The newest model in Nothing’s smartphone lineup, the Nothing Phone (3a), is intended to offer a high-end experience at a moderate cost. The Phone (3a) aims to establish itself in the cutthroat mid-range market with its distinctive transparent design, Glyph Interface, AI-powered capabilities, and long battery life. Does it, however, meet expectations? Let’s examine it in more detail.
Unboxing Contents
- Nothing Phone (3a) Phone
- USB A to C Cable
- SIM Ejector
- User Manual
Design and Build Quality
With its basic yet contemporary design, the Nothing Phone (3a) preserves the brand’s recognizable translucent design, providing consumers with a distinctive look inside. LED light strips that operate as timers, battery indications, and notifications are part of the Glyph Interface on the back.
The Phone (3a) seems well-made and sturdy, with a blend of glass and aluminum giving it a high-end appearance. It is not completely waterproof, though, as its IP64 designation only provides rudimentary resistance to water and dust. The device weighs only around 201 grams, making it pleasant to hold and ideal for prolonged use.
While the phone is stylish and has it’s distinct design, it’s limited water resistance may be a concern for some users.
Display Quality & Audio
The 6.77-inch AMOLED display on the Phone (3a) delivers vivid colors and deep blacks, offering an immersive visual experience. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations feel smooth and responsive. The screen reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
For users who prioritize media consumption, the display provides crisp visuals with HDR support, making it ideal for streaming, browsing, and gaming with additional protection using Panda Glass instead which is equal with some of the front and back glass protections brands found.
Audio wise, the Nothing Phone (3a) houses a set of stereo speakers that is audible and pleasant when tested in a small to medium size room. While it does not offer customization or equalizer settings, the phone still be able to dynamically adjust on it’s own based on what are the audio type you are listening, be it a movie or jazz music, delivering overall balance on both vocal and instruments. You can also set Glyph to trigger silent notification via the 3 LEDS by flipping it down, and you can use it as a volume visualizer and music visualizer.
This makes it a top-tier AMOLED display and stereo audio that competes with more expensive models in its class, with the audio that is above par compared with any similar price ranged phones that can be found in the market today.
Performance and Hardware
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, the Nothing Phone (3a) is equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. This combination allows for smooth multitasking and efficient performance across apps, gaming, and productivity tasks.
Although the chipset works well for daily use, customers who require demanding processing or high-end gaming could find it to be a less than ideal option. Though 256GB should be enough for most users, taking into account the combined use of gaming, social media, some photo-taking, and everyday productivity apps, the absence of expandable MicroSD Card storage is another factor to take into account.
Overall this is a good mid-range performance phone, though power users may find minor limitations in gaming and high-end applications.
Benchmarks
Camera System
The Phone (3a) is equipped with a triple-camera system:
- 50MP main sensor – Captures detailed and well-balanced images in daylight
- 8MP ultra-wide lens – Provides a broader perspective but suffers in low light
- 50MP telephoto lens – Offers 2x optical zoom, 4x in-sensor zoom, and up to 30x digital zoom
- 32MP front camera – Delivers high-quality selfies and supports AI enhancements
In well-lit conditions, the camera captures sharp and color-accurate images, with good dynamic range and HDR support. However, low-light photography is not as impressive, with noticeable noise and reduced clarity. The ultra-wide and zoom capabilities are functional, but above par when compared to similar price range competitors but tad slightly below the flagship found today. Over to the 32MP front camera, the quality remains excellent with good details, even in low light conditions.
This is a versatile camera setup, but low-light performance and secondary lenses could be better.
Battery Life and Charging
With moderate use, the 5,000mAh battery can last up to two days, ensuring exceptional longevity. The 50W fast charging enables a full charge in less than an hour and a 50% charge in just 19 minutes. Unfortunately, wireless charging and a charging adaptor are not provided, which may be a drawback for some customers. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a charging adaptor and it is compatible with QuickCharge 4 or PD, you may easily purchase one.
The phone has a strong battery life with fast charging, though the absence of wireless charging is noticeable.
Software and Features
The interface, which runs on Nothing OS 3.1 (based on Android 15), is clear, bloat-free, and performance-optimized. One notable feature is the Essential Key, an AI-powered tool that facilitates digital information organization by automating processes like voice memo management and screenshot capture.
Although the Essential Space AI system offers new methods to engage with information, some users who would rather have a simpler interface could find these capabilities superfluous. Nevertheless, it’s a good beginning with new features added via software and firmware updates coming from time to time.
Verdict & Conclusion
Pros:
- Unique transparent design with Glyph Interface
- Bright and vibrant OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Solid performance for everyday use
- Versatile camera system
- Excellent battery life with fast charging
- Clean and optimized software experience
Cons:
- Limited water resistance (IP64 rating)
- No wireless charging support
- Low-light camera performance could be better
- Lacks expandable storage
The Nothing Phone (3a) offers a premium experience in a mid-range package, making it an attractive choice for those who value design, battery life, and a clean user experience. While it excels in many areas, its lack of wireless charging, limited water resistance, and average low-light camera performance hold it back from being a truly perfect device.
For users seeking a stylish and innovative smartphone with reliable performance, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a worthy contender in the mid-range market that comes with a compelling price of just RM1699