The Phone (3a) is a mid-range smartphone from Nothing. It was announced on March 4, 2025, with the Phone (3a) Pro. Sales began on March 11. In the US, Nothing sold it through its Beta Program at $379 for the 12GB/256GB version. In Europe, the 8GB/128GB model launched at €329. The Phone (4a) has since replaced it as the newest model in the series.
Design and display
The phone keeps the transparent Nothing look, but the back is now glass instead of plastic. Three Glyph light strips sit around the horizontal camera bar. The body is rated IP64 for dust and water resistance, up from IP54 on the Phone (2a). It measures 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.35 mm and weighs 208 g by the official spec sheet.
The front has a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1084 x 2392 pixels. It runs at up to 120 Hz and reaches 3,000 nits peak brightness. The screen also supports HDR10+ and uses Panda Glass protection. In addition, a new Essential Key sits on the right side for quick access to AI features.
Performance
The phone runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, a 4 nm chip with a top core speed of 2.5 GHz. It replaces the MediaTek chip of the previous model. Memory options are 8GB or 12GB of RAM with 128GB or 256GB of storage. However, the storage uses the older UFS 2.2 standard, and there is no microSD slot.
Cameras
This is the first Nothing phone with three rear cameras. The main camera has a 50 MP sensor, an f/1.88 lens and optical stabilization. Next to it is a 50 MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. An 8 MP ultrawide camera completes the setup.
On the front, a 32 MP camera handles selfies. The rear cameras record video in up to 4K at 30 fps.
Battery and charging
A 5,000 mAh battery powers the phone. It supports 50 W wired charging, and Nothing quotes a full charge in 56 minutes. The phone can also share power with 7.5 W reverse wired charging. On the other hand, there is no wireless charging, and the box contains no charger.
Software and updates
The phone shipped with Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15. Nothing promises three major Android updates and six years of security patches. The software adds Essential Space, an AI hub for notes, screenshots and voice memos.
Should you buy the Phone (3a)?
The Phone (3a) suits mid-range buyers who want a 2x telephoto camera and a bright 120 Hz screen. It also fits people who value long software support and a design that stands out. Buyers who need wireless charging, eSIM support or faster storage should look elsewhere. Note that the Phone (4a) is now the newer model. Nothing’s own stores have limited stock of the Phone (3a).
