Nothing Phone (3a) Review

The Phone 3a Lite brings the mainline Nothing lineup to new levels of affordability without fully abandoning its most distinctive features, but the price gap is narrow enough that most people should s

A stylish mid-ranger with clean software, but the chipset limits its performance potential.

At Rs 24,999, we think the Nothing Phone (3a) is a camera lover’s phone that also excels in software, battery life, display, design, and build quality. Even though it may not be as powerful as its competitors and lacks new Glyph interface features, it still does a great job of giving its competition a run for their money in other areas, making it a compelling option to consider under Rs 30,000.

For Rs 29,999, aside from raw performance, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers a lot and doesn't hold back on any front. From the display and battery life to software, design, and cameras, the Phone (3a) Pro stands out as one of the better options at this price point.

Divisive design changes aside, Phone 3a Pro is very capable mid-ranger with an interesting take on AI. Its cameras are also up there with class leaders, even if the zoom lens comes at a price premium

By closely sticking to what made its predecessor such a success, the Nothing Phone 3a delivers a superb all-round experience for affordable money.

The excellent Nothing Phone (3a) improves on its predecessor in every way – but there really didn’t need to be a separate Pro model

“The Nothing Phone 3a Pro's unique style separates it from the competition, and hides a cracking camera, strong performance, and great software.”

“The Nothing Phone 3a is Nothing’s best phone yet and it offers excellent battery life, a unique experience and an abundance of style. There are a few misses, but while it isn't perfect, the Nothing Phone 3a is really good.”

For under $500, the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro offers great camera systems, a beautiful design, a truly unique OS and a genuine attempt to make AI useful.

The Nothing Phone (3a) offers solid midrange performance with a unique design and decent features, like the 2x telephoto lens and AI-driven "Essential Key." While its Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset delivers good performance, I just wish its cameras were a bit more consistent.

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers a unique design, clean software experience, and solid camera performance. Making it a standout phone in its price range. While we wish Nothing had gone with a more powerful chipset than Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, overall, the Phone (3a) Pro is a well-rounded smartphone under NPR 60,000.

The Phone (3a) Series is characterised by clean, geometric shapes, flat surfaces and straight sides, all giving a sense of sophistication in comparison to its predecessor. 

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro stands out with a vibrant 6.77-inch AMOLED display, strong all-day battery life, and a surprisingly capable triple-camera setup—including a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and 12GB RAM, it handles most tasks with ease, even if it won’t max out the latest games. Nothing’s signature transparent design and refined Glyph interface add flair, while long-term software support and clever features like Essential Space and Smart Drawer round out a tidy, feature-packed phone.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro impresses with its unique design, Glyph interface, bright display, and versatile cameras. However, its Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset offers minimal performance gains over the standard 3a, making the “Pro” branding questionable.The Nothing Phone 3a Pro offers a good-looking, unique design language, a bright display, and a capable triple camera setup, making it yet another interesting mid-range option for buyers. However, there is a catch. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset offers minimal improvement over the Nothing Phone 3a, raising questions about the “Pro” branding, especially when you get phones such as Poco F6 and the upcoming iQOO Neo 10R with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC. Of course, the positioning of those devices is towards buyers who are looking for raw performance gains, and Nothing, with the Phone 3a Pro, wants to cater to users who prioritize design, a clean software experience, and a well-rounded camera system over sheer processing power. 

What makes the Phone 3a cool isn’t just any single feature but the cohesive vision behind it. It’s genuinely interesting, capable, and fun to use. From hardware to software, Nothing has created a device with a clear identity and purpose in a market where many phones feel interchangeable.What makes the Phone 3a cool isn’t just any single feature but the cohesive vision behind it. It’s genuinely interesting, capable, and fun to use. From hardware to software, Nothing has created a device with a clear identity and purpose in a market where many phones feel interchangeable.

The Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro not only have a unique look but also offer a unique experience and offer impressive mid-tier value for customers looking for something different.

With a triple camera setup and a low price, this phone is tempting, especially if you like the styling.

Not everyone has over a grand to spare for a new smartphone. The mid-range market, featuring handsets priced between $300 and $400, is fiercely competitive. You'll find classics like the Samsung Galaxy A55 (review) and Xiaomi Note 14 Pro (review) here, but one smartphone stood out to us: the Nothing Phone (3a). It impressed not only with its no-frills software and stylish design but also with its impressive hardware for the price?plus a more-than-capable camera to boot. We reviewed the $379 smartphone with enthusiasm.