The mid-range lineup just got a new player – the Nothing Phone (3a) series. The London-based brand has officially taken the wraps off the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, both bringing notable improvements over last year's Phone (2a). But in this text, we're diving into the Pro model and everything it has to offer.
First up, Nothing's signature transparent back and Glyph lights are back in action. The phone comes in two color options: Black and Grey. The Phone (3a) Pro sports a large circular camera island, and this time, it houses not two but three cameras. Yep, a telephoto lens joins the mix – an exciting addition that's not too common in mid-range devices.
The Phone (3a) Pro comes in Black and Grey. | Image credit – Nothing
The Phone (3a) Pro camera system packs:
50 MP main camera
8 MP ultra-wide camera
50 MP periscope telephoto camera
50 MP front camera
A whole lot of 50s, right? But, as we know, megapixels aren't everything. The new periscope telephoto camera steps up with a large 1/1.95-inch Sony LYTIA 600 sensor, paired with a 70mm equivalent focal length and a fast f/2.55 aperture. This setup should deliver impressive zoom capabilities, but, of course, we'll need to test it ourselves to see how it really performs.
The Phone (3a) Pro's periscope camera comes with optical image stabilization, promising sharper shots in all kinds of lighting – whether indoors, at night or anywhere in between. And with 3x optical zoom, it's a solid choice for portrait photography.
On the back you will find two 50 MP cameras and a 8 MP ultra-wide one. | Image credit – Nothing
Moreover, Nothing says its 50 MP high-resolution sensor enables lossless in-sensor zoom up to 6x, and when AI clarity-boosting algorithms kick in, you get 60x ultra zoom.
On the front, Nothing has also upgraded the selfie camera – a 50 MP sensor capable of recording sharp 4K videos, complete with adaptive AI stabilization and improved night video quality.
To view all your shots, the Phone (3a) Pro packs a large 6.77-inch Full HD+ display. With a pixel density of 387 PPI, visuals should look crisp and the 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations. But what really stands out is the peak brightness – hitting 3000 nits, a 131% boost over the Phone (2a), making outdoor visibility a non-issue.
The Phone (3a) Pro has a big 6.77-inch display. | Image credit – Nothing
Now, with a bright display, battery life is an obvious concern. The Phone (3a) Pro keeps the same 5000 mAh battery as its predecessor, which, based on the Phone (2a) Plus performance, should deliver around 10 hours of screen-on time for web browsing, streaming, or gaming.
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However, thanks to a new Qualcomm chipset, Nothing claims it's now more power-efficient – cutting energy use by 8% for everyday tasks, which should add up to 30 extra minutes of battery life daily. And when it's time to recharge, the 50W fast charging kicks in, taking the battery from 0 to 50% in under 20 minutes.
Video credit – Nothing
Since we're already talking about the chipset, let's get into the details. The Phone (3a) Pro runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, a big step up from the MediaTek chip in the Phone (2a). The CPU delivers up to 33% faster performance, while the Qualcomm Adreno GPU boosts graphics by 11%. Plus, Nothing is bringing select Snapdragon Elite Gaming features – something usually reserved for flagship phones.
As for memory and storage, there are three configurations:
8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage
8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage
12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage
That said, don’t count on all versions being available everywhere. The 12 GB RAM model will be the one hitting the shelves in the US and Europe, while the other two variants should be exclusive to India. And honestly, this is a good thing – it's not every day you find 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage at this price point (most mid-range phones only come with 128 GB).
Moving on. Having the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 on board also means… yeah, you guessed it – more AI.
Essential Space: your AI-powered second memory
A new Essential Key is positioned on the right side of the Phone (3a) Pro. | Image credit – Nothing
Nothing is introducing Essential Space, an AI-driven hub designed to keep track of notes, ideas, and inspirations with zero hassle. Think of it as a second memory that captures, processes, and recalls content effortlessly.
To make sure Essential Space is always within reach, Nothing has added the Essential Key – a dedicated button on the right side of the Phone (3a) Series. A single press lets you save content instantly, a long press records a voice note, and a double tap takes you straight to your saved files.
With Essential Space you can make a quick reminder for a later task. | Image credit – Nothing
Those who grab a Phone (3a) or Phone (3a) Pro will get Early Access to Essential Space, unlocking the full experience ahead of its official rollout. Upcoming features include Camera Capture, Smart Collections, Focused Search, and Flip to Record, all set to arrive in the coming months.
On the software front, the Phone (3a) series runs Nothing OS 3.1, built on Android 15 straight out of the box. As for longevity, Nothing is committing to 3 years of major software updates and 6 years of security patches.
Price and availability
Pre-orders for the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro kick off on March 11 exclusively on the company's website, nothing.tech, with open sales starting March 25.
For US customers, the Phone (3a) series will only be available through Nothing's US Beta Program. Those who join will get a Phone (3a) Pro and are encouraged to share their feedback. Full details are available on nothing.tech.
Here's the pricing breakdown for the Phone (3a) Pro:
8+128 GB: ₹29,999 or $343 when directly converted
8+256 GB: ₹31,999 or $366 when directly converted
12+256 GB: $459 /£449 / €459
Comparisons
Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro in all available color options. | Image credit – Nothing
The Phone (3a) series arrives in a month filled with fresh mid-range phone launches. Just yesterday, Samsung introduced the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36, and Google is preparing to unveil the Pixel 9a. While these competitors are expected to outshine Nothing in terms of software support longevity – Samsung, for instance, offers 6 years of OS updates for its latest mid-range devices – Nothing made a strategic move by adding a telephoto camera, giving the Phone (3a) an edge in the camera department.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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