Nothing Phone (3a) & (3a) Pro: First Impressions & Hands-On Review

Explore our first impressions and hands-on review of the Nothing Phone (3a) & (3a) Pro, featuring key specs and standout features.

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At MWC 2025, Nothing introduced its new Phone (3a) series, featuring a unique yet familiar design. Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro stand out with their distinctive looks, while maintaining the brand’s signature style.

While both models share similar specifications, such as a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, and a 5000mAh battery, the key difference lies in the camera setups. The Phone (3a) comes with a traditional 2x telephoto lens, while the Pro model offers a 3x periscope-style zoom lens for enhanced photography. The Pro also features a higher-resolution 50 MP front camera.

Both phones have an aluminum frame, glass front and back, IP64 water resistance, and LED light strips on the back. They run Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1 and are designed to deliver a smooth and secure user experience.

Notable features include the new Essential Key, allowing users to access essential functions quickly. The signature Glyph interface remains, lighting up with customizable notifications and features.

Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro share many similarities, the Pro model offers advanced camera features and other enhancements for users who want the best of Nothing’s latest offerings.

Nothing Phone (3a) vs. Nothing Phone (3a) Pro – Full Specs Comparison

Category	Nothing Phone (3a) 📱	Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 📱
📺 Display	6.77-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 2392×1080, HDR10, 1300 nits HBM, 3000 nits peak, 480Hz touch sampling, 1000Hz in gaming mode, 2160Hz PWM dimming	6.77-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 2392×1080, HDR10, 1300 nits HBM, 3000 nits peak, 480Hz touch sampling, 1000Hz in gaming mode, 2160Hz PWM dimming
📀 OS	Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15)	Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15)
⚙️ Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
💾 RAM	8GB / 12GB	8GB / 12GB
💽 Storage	128GB / 256GB	128GB / 256GB
📸 Rear Camera 1 (Main)	50MP, f/1.88, Samsung (1/1.57″), OIS, PDAF, 4K@30fps	50MP, f/1.88, Samsung (1/1.56″), OIS, Dual-Pixel PDAF, 4K@30fps
🔭 Rear Camera 2 (Telephoto)	50MP, f/2.0, Samsung (1/2.74″), 2x optical zoom, EIS, Autofocus	50MP, f/2.55, Sony (1/1.95″), 3x periscope zoom, OIS, Autofocus
🌄 Rear Camera 3 (Ultrawide)	8MP, f/2.2, Sony, 120° FoV	8MP, f/2.2, Sony, 120° FoV
🤳 Front Camera	32MP, f/2.2, Samsung (1/3.44″)	50MP, f/2.2, Samsung (1/2.76″)
💧 Water/Dust Resistance	IP64 (Dust & splash resistant)	IP64 (Dust & splash resistant)
📡 Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, 5G, NFC, GPS, dual nano-SIM	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, 5G, NFC, GPS, dual nano-SIM
🔒 Security	Optical in-display fingerprint sensor	Optical in-display fingerprint sensor
🔊 Audio	Stereo speakers, 2 mics, USB-C	Stereo speakers, 2 mics, USB-C
🔋 Battery	5000mAh, 50W wired charging	5000mAh, 50W wired charging
⚖️ Weight	201g	211g
📏 Dimensions	163.52 x 77.5 x 8.35 mm	163.52 x 77.5 x 8.39 mm
🎨 Colors	Black, White, Blue	Grey, Black
📅 Software Updates	3 OS updates (Android 18), 6 years security updates	3 OS updates (Android 18), 6 years security updates

Nothing Phone (3a) Hands-On: A Bold Design with Smart Upgrades

Let’s start with the standard model and work our way to the Pro. While both phones are very similar, the main difference is in the design, especially at the back.

The standard Nothing Phone (3a) keeps the horizontal camera design from the Phone (2a) but adds a third camera. The rest of the look is familiar, with the signature transparent design that sets Nothing apart from the competition.

Both phones feature the Glyph Interface on the back, which includes three light segments and 26 customizable lights. These can react to ringtones, notifications, music, or even as a fill light for the camera. You can also use it for things like a volume indicator or timer countdown.

The build materials have improved. Both Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro now have glass backs instead of the polycarbonate material on the Phone (2a). We’re unsure if they use the same Panda Glass on the back as the front, but it’s definitely hardened glass.

Nothing phones are now IP64 rated, meaning they are dust-tight and resistant to water splashes, though not fully waterproof.

Nothing has also focused on sustainability. The middle frame is made of 100% recycled aluminum, and many other materials used in the phone are sustainably sourced. The packaging is also completely plastic-free.

