Nothing, a tech company from London, has made a name for itself with unique Android phones that break away from the typical gray designs. The new Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro continue this trend, boasting impressive specifications, budget-friendly prices, and a flashy LED design that catches the eye.
The Nothing Phone 3A starts at $379, featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. In the UK, you can choose a smaller version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for £329, or get the full model for £379. The 3A Pro, which has a better camera system than the base model, uses the same processor and display and is priced at $459 (£449) for the 12GB/256GB variant.
I’ve been putting the Nothing Phone 3A Pro to the test in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress. I’m impressed with how it balances price and performance, and I’m curious to see how it measures up against other budget-friendly devices, like the new Samsung Galaxy A series and the Google Pixel 8A, alongside more expensive options like the iPhone 16E.
Eye-catching design
Touching lights? Yes, please.
The design of these phones really grabs attention. The glass back shows screws and data ribbons, giving it a cool, industrial vibe. The LED lights, called Glyphs, surround the cameras and flash to let you know about incoming notifications. It’s a fun and one-of-a-kind feature.
Both phones have a 6.7-inch display that looks bright and colorful, even on a gray day in Barcelona. They also come with an IP68 water resistance rating, making it easy to use them in the rain without worry.
Solid performance
The display is colorful and clear.
These phones use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, which provided good performance in my tests. While it may not match flagship models, the 3A Pro holds its own against phones like the Pixel 8A and Galaxy A35 5G.
Daily tasks and popular games like Alto’s Odyssey and Vampire Survivors worked smoothly on these devices.
Software and AI Features
Both the 3A and 3A Pro run on Android 15 but with a unique, minimalist interface. Some may find the black-and-white app icons hard to differentiate, but you can customize them as needed. Nothing guarantees six years of software and security updates, which is quite appealing for the price.
The phone comes with tools like Gemini Advanced, Gemini Live, and Circle to Search. One feature I found interesting is Essential Space, a hub for jotting down notes, ideas, and screenshots throughout your day.
The Essential Space is where you can store your thoughts and ideas.
Spotted something you like? Use the camera and the Essential Space button to snap a picture along with a voice memo. Need a shopping list? You can voice-dictate it directly to your Space. While it currently feels limited, this feature shows promise. Essential Space is still in beta, and more updates are planned.
Camera Capabilities
Both models sport 50-megapixel main cameras. While the Pro version claims to have enhanced autofocus and dynamic range, my thoughts are based on the Phone 3A Pro’s performance.
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This main camera captures vibrant, clear shots.
This shot captures a challenging scene with bright highlights and shadows well.
I like this black-and-white filter option a lot.
The ultrawide camera creates well-balanced shots.
The base Phone 3A offers a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, while the Pro version features a 50-megapixel periscope lens that allows for 3x optical zoom and 6x “in-sensor” zoom, which crops the sensor for extended zoom.
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This shot at 6x zoom remains sharp and clear.
The Phone 3A comes with a 32-megapixel front-facing camera, while the Pro version offers a larger 50-megapixel lens for sharper selfies.
A selfie testing the Pro’s front camera. The image is decent for a low-light setting.
Which to choose: Nothing Phone 3A, 3A Pro or another option?
Side-by-side of the Nothing 3A (left) and 3A Pro (right).
There’s not much difference between these two models. They share the same processor, display, and battery. The main differences lie in the Pro’s added zoom capabilities and a higher-res front camera. If photography is important to you, go for the Pro. If not, save some cash with the base model.
Both options provide a strong user experience at reasonable prices. For $379, you get a phone that handles everyday tasks easily, especially when compared to the iPhone 16E, which is priced at $599. However, if you can wait, check out Samsung’s new Galaxy A26 and A36 or keep an eye out for the upcoming Pixel 9A.
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