The Nothing Phone (3a) combines eye-catching design with solid performance in India’s competitive mid-range segment. Its standout display and camera system impress, making it ideal for style-conscious users. Gaming performance and water resistance, however, could be better.

Design and Display

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a transparent glass back with distinctive Glyph LED notifications, available in Black, White, and Blue. Its 6.77-inch AMOLED display boasts 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits of peak brightness – outshining the Phone (2a)’s 1,300 nits. The new AI-powered Essential Key adds functionality, though the glass back is slippery and the IP64 rating trails behind the Poco X7 Pro’s IP68 protection.

Operating System

Running Nothing OS 3.1 on Android 15, the Phone (3a) offers a clean interface that improves upon the Phone (2a)’s OS 2.5. It promises three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, behind Samsung’s seven-year commitment for the Galaxy A56.

Processor

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset handles everyday tasks smoothly but struggles with demanding games compared to the Poco F6’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.

Camera

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide – upgrading from the Phone (2a)’s dual-camera system. The telephoto lens is a standout addition rarely found at this price point. Daylight photos deliver vibrant colors that surpass the Redmi Note 14 Pro in accuracy, while night mode shows improvement over the Phone (2a) but still struggles in extremely low light compared to the Poco X7 Pro.

The ultra-wide lens suffers from edge distortion, lagging behind the Motorola Edge 50 Neo, and digital zoom beyond 4x degrades noticeably. The 32MP selfie camera performs well in good lighting but falls short of the Galaxy A56’s 50MP front camera indoors. Video recording at 4K 30fps is stable on the main camera, while the ultra-wide is limited to 1080p. The Essential Key’s AI photo features add creative options but need refinement.

RAM and Storage

Available with 8GB or 12GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB storage, the Phone (3a) lacks expandable storage unlike the Moto G Power 2025.

Sound

Stereo speakers deliver clear audio, improving upon the Phone (2a)’s mono speaker, though bass remains limited compared to the Redmi Note 14 Pro.

Battery

The 5,000mAh battery lasts a full day with 50W fast charging reaching 50% in 25 minutes, though no charger is included and wireless charging is absent.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Distinctive design with Glyph LED system
• Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display
• Dependable battery life with fast charging
• Versatile camera with telephoto lens
• Clean Nothing OS 3.1

Cons

• Limited IP64 water resistance
• No included charger or wireless charging
• Underwhelming gaming performance
• No expandable storage

Market Buzz

Users praise the Phone (3a)’s unique design and display quality, while criticizing low-light camera performance and gaming capabilities.

Pricing

• 8GB RAM/128GB storage: ₹24,999
• 8GB RAM/256GB storage: ₹26,999
• 12GB RAM/256GB storage: ₹29,999

Final Verdict

The Nothing Phone (3a) excels in style and everyday performance, offering strong value under ₹30,000 for Indian buyers seeking distinctive design with capable cameras.