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Nothing Phone (3a) Review: The smartphone market is constantly evolving, and Nothing, the tech brand founded by Carl Pei, has been making waves with its unique design philosophy and minimalist approach. With the launch of the Nothing Phone (3a), the company continues its mission to deliver a premium experience at an affordable price. But does it live up to the expectations? Let’s dive deep into its features, performance, and overall value.
Design and Build Quality
Nothing has always focused on aesthetics, and the Phone (3a) is no exception. It retains the brand’s signature transparent design, showcasing some of its internal components. The LED glyph interface at the back continues to be a standout feature, providing visual notifications, charging indicators, and customizable lighting effects.
The Phone (3a) is built with a sturdy aluminum frame, ensuring a premium feel. The Corning Gorilla Glass protection on both the front and back adds durability. Despite its eye-catching design, the phone remains lightweight and comfortable to hold.
Display
Nothing Phone (3a) features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and immersive experience. The Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) ensures sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making it perfect for gaming, streaming, and everyday use.
The peak brightness of 1200 nits ensures good visibility under direct sunlight. The in-display fingerprint sensor works reliably, providing quick and secure access to the device.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (3a) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, which is optimized for efficiency and performance. Paired with 8GB/12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB/256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, the device handles multitasking and demanding applications with ease.
In everyday use, the Phone (3a) delivers a snappy and lag-free experience. Whether you’re browsing the web, using social media, or switching between multiple apps, the performance remains smooth. The Adreno 720 GPU ensures good gaming performance, handling titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings.
Software and User Experience
Nothing OS 3.0, based on Android 14, powers the Phone (3a). It stays true to the brand’s minimalist philosophy, offering a clean, bloatware-free experience. The software is well-optimized, with smooth animations and useful features like the Glyph interface customizations, Always-on Display, and intuitive gesture controls.
Nothing promises three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, making it a reliable choice for long-term users.
Cameras
Nothing has focused on delivering a balanced camera system with the Phone (3a). The device features a dual-camera setup on the rear:
- 50MP primary sensor (f/1.8, OIS) – Sony IMX890
- 50MP ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2, 114-degree FoV)
The main camera captures detailed and vibrant shots in daylight. The OIS helps in reducing blur and improving low-light photography. The ultra-wide camera maintains good color accuracy and dynamic range.
For selfies, the 32MP front camera delivers sharp and natural-looking results. Video recording goes up to 4K at 60fps, with good stabilization and clarity.
Battery Life and Charging
The Nothing Phone (3a) houses a 4700mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a full day with moderate to heavy usage. The power-efficient chipset and software optimizations help in maintaining battery longevity.
Charging speeds are decent, with 45W fast wired charging that takes the device from 0 to 100% in about 50 minutes. Wireless charging at 15W and reverse wireless charging at 5W add to its versatility.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Phone (3a) supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. The stereo speakers deliver rich audio with decent bass, enhancing the multimedia experience.
There is no headphone jack, which might disappoint some users. However, Nothing offers high-quality audio output via Bluetooth and USB-C wired options.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique transparent design with Glyph interface
- Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
- Reliable performance with Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
- Clean, bloat-free Nothing OS 3.0
- Decent cameras with OIS support
- Good battery life with fast and wireless charging
Cons:
- No official IP rating for water resistance
- No expandable storage
- No headphone jack
- Camera performance could be better in low-light conditions
The Nothing Phone (3a) is an excellent mid-range smartphone that offers a unique design, clean software, and solid performance. It stands out with its transparent back and Glyph interface, making it a great option for those who want something different.
For users looking for a stylish phone with a near-stock Android experience and decent performance, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a strong contender. However, if you prioritize expandable storage, an IP rating, or the absolute best camera performance, there might be better alternatives in this price range.
Overall, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts and casual users alike, bringing a fresh perspective to the mid-range segment.
