Over All Rating 4/5
Price Starts From ₹ 24,999/-
PROS 👍
- Unique Design with Glyph Interface
- Solid Performance
- 2x Optical Zoom Camera
CONS 👎
- Bulky and Heavy Build
- No Gorilla Glass Protection
At first glance, the Nothing Phone 3a seems like an iterative upgrade to last year’s Phone 2a. But there are quite a few things that can be branded as new. For one, it no longer relies on a MediaTek processor, having grabbed the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) chip for itself. Also a big addition is a 50MP telephoto sensor that gives it 2x optical zoom capabilities. A better display, an improved IP rating, and a number of other upgrades make the Nothing Phone 3a stand out not only from its redecessor but its competitors in the mid-range space as well. I put it through its paces to test whether it’s the right phone to buy in the sub-Rs 25,000 bracket.
Nothing Phone 3a Review: Nothing New? Think Again
Design
Nothing has carved a niche for itself with its unique see-through design, which isn’t going anywhere. The Nothing Phone 3a’s overall aesthetics don’t stray too far from those of the 2a. But a slightly larger display and perhaps the additional camera means that the new device is much larger than the old one. Using the Nothing Phone 3a will feel incredibly hard for someone who’s used to smaller or even medium-sized phones. Plus, its weight of 201 gms is also towards the higher side. That said, if you’re someone who loves large-sized devices, this one will be perfect for you. Its rear surface is still a delight to gaze at, especially in its white coloured form that’s brilliantly contrasted by the tiny red square in the middle. There’s nothing new to the Glyph interface, but why fix something that isn’t broken, right?
A matte surface on the sides provides a pleasant grip while the contrasting black buttons add a “panda” look that’s, again, a treat to the eyes. The front is home to a massive 6.77-inch AMOLED screen surrounded by sizeable black bezels that, weirdly enough, add to that “panda” look I just spoke about. Of course, that won’t be the case with the black coloured model. This about sums up the overall design of the Nothing Phone 3a. It’s a good-looking device with nice beauty touches, but it’s a rather large device that will take some time to get used to, even for those who use medium-sized handsets daily.
Display and sound
Having used Nothing Phone 3a for two weeks now, I’ve had no qualms about its display. It’s a neat AMOLED panel with a stutter-free 120Hz experience. Its resolution of 1080 x 2392 pixels never feels inadequate despite the large nature of the panel. In high brightness mode, the panel can reach 1300 nits, while 3000 nits is its peak brightness threshold. That’s commendable for a mid-range handset. And of course, there’s HDR10+ support for high-contrast streaming of movies and TV shows, though Dolby Vision, is unsurprisingly, absent. Another thing missing is the presence of Gorilla Glass; Nothing has opted for the Panda Glass, which isn’t known to offer the same level of durability. Coming to the stereo speakers, the phone emits its sound at satisfactory levels. They can get loud but still maintain a level of decency in the sound output.
Also Read: Nothing Phone 3a Pro Review
Performance
One of the most significant upgrades on the Nothing Phone 3a is its shift to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. Built on the 4nm process, this SoC delivers dependable performance that aligns well with the expectations from a mid-range device. In day-to-day usage, the phone is fluid and snappy, be it scrolling through social media, multitasking between apps, or quickly launching games. Speaking of which, casual games run without a hitch, while more graphics-intensive titles like Genshin Impact and BGMI are also playable at medium settings with decent frame rates. Thermal management is impressive, with the phone rarely getting uncomfortably warm. Paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, the 3a feels future-proof for everyday use. It’s not quite flagship-level fast, but you’ll never feel short-changed in terms of raw performance.
Camera
The camera system on the Nothing Phone 3a is another area where you see meaningful changes. The 50MP main sensor is carried over from the 2a, but this time, it’s accompanied by a new 50MP telephoto lens that supports 2x optical zoom. That’s a rare treat at this price point and opens up creative framing opportunities without compromising image quality. The main sensor performs well in daylight, capturing detailed images with slightly cool, slightly contrasty, but very Instagram-ready colours. Low-light performance is acceptable, though not admirable. Night Mode kicks in to retain highlights and shadows, though noise is still visible in tricky lighting. The telephoto lens performs admirably under good lighting conditions and is much more useful than the depth or macro sensors we often see in this segment. The 16MP front camera remains unchanged, delivering decent selfies with good skin tone accuracy and dynamic range.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A56 Review
Software
The Nothing Phone 3a ships with Android 15 and the latest Nothing OS, which sticks closely to stock Android while adding just the right amount of flair. The UI is clean, bloat-free, and easy to navigate, with custom monochrome icons and 18 sharp-looking widgets that elevate the experience. A new feature called the Essential Key introduces quick-access actions like screenshots, voice memos, and a dedicated Essential Space to store and organise them. While its current utility feels limited, it’s a promising idea for those who rely heavily on note-taking and quick captures. With three years of Android updates promised, Nothing OS continues to be one of the most refined Android skins out there.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone 3a is a well-thought-out mid-range phone that brings enough to the table to justify its existence even in a saturated market. With its eye-catching design, clean software experience, solid performance, and a rare 50MP telephoto lens, it delivers excellent value under Rs 25,000. It’s not a small phone by any means, and some may find it too large to handle. The absence of Gorilla Glass and lack of Dolby Vision might also be drawbacks for some. But if you want a phone that stands out in both looks and performance, the Phone 3a is an easy recommendation.
Key Specification
| Display: | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Camera: | 50MP + 50MP + 8MP |
| RAM: | 8GB |
| Processor: | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Battery: | 5000 mAh |
| OS: | Android 15 with Nothing OS |
| Launch Date: | March 04, 2025 |
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