From the front, the phones look nearly identical with the same 6.77-inch display. It’s brighter than before, with 800 nits of standard brightness, 1,300 nits at peak brightness, and up to 3,000 nits for HDR content, making it easy to see even in direct sunlight.

Nothing Phone (3a) is large but comfortable to hold, with a nice in-hand feel. The aluminum frame feels like vinyl but is still pleasant to touch. The buttons are responsive, and there’s a fast, accurate in-display fingerprint reader.

One new feature is the Essential Key on the right side of the phone, just below the power button. This key gives you access to the Essential Space, where you can store and access content, record voice notes, and more.

The 5,000 mAh battery capacity remains the same, but with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3’s efficiency and software optimizations, Nothing claims the Phone (3a) can last up to two days. It also charges quickly, with 50% battery in just 20 minutes. The battery should retain 90% of its capacity after about 1,200 charges.

Hands-on with the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro looks a lot like its sibling, the 3a, but stands out with a few key differences. The back features a large round camera island for a 3x telephoto camera, while maintaining the brand’s signature faux-transparent design that sets it apart from other phones.

The Glyph Interface on the back is still here, with 26 customizable lights that react to ringtones, notifications, music, and more. It also serves as a fill light for the rear camera.

The phone’s back is now made of glass, replacing the polycarbonate of the previous model. It’s unclear if it uses the same Panda Glass as the front, but it’s definitely a durable material. The phone is also now IP64 rated, meaning it can withstand splashes and rain, but shouldn’t be submerged in water.

Sustainability is a focus for Nothing, with the aluminum middle frame made from 100% recycled material, as well as sustainable sourcing for 60% of the plastic parts and plastic-free packaging.

The front features a new 6.77-inch display that’s slightly larger than the previous model, with impressive brightness—up to 3,000 nits in HDR mode.

Handling feels solid and comfortable, though the Pro is a little heavier. The matte aluminum frame has a plastic-like appearance, and the buttons are responsive. The in-display fingerprint reader is quick and accurate.

A new feature is the Essential Key, located beneath the power button, which lets you capture content, record voice notes, or access saved content.

The battery is the same 5,000 mAh as the previous model, but with a more efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip. It offers up to two days of battery life, with a quick 20-minute charge to 50%. Nothing also promises that the battery will retain 90% of its capacity after around 1,200 charges.

Nothing Phone (3a) & (3a) Pro: Software and Performance

The Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro run on Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1, offering three years of Android updates and six years of security patches. The system has a unique look, with updated apps like Gallery and Camera.

Customization is key, with features like Smart Drawer to organize apps and behavioral learning algorithms to improve speed and multitasking. The new Essential Space helps organize daily tasks with AI, allowing you to send, annotate, and categorize photos or voice memos with ease.

Both models are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage in the Pro version. The regular 3a has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage by default, with other variants available.

In benchmark tests like GeekBench and AnTuTu, the Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro show strong performance, with the Pro version scoring slightly better than the regular 3a. The phones perform well against competitors, especially in CPU and AI tasks, making them future-ready.

Nothing Phone (3a) & (3a) Pro: Camera Hardware

The biggest difference between Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro is their camera hardware. Both phones have a 50MP main sensor made by Samsung, but the Pro version has a more advanced sensor that captures more light. The main sensors might be the Samsung ISOCELL GHJ and ISOCELL GN9, but that’s not confirmed.

The telephoto cameras are also different. The Phone (3a) has a 50MP 2x telephoto lens with EIS, while the Phone (3a) Pro has a 50MP 3x periscope-style telephoto lens with OIS. The Pro version uses a Sony LYTIA 600 sensor, while the 3a uses a different Samsung sensor.

Both phones have the same ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view, using a Sony IMX 355 sensor.

For selfies, the Pro has a 50MP front camera with 4K video, while the 3a has a 32MP selfie camera.

Nothing’s TrueLens Engine 3.0 enhances photos with AI for better tonal balance, sharpness, and depth in both highlights and shadows.

Early Verdict

Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro stick to Nothing’s signature style while adding a third telephoto camera. If telephoto is important to you, the Pro is the better choice, but the 2x zoom on the standard model should be enough for most users.

Both phones share the same excellent display and run on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, which offers solid performance despite not being a flagship chip. The three-year software support is decent, though not industry-leading. Features like the Essential Key and Essential Space are interesting but may feel like gimmicks to some users.

Both phones are well-rounded with plenty to like. If you’re drawn to Nothing’s unique approach, they’re a solid buy. Otherwise, you might want to wait for a full review.