In a world where most smartphones look like clones of one another, Nothing has taken a refreshing detour from the monotony. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Nothing unveiled its newest creations—the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro—and they are absolute head-turners. With their signature semi-transparent design and unconventional Glyph LED patterns, these phones don’t just stand out; they shout. And in a world of uniformity, what a relief that is.
Standout Design: The Evolution of Cool
The Nothing Phone 3a and its Pro sibling are stunning, but what stands out is how they’re different from each other. The Nothing Phone 3a opts for a simple, horizontally aligned camera array, while the Nothing Phone 3a Pro gets adventurous with a semi-circular layout. Both, however, adhere to Nothing’s signature design of sleek transparency, where internal components are visible beneath a translucent exterior, complemented by the playful Glyph LEDs. This phone is sure to grab attention or spark curiosity from those around you.
It’s worth mentioning the new color options, too. While the Phone 3a comes in Black, White, and Blue (sadly, Blue won’t make it to the U.S.), the Pro version keeps it sleek with Grey and Black. Because who doesn’t like a little variety?
Hardware That Delivers
Moving past appearances, both phones pack some solid specs under the hood. They feature a crisp 6.77-inch AMOLED display, complete with a smooth and responsive 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chip provides efficient multitasking and reliable performance for gaming and productivity, paired with 8GB to 12GB RAM options and storage configurations of either 128GB or 256GB. However, the availability of these variants might differ depending on where you are.
Battery life? These phones come equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery that supports 50W fast charging. That said, wireless charging doesn’t cut. They also feature IP64 water and dust resistance—just strong enough to handle a splash but don’t go testing them in the pool.
It’s All About Glyph
Nothing’s signature Glyph interface continues to be a standout feature. This quirky addition transforms the back of your phone into a versatile, visual playground—think flashing LEDs that sync to music beats, track camera countdowns, signal your volume levels, or even notify you of specific app alerts. Its eccentricity lies in its unconventional yet functional approach to communication—it’s like having a light show on your phone. It’s weird in its uniqueness but wonderful in how seamlessly it blends fun with practicality, making it unmistakably Nothing.
Cameras with Character
Now here’s where the two phones diverge. Both models boast a 50-megapixel main camera and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide shooter, but their telephoto game is a little different. The Nothing Phone 3a offers a 50-megapixel telephoto sensor with 2x optical zoom, while the Pro goes pro, sporting a 40-megapixel periscope telephoto camera with a more impressive 3x optical zoom. Upfront, the Phone 3a Pro flaunts a 50-megapixel selfie camera, while the Phone 3a settles for a slightly more modest 32-megapixel option.
Software Goodies and the Essential Space
Running Android 15 with Nothing’s own OS 3.1, these phones also have some intriguing software features. Chief among them is Essential Space, a sleek and AI-powered note-taking feature. So important is this feature that Nothing gave it a dedicated button—dubbed Essential Key—to quickly snap photos, take voice notes, and access your saved content on the fly. While it’s launching as an “Early Access” feature, more capabilities are promised in the coming months.
Price and Release Date
The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro hit the market on different dates. The Phone 3a will be available starting March 11, with its Pro counterpart following on March 25. For those in London lucky enough to visit the Nothing Store Soho, limited stock will be released on March 8 at 11am GMT.
Pricing does get a little muddled based on the variant and region. In the UK, the Phone 3a starts at £329 for the base model, while the step-up will cost £379. The Pro, on the other hand, is priced at £449. U.S. pricing for the Pro is $459, with its entry-level sibling costing $379. Meanwhile, in India, prices kick off at ₹24,999 and ₹29,999 for the Phone 3a and Pro, respectively.
Unfortunately for U.S. fans, the phones will only be available through Nothing’s Beta Program. But for those who do manage to snag one—be prepared to flex.
FAQs
1. What sets the Nothing Phone 3a apart from its Pro version?
While both models share similar designs and specs, the Pro version features a semi-circular camera array and a superior 40-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Additionally, the Pro offers a 50-megapixel selfie cam compared to the Phone 3a’s 32-megapixel front camera.
2. Are these phones waterproof?
They have an IP64 rating, making them resistant to dust and small splashes of water. However, fully submerging them in water is not advised.
3. What is the Glyph Interface?
The Glyph Interface is a unique feature that uses LEDs on the back of the phone to create visual alerts, sync to music, show camera countdowns, and more. It’s Nothing’s signature flair.
4. Will the blue color option be available in the U.S.?
No, the Blue color variant of the Nothing Phone 3a will not be available in the U.S.
5. How much will these phones cost?
Pricing varies by region and configuration. In the U.K., the Phone 3a starts at £329, while the Pro is £449. Prices in the U.S. begin at $379 for the Phone 3a and $459 for the Pro. Indian prices start at ₹24,999 and ₹29,999 for the Phone 3a and Pro, respectively.
6. How can I buy the Nothing Phone 3a in the U.S.?
Sadly, the Nothing phones will only be available in the U.S. via Nothing’s Beta Program.
