Nothing is back with another head-turner—the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro. After making waves with their transparent design and Glyph interface, Carl Pei’s brainchild is now pushing into the premium mid-range segment. But the real question is, does the 3a series live up to the hype or is it just another design-heavy gimmick?
What’s Under the Hood?
• Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• RAM & Storage: 12GB RAM | 128GB/256GB Storage
• Battery: 5,000mAh with 45W fast charging
• OS: Nothing OS 2.5 (Android 14)
Nothing sticks to its clean, bloat-free, and unique approach with its custom OS, promising faster updates and smoother performance. But does it hold up against the competition?
Cameras – Upgrade or More of the Same?
• Nothing Phone 3a: Dual-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and an ultra-wide lens
• Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Triple-camera setup with an additional 3x telephoto lens
Nothing’s cameras have always been good, but not Pixel or iPhone level. While the 3a series promises improved AI optimization and better low-light shots, it still has to prove itself against the likes of OnePlus and Samsung in this price range.
Design – Still the Showstopper?
If you loved the Nothing Phone 2a’s transparent back, you’re going to like this one too. The design remains sleek, minimal, and refreshingly different, with an upgraded Glyph Interface that offers more customization. Build quality feels solid, but Nothing hasn’t mentioned any IP rating yet.
Pricing & Availability
• Nothing Phone 3a: Starts at ₹25,000
• Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Starts at ₹30,000
• Available on: Flipkart and major retail stores
At this price, the Nothing Phone 3a competes directly with OnePlus Nord 3, iQOO Neo 7 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy A54.
Why You Should Buy It
• Unique transparent design that stands out from the crowd
• Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display for an immersive experience
• Stock Android-like experience with timely updates
• Decent cameras with good daylight performance
Why You Might Skip It
• Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is not as powerful as MediaTek Dimensity 8200 or Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in rival phones
• No wireless charging, which is expected in a premium mid-ranger
• Software optimizations are still needed, as Nothing OS lacks the polish of One UI or OxygenOS
Verdict – Buy or Pass?
If you are tired of generic glass slabs and want something unique, the Nothing Phone 3a series is a solid pick. It is not a performance beast, but it delivers a clean UI, smooth display, and stylish aesthetics. If raw power is what you’re after, you might want to look elsewhere.
Would you pick the Nothing Phone 3a or go for the tried-and-tested OnePlus, iQOO, or Samsung options? Let us know.
