Last Updated - August 10, 2025 11:44 am IST | Dhiraj Singh
Introduction
Nothing Phone 3a Review – The Nothing Phone 3a has officially arrived, offering a transparent design, solid performance, and an AMOLED display at a competitive price. With Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and a 50MP triple-camera setup, this phone aims to deliver premium features without the premium price tag. But does it live up to the hype?
In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the Nothing Phone 3a’s design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, and more to see if it’s the right choice for you. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Design & Build Quality
One of Nothing’s signature elements is its transparent design, and the Phone 3a is no exception. Featuring three LED light strips on the back, this phone retains the Glyph Interface, making it stand out from the competition. The IP64 rating ensures basic protection against dust and water splashes.
Key Design Highlights:
- Premium feel with glass protection and a robust frame.
- Three LED light strips for notifications, camera fill light, and customization.
- Compact yet sturdy (163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm, 201g weight).
- Available in three colors – Black, White, and Blue.
✅ Verdict: A futuristic design that turns heads, but not the most compact phone for one-handed use.
Display – AMOLED Brilliance
The Nothing Phone 3a features a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel with 1B colors, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and 3000 nits peak brightness. Whether you’re streaming videos, gaming, or browsing, the display ensures vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth transitions.
Display Features:
- Resolution: 1080 x 2392 pixels (~387 PPI density)
- Brightness: 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
- Protection: Panda Glass for durability
- Ultra HDR support for enhanced dynamic range
✅ Verdict: One of the best displays in this price range, making content consumption a delight.
Performance & Gaming – Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Power
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) chipset, the Nothing Phone 3a delivers smooth performance across daily tasks and gaming. With an Adreno 710 GPU (940 MHz) and up to 12GB RAM, it handles multitasking with ease.
Benchmarks & Performance Tests:
- AnTuTu Score: 828,429 (v10)
- GeekBench Score: 3,278 (v6)
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 1,064
Gaming Performance:
Tested on games like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact, the Nothing Phone 3a runs smoothly at high settings with minimal frame drops.
✅ Verdict: A solid performer for mid-range gaming, though flagship-level gaming phones will still outperform it.
Camera – 50MP Triple Lens Setup
The Nothing Phone 3a comes with a versatile triple-camera system, including OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for steady shots. The ultrawide and telephoto lenses add extra flexibility for photography enthusiasts.
Camera Specs:
- 50MP primary sensor (f/1.9, OIS, PDAF)
- 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom)
- 8MP ultrawide lens (120° field of view)
- 32MP selfie camera (1080p video recording at 30fps)
Camera Features:
- 4K video recording at 30fps
- Super Night Mode for low-light shots
- AI scene detection for optimized photos
✅ Verdict: A strong camera setup with great versatility, but lacks 8K recording.
Battery Life & Charging – Fast & Reliable
The Nothing Phone 3a packs a 5,000mAh battery, delivering all-day battery life even with heavy usage. With 50W fast charging, it reaches 50% in just 19 minutes and 100% in under an hour.
Battery Performance:
- Screen-on time: 7-8 hours (moderate usage)
- Standby time: Up to 2 days
- No wireless charging support
✅ Verdict: Fast charging and long-lasting battery make this phone reliable for heavy users.
Software & Features – Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1
Running on Android 15, the Nothing Phone 3a guarantees three major Android updates and Nothing OS 3.1 for a clean, bloat-free experience. The Glyph Interface adds customizable LED notifications.
✅ Verdict: Clean UI, no bloatware, and long-term software support.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
✔️ Unique transparent design with LED Glyph Interface ✔️ 120Hz AMOLED display with Ultra HDR ✔️ Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 for solid performance ✔️ 50MP triple-camera setup with OIS ✔️ 50W fast charging (full charge in under an hour) ✔️ Stock Android-like experience with 3 years of updates
❌ Cons:
❌ No wireless charging support ❌ No expandable storage ❌ Lacks 8K video recording ❌ Slightly large for one-handed use
Final Verdict – Should You Buy the Nothing Phone 3a?
The Nothing Phone 3a is a stylish, performance-packed mid-range smartphone with a unique design, strong camera system, and clean software experience. If you’re looking for a phone that stands out and delivers on all essential aspects, this could be a great buy at Rs. 24999/-.
Who Should Buy This Phone?
- ✅ Tech Enthusiasts who love the transparent design.
- ✅ Casual Gamers looking for smooth performance.
- ✅ Photography Lovers who need versatile camera options.
- ✅ Long-term Users who want 3 years of Android updates.
Specifications at a Glance
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Design | Transparent design with three LED Glyph Interface light strips, Glass protection, IP64 rating (dust & water splash resistance) |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 3000 nits peak brightness, 1080 x 2392 pixels resolution (~387 PPI), Panda Glass protection |
| Performance | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm), Adreno 710 GPU (940 MHz) |
| Storage | 8GB/12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage, No expandable storage |
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.9, OIS, PDAF) primary + 50MP (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom) telephoto + 8MP ultrawide (120° field of view), 4K video recording at 30fps, AI scene detection, Super Night Mode |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (1080p video recording at 30fps) |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 50W fast charging (50% in 19 minutes, 100% in under an hour), No wireless charging |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0 |
| Colors | Black, White, Blue |
| Price | Rs. 24999/- |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does the Nothing Phone 3a support 5G?
✅ Yes, it supports GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G networks.
Q2: Is the Nothing Phone 3a waterproof?
❌ It has an IP64 rating, which means it’s resistant to dust and water splashes but not fully waterproof.
Q3: Does it have a headphone jack?
❌ No, the Nothing Phone 3a does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Q4: Can I expand storage with a microSD card?
❌ No, there is no microSD card slot, so you must rely on internal storage.
Q5: How fast does it charge?
✅ 50W wired fast charging, reaching 50% in 19 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 3a offers a premium design, smooth performance, and a great display at a mid-range price. If you’re in the market for a stylish, feature-rich phone with clean software and fast charging, it’s worth considering!
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