Nothing Unleashes Mid-Range Powerhouses: Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro Detailed
Following the success of the Phone (2a), Nothing is doubling down on the mid-range market with the introduction of two new contenders: the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. Building upon the foundations laid by their predecessor, these new devices promise a blend of stylish design, enhanced performance, and upgraded features, all while maintaining an accessible price point. Let’s dive into the specifics of what makes the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro tick, highlighting their similarities, differences, and the exciting new features Nothing is bringing to the table.
Both the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro share a common core, ensuring a consistent user experience across the board. At the heart of this experience is the display: a vibrant 6.77-inch LTPS AMOLED panel. This display boasts an adaptive refresh rate ranging from a power-saving 30Hz to a smooth 120Hz, optimizing battery life and ensuring fluid visuals. A significant upgrade from the Phone (2a) is the peak brightness, which now reaches a blinding 3,000 nits, promising excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.
Powering these devices is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. This represents a notable upgrade from the MediaTek processor found in the Phone (2a), with Nothing claiming a substantial 33% increase in overall performance and an impressive 92% boost specifically for AI-related tasks. This translates to snappier app loading times, smoother multitasking, and enhanced performance in AI-driven features. This processing power is paired with either 8GB of RAM (with the option for virtual RAM expansion) or a generous 12GB of RAM, coupled with storage options of either 128GB or 256GB, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos.
In terms of battery life, both the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro retain the 5,000 mAh battery found in their predecessor. However, charging speeds have been significantly improved, now supporting 50W fast charging, enabling quicker top-ups and less downtime. The build quality has also received a notable upgrade, with both devices now featuring a glass backplate, enhancing the premium feel and contributing to improved durability. This upgraded construction allows for an IP64 dust and water resistance rating, a step up from the IP54 rating of the Phone (2a), providing greater peace of mind against accidental spills and exposure to the elements.
So, where do the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro diverge? The primary distinction lies in their camera systems. The Nothing Phone (3a) features a versatile setup comprised of a 50MP main camera, a 50MP 2x telephoto camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP front-facing camera. This configuration provides a solid foundation for capturing a variety of shots, from detailed landscapes to close-up portraits.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro takes the camera capabilities a step further. While it shares the same 50MP main camera, 50MP 2x telephoto camera, and 8MP ultrawide camera as the standard model, it swaps the 32MP front-facing camera for a third 50MP sensor. This indicates a focus on selfie quality and potentially allows for features like enhanced depth sensing or wider field-of-view selfies. More significantly, the Pro model also incorporates upgraded sensors for the main and telephoto cameras, specifically a Samsung GNJ and Sony LTY-600, respectively. These higher-quality sensors should result in improved image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, with better detail, dynamic range, and overall clarity.
Another key difference is the inclusion of eSIM support exclusively on the Phone (3a) Pro. This feature, absent from the Phone (2a), allows users to utilize multiple phone numbers on a single device without the need for a physical SIM card, offering greater flexibility and convenience.
Beyond these core differences, the remaining distinctions are primarily aesthetic. The Phone (3a) Pro boasts a slightly thicker camera module to accommodate the enhanced camera hardware, and is also marginally heavier, weighing in at 211g compared to the standard model. The Pro also features a distinct and bolder camera arrangement on the back, visually setting it apart from its sibling.
On the software front, both devices run on Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1 out of the box. Nothing is committing to a generous 6 years of updates, ensuring long-term software support. However, only 3 years of these updates will be full Android OS upgrades.
Nothing OS 3.1 introduces several new features, including tweaks to the Gallery, Camera, and Weather apps. The most significant addition is "Essential Space," a new AI-powered experience designed to be a central hub for notes, ideas, and inspirations. This feature is launching in early access for the Phone (3a) series. A dedicated "Essential Key" on the side of both devices, unfortunately non-remappable, is directly linked to Essential Space. Pressing the key takes a screenshot that is automatically saved in Essential Space. Holding the key down allows for voice recordings, while a double-tap opens the Essential Space app. Nothing plans to expand the functionality of Essential Space in the coming months, with features like "Camera Capture, Smart Collections, Focused Search, and Flip to Record" slated for future release. These AI-powered features are expected to be further expanded upon with the release of the Phone (3).
The Nothing Phone (3a) will be available in white, black, and blue, priced at £379 / $379 / €379 for the 12GB+256GB model. The Phone (3a) Pro will cost £449 / $459 / €459 / ₹33,999 for the same configuration. Due to limited band support for some carriers in the United States, both devices will be available through Nothing’s “Beta Program” in the US. Orders for the Phone (3a) begin today, with deliveries starting on March 11th. The Phone (3a) Pro will be available for order on March 11th, with deliveries scheduled to commence on March 25th.
In conclusion, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro represent a compelling step forward for Nothing in the mid-range smartphone market. With their upgraded displays, powerful processors, improved camera systems, and a focus on AI-powered features, these devices offer a balanced combination of style, performance, and value. While the differences between the two models are primarily centered on the camera system and eSIM support, both offer a solid foundation for a premium mid-range experience. The introduction of Essential Space and the dedicated Essential Key signals Nothing’s ambition to integrate AI more deeply into the user experience, and it will be interesting to see how these features evolve in future iterations. Whether you prioritize camera capabilities or seek the added convenience of eSIM support, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro present attractive options for consumers seeking a stylish and capable smartphone without breaking the bank.
