UK tech company Nothing has unveiled its new Phone (3a) series – the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro – which boasts its typical unique design, improved camera systems and other advanced features.
Tech Guide has taken a hands-on first look at the new devices which are powered by the Snapdragon processor and feature brighter and more vibrant displays.
The new Nothing smartphones have a standout look and feel with clear glass back panels so you can peek inside the device rather just having a plain colour filling the space.
The camera systems have also had a redesign from the previous model with the (3a) Pro including a circular camera bump while (3a) has gone for a more compact horizontal bump.
The devices are also more durable with an IP64 rating to make them water and dust resistant.
Each of the Nothing Phone (3a) models includes an impressive 6.77-inch FHD+ display with 387 ppi (pixels per inch) and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
The screen has up to 3000 nits peak brightness which is a 131 per cent improvement over the Phone (2a).
The display can adjust itself with Auto Brightness to up to 1300 nits so it’s easy to view even in direct sunlight.
It also has the Glyph lighting system on the rear panel which can used for notifications, to alert you for incoming calls and messages and be used as a timer.
Sitting above Android 15 is Nothing OS 3.1 which offers an appealing layout and design and numerous ways to customise the experience.
It allows you to tailor your lock screen and quick settings so it’s easy to access features and apps that you use most often.
Nothing