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Exploring the New Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro: A Comprehensive Review

The Nothing Phone 2a left a significant mark on the smartphone landscape in 2024, boasting a vibrant display, substantial battery life, and a distinct design, all at an affordable price of $349. For its successor, one might have expected Nothing to simply enhance the 2a. However, the company has taken a different path by introducing a brand-new model, the Phone 3a Pro, alongside a refreshed 3a.

The Phone 3a Pro stands out in the midrange market, featuring a periscope telephoto camera—a rarity in this price segment. With a retail price of $459, it promises nearly flagship-level camera capabilities, albeit with a slight increase in weight and a quirky design. In contrast, the standard 3a is also an excellent option for those with a more constrained budget, priced at $379.

The 3a series maintains Nothing’s commitment to offering stylish and functional devices. The 3a is praised for its engaging design, impressive display, and surprisingly effective camera system, making it a solid choice within the budget phone category.

Carrier Compatibility

It’s essential to be aware of some critical details before diving deeper into the review. In the United States, Nothing is distributing the 3a and 3a Pro through a “beta” program, which only extends 14 days of post-sale support. If any issues arise beyond this brief warranty, customers may face challenges in resolving them. On the upside, Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches for both models, along with regular corrective and functionality updates.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that these devices do not support all 5G bands for major carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. As a result, users can expect only basic connectivity without access to mmWave speeds. Additionally, AT&T and Verizon customers need to register their device’s IMEI through their carrier to enable 5G services. While both the 3a and 3a Pro are commendable options, potential buyers should weigh the implications of Nothing’s limited customer support and carrier compatibility.

Design

Both the 3a and 3a Pro exude a premium feel, particularly due to the introduction of a glass backing. This design choice gives them an Apple-like aesthetic, reminiscent of the iPhone 12. The unique coating on the frame contributes to a ceramic-like texture, enhancing grip and comfort. Notably, these models feature improved waterproofing with an IP64 rating, which is an upgrade from the 2a’s IP54 rating, although there are other midrange competitors that provide superior water resistance.

Another intriguing addition is the Essential Key, located on the right side of the phones below the power button. However, the build quality of this specific button feels less robust compared to the others. The Phone 3a is available in an array of colors, but the blue variant is not offered in North America, limiting options for local consumers. The distinct design continues to be a hallmark of Nothing’s offerings, though the 3a Pro’s aesthetics may not appeal to everyone.

Display

Both models share an impressive 6.77-inch display that surpasses the 2a’s dimensions. This generation of phones features Panda Glass for screen protection, which technically downgrades from the Gorilla Glass of its predecessor. Nonetheless, the AMOLED display remains vibrant, offering a peak brightness of 1,300 nits and maintaining visibility even in direct sunlight.

The screen showcases an FHD resolution and a variable refresh rate reaching up to 120Hz, providing smooth interactions. However, one area that might not meet everyone’s expectations is the in-display fingerprint sensor, which uses optical technology rather than the more advanced ultrasonic version. Although it can be slightly slower, it performs adequately in most scenarios.

Cameras

The camera capabilities of both the 3a and 3a Pro are noteworthy. Starting with the 3a, it features a 50-megapixel main camera powered by a Samsung GN9 sensor and enhanced with optical image stabilization. In an upgrade from the 2a, the ultrawide lens is now an 8MP Sony sensor with a wider field of view, and most impressively, the inclusion of a 50-megapixel telephoto lens that offers 2x optical zoom.

While many midrange phones are beginning to incorporate telephoto lenses, the 3a’s pricing makes its camera performance truly remarkable. The photo processing generally yields warm and vibrant colors, though low-light situations can present challenges. Users may find that images can appear unremarkable until the camera applies HDR post-capture, which suddenly enhances their quality.

The 3a Pro’s telephoto camera takes things a step further, offering a 50MP sensor with both a 3x optical zoom and the ability to achieve a 6x zoom through a lossless crop. The quality of images captured by this telephoto lens is unexpectedly high for a device in this price range, capturing sharp details when the subject remains still. A macro mode is also included, allowing users to take close-up shots with impressive resolution.

With respect to the main camera on the 3a Pro, it benefits from additional dual-pixel autofocus capabilities, enhancing speed and accuracy. The results overall are colorful and sharp, appealing to users looking for a capable camera experience without entering flagship pricing.

Performance

Both the 3a and 3a Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, marking a significant improvement over the MediaTek Dimensity processor found in the 2a. Performance metrics indicate a noticeable boost in CPU and GPU capabilities, making everyday tasks seamless.

While the Snapdragon chip performs adequately for general usage such as social media scrolling and multitasking, gaming may reveal some limitations, with occasional frame drops noted during play. Thus, these devices may not completely satisfy avid gamers seeking high-performance mobile experiences.

Battery

Both models maintain a 5,000mAh battery, achieving remarkable endurance. In tests, the 3a lasted an impressive 19.5 hours during video playback. Typical usage patterns involving social media yielded close to 14 hours, making them reliable choices for users on the go. Charging speeds have improved slightly, with support for 50W fast charging, reaching full capacity in under an hour, although the absence of a power adapter in the box is notable.

While the lack of wireless charging may disappoint some users, the quick wired charging makes a compelling argument, prioritizing efficiency over convenience.

Software

The 3a and 3a Pro come equipped with Android 15 and the latest iteration of Nothing OS. Users can anticipate three years of Android updates—an appealing commitment despite the shorter support compared to other leading brands. Nothing OS offers a clean, nearly stock Android experience devoid of bloatware, alongside aesthetically pleasing monochromatic icons and a suite of useful widgets.

The newly introduced Essential Key offers functionality that allows for quick screenshots, voice memos, and notes management through Essential Space, although opinions may vary on its practicality.

Wrap-up

In summary, the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro present impressive value at their respective price points of $379 and $459. Despite some drawbacks, such as limited warranty support and certain design quirks, these devices are worthy contenders for anyone seeking unique, functional smartphones. However, those prioritizing robust customer service and longevity in software support might prefer alternatives like the Pixel 9a or Galaxy S24 FE.

Source
www.engadget.com