Nothing took center stage at MWC 2025 to unveil its latest additions to the smartphone market: the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. These devices boast a distinctive design that is both unique and oddly familiar, embodying Nothing’s signature aesthetic. It’s an intriguing blend, but one thing is certain—both phones are visually striking, and there’s nothing quite like them available today.
At first glance, the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro may appear quite different from the rear, but they actually share many core specifications. Their similarities extend beyond design, making them more alike than one might expect.
Both devices feature a 6.77-inch AMOLED display and are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. They have identical battery capacities, closely matching external dimensions, and similar build materials. Additionally, they each sport a triple-camera setup on the back—a step up from the dual-camera system seen in the Nothing Phone (2a) series.
Nothing Phone (3a) – Key Specifications
- Body: 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4mm, 201g; aluminum frame, glass front and back; IP64-rated for dust and water resistance; three LED light strips on the back for notifications, camera fill light, and 26 addressable zones.
- Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED, 1 billion colors, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, brightness levels of 800 nits (typical), 1300 nits (HBM), and 3000 nits (peak); resolution of 1080×2392 pixels, 19.93:9 aspect ratio, and 387ppi pixel density.
- Processor: Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm); Octa-core (1×2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A520); Adreno 710 GPU (940 MHz).
- Memory Variants: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM.
- Operating System: Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1, promising three major Android upgrades.
- Rear Cameras:
- 50 MP main (wide) camera, f/1.9 aperture, 24mm lens, 1/1.57″ sensor, 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF, and OIS.
- 50 MP telephoto camera, f/2.0 aperture, 50mm lens, 1/2.74″ sensor, 0.64µm pixel size, PDAF (25cm – ∞), 2x optical zoom.
- 8 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2 aperture, 15mm lens, 120-degree field of view, 1/4.0″ sensor, 1.12µm pixel size.
- Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.2 aperture, 22mm lens, 1/3.44″ sensor.
- Video Recording:
- Rear: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with gyro-EIS and OIS.
- Front: 1080p@30fps.
- Battery: 5000mAh; 50W wired fast charging, reaching 50% in 19 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes.
- Connectivity: 5G support, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC.
- Additional Features: In-display optical fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, Circle to Search feature.
One of the key differences between the Phone (3a) and its Pro counterpart lies in the camera system. While the standard Phone (3a) is equipped with a traditional 2x telephoto lens, the Phone (3a) Pro steps it up with a 3x periscope-style telephoto lens, contributing to its noticeably larger camera module. The selfie cameras also vary between models, but we’ll delve deeper into that in the camera section.
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro – Key Specifications
- Body: 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4mm, 211g; aluminum frame, glass front and back; IP64-rated; three LED light strips on the back with 26 addressable zones.
- Display: Identical to the Phone (3a)—6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, peak brightness of 3000 nits, and 387ppi.
- Processor: Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm); Octa-core CPU with Adreno 710 GPU.
- Memory Variants: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM.
- Operating System: Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1, three major Android updates.
- Rear Cameras:
- 50 MP main (wide) camera, f/1.9 aperture, 24mm lens, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS.
- 50 MP periscope-style telephoto camera, f/2.6 aperture, 70mm lens, 1/1.95″ sensor, 0.8µm pixel size, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom.
- 8 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2 aperture, 15mm lens, 120-degree field of view.
- Front Camera: 50 MP, f/2.2 aperture, 24mm lens, 1/2.76″ sensor.
- Video Recording:
- Rear: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with gyro-EIS and OIS.
- Front: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps.
- Battery: 5000mAh; 50W wired fast charging, 50% in 19 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes.
- Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC.
- Additional Features: In-display optical fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, Circle to Search.
Unifying the Experience
Despite the camera differences, Nothing has worked to maintain a cohesive experience across both models. A notable addition to both devices is the Essential Key—a new side button positioned below the power button. This feature enables quick access to the Essential Space, allowing users to capture and send content or record voice notes with a simple press.
Naturally, the iconic Glyph Interface remains a standout feature on both models, consisting of three LED segments with 26 customizable light zones. These lights can respond to calls, notifications, and music playback, serve as a volume indicator, count down timers, or act as a fill light for the camera.
Hands-On With the Nothing Phone (3a)
The Nothing Phone (3a) inherits much of its design from the Phone (2a), but it introduces a third camera, expanding the horizontal camera island. The familiar semi-transparent aesthetic persists, ensuring that the device stands out in a sea of conventional smartphones.
Notably, Nothing has improved the build quality of its new devices. The Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro now feature a glass back instead of the polycarbonate material used in the Phone (2a) lineup. Additionally, ingress protection has been enhanced with an IP64 rating, making the phones resistant to dust and water splashes.
Sustainability remains a priority for Nothing. The aluminum mid-frame is made from 100% recycled materials, as is the tin used in six circuit boards and 85% of the steel in the phone’s stamped components. Even 60% of the plastic parts are sustainably sourced, and the packaging is entirely plastic-free.
Overall, the Nothing Phone (3a) series offers a compelling blend of innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design. Whether you opt for the standard or Pro model, you’re guaranteed a uniquely Nothing experience.
