Nothing Phone 3(a) or Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro? Or should you wait for the Nothing Phone 3?

Nothing Phone (3a) is a mid-range smartphone that focuses especially on design and a clean software experience. It strikes a good balance between hardware and software, making it ideal for users who prefer a unique look and a bloatware-free Android experience

Display

The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro both feature a large 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2392 pixels resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The screen supports 1 billion colors with HDR10+ and offers a peak brightness of up to 3000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The displays provide vibrant, accurate colors and fluid scrolling, making them a premium experience for mid-range smartphones.

The main difference in the 3a Pro is in build quality and cameras, but the display specs are very similar between the two models.

Nothing Phone 3a
Nothing Phone 3a Pro
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (Octa-core up to 2.5 GHz)
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
Both phones use the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset with up to 8GB RAM, offering smooth and efficient performance.

Software

Both phones run on Nothing OS 3.1, which is based on Android 15, delivering a clean, smooth, and near-stock Android experience.
Nothing promises 3 years of Android version updates and 6 years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support.
Nothing OS 3.1 features a unique Dot Engine design with custom apps, widgets (18 in total), and a signature dot matrix font offering a distinctive and cohesive UI aesthetic.
The notification shade and quick toggles combine elements of AOSP and Nothing’s own style, including a mix of large rectangles and smaller circles.
The OS includes a dedicated “Essential Key” button that enables quick screenshot capture and voice note recording, integrated with the AI-powered “Essential Space” feature to organize digital content smartly.
The software interface is minimalistic with no bloatware, and offers customization options like Nothing Widgets, lock screen customization, and a Wallpaper Studio.
Security features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, power-off password verification, and a “Privacy Space” that safeguards sensitive apps and data.
The phones have an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance.

Camera

Triple rear camera setup:
- 50MP main camera with OIS (Samsung sensor, f/1.9 aperture)
- 50MP telephoto camera (Samsung sensor) with 2x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom
- 8MP ultra-wide camera (Sony sensor) with 120° field of view
Front camera:
- 32MP selfie camera (Samsung sensor)
Features:
- All cameras support Ultra HDR photos
- Main and front cameras can record 4K video, though front camera video recording is limited to 1080p
- Strong video stabilization on 4K at 30fps
- AI enhancements for photo optimization and scene detection
The main camera is praised for natural colors, good dynamic range (sometimes inconsistent in sunlight), and clear details.
Telephoto lens performs well with good detail retention after zoom.
Ultra-wide lens is decent with good dynamic range but less detail compared to primary camera.

5000mAh battery – comfortably lasts all day.
Stereo speakers – provide a good sound experience.
In-display fingerprint sensor is located at the bottom.
IP64 rating – protected against dust and water splashes, but not suitable for immersion in water.

Nothing Phone (3a) is a balanced mid-range smartphone that excels in design, software, and performance. Although the camera performance could be better in some situations, its unique look and pure Android experience make it special.

Specification	Nothing Phone 3a	Nothing Phone 3a Pro
Dimensions	163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm	163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm
Weight	201 g	211 g
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2392, 120Hz	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2392, 120Hz
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM	8GB / 12GB	12GB
Storage	128GB / 256GB	256GB
Rear Cameras	50MP main (wide), 8MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (2x zoom)	50MP main (wide), 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto (3x zoom)
Front Camera	32MP	50MP
Battery	5000mAh, 50W wired charging	5000mAh, 50W wired charging
IP Rating	IP64 (dust and splash resistant)	IP68 (dust and water resistant)
eSIM Support	No	Yes
Software	Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15)	Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15)

Alternatives

“Poco F6 and iQOO Neo 10R – options with better specs and performance in the same price range.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 – another spec-heavy and reliable option.”