glass up front, which is known for being somewhat shatter-resistant. The phones also have an IP64 rating, making them dust-resistant and able to withstand light splashes of water.
Software and User Interface
Both the Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro come with Nothing OS 3.1, which is built on Android 15. This custom interface is one of the standout features of Nothing phones, as it combines a clean Android experience with a few unique touches that enhance its usability.
Nothing OS 3.1 Features:
- Essential Space: A new feature that allows users to quickly capture content and organize it. By pressing the Essential Key (located on the side), you can instantly take screenshots, record voice notes, or save images or notes. All these items are then stored in a “smart hub” called Essential Space for easy access.
- Glyph Lighting: One of the most distinctive aspects of the Nothing brand, the Glyph Lighting system, is still present. The 3A includes a triple LED light system that can act as a notification light, visualizing your incoming alerts. There is also a “Flip to Glyph” feature that activates Do Not Disturb mode when you place the phone face down.
- Customization: You can also customize your experience with widgets for Essential Space, which allows you to quickly glance at your recent captures or upcoming tasks.
Unfortunately, the Nothing Phone 3A lacks eSIM support, which may be a drawback for frequent travelers who need international connectivity.
Display and Media Consumption
The Nothing Phone 3A features a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, which is perfect for watching videos, browsing, and playing games. Here are the key display features:
Display Features:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: The 3A supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth animations, transitions, and scrolling.
- Brightness: While the display isn’t the brightest on the market, it’s bright enough for most scenarios. Even under direct sunlight, the screen is still readable, making it great for media consumption on the go.
- PWM Dimming: The 2160Hz PWM dimming technology ensures that users who are sensitive to screen flicker won’t experience discomfort when using the phone in low-light conditions.
The display is vibrant, with deep blacks and sharp contrasts thanks to the AMOLED panel, but it may not be the best for users who demand the absolute highest quality.
Performance and Gaming
The Nothing Phone 3A runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, which provides smooth performance for day-to-day tasks. Paired with 8GB of RAM (expandable with the 256GB storage variant), the phone handles multitasking and app-switching with ease.
Gaming:
While the 3A is not specifically marketed as a gaming phone, it performs decently in casual and mid-tier gaming. The gaming mode allows you to block notifications and optimize the phone’s performance during gameplay. Here’s what you can expect:
- Medium Settings: Casual games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers will run smoothly without any hiccups.
- More Demanding Games: High-end games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile will run on medium settings with occasional lag, especially when the settings are cranked up to high.
For serious gamers, the Nothing Phone 3A might not meet all your needs, but for most users, it’s more than enough to handle everyday tasks and gaming.
Camera Performance
The camera setup on the Nothing Phone 3A is solid, especially for the price, but it does have some limitations compared to the more expensive Pro model.
Camera Specifications:
- Main Camera: The 3A features a 50MP Samsung GN5 sensor as the primary camera. The images produced are quite good, with vibrant colors and decent detail, though it lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which means low-light photography can be a bit shaky.
- Ultra-Wide Camera: Both models use the same 8MP ultra-wide sensor, which performs well in most lighting conditions, though low light performance isn’t great.
- Telephoto Lens: Unlike the Pro model, which has a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, the 3A only has a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. The zoom quality is decent but not as sharp or clear as the Pro’s.
- Selfie Camera: The 3A’s 32MP selfie camera takes clear and detailed photos for selfies and video calls.
Both phones can record in 4K at 30fps and feature decent video stabilization, but the 3A lags behind the Pro in low-light conditions.
Battery Life
Both the Nothing Phone 3A and Nothing Phone 3A Pro feature a 5,000mAh battery, which is impressive for a mid-range device. The combination of an efficient Snapdragon chipset and a large battery ensures all-day performance, even with heavy usage.
Battery Highlights:
- All-Day Usage: You can expect to get 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time with regular use, including media streaming, social media browsing, and gaming.
- Fast Charging: Both phones support 50W wired charging, which ensures you can top up your battery quickly. Unfortunately, there is no wireless charging support, which is something to keep in mind if that’s an essential feature for you.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Nothing Phone 3A?
The Nothing Phone 3A is an impressive mid-range smartphone that offers fantastic value for money. With a large, vibrant display, solid performance, decent camera quality, and innovative features like Essential Space and Glyph Lighting, it punches well above its price range.
If you’re someone looking for budget-friendly tech with premium features, the Nothing Phone 3A is definitely worth considering. For users who don’t need the extra camera zoom or eSIM support, the regular 3A is a great choice.
However, if you prioritize top-tier photography, want more storage, or travel internationally frequently, the Nothing Phone 3A Pro might be a better option.
In the end, the Nothing Phone 3A stands as a strong contender in the mid-range market for 2025, offering a well-rounded package that includes premium features without the premium price.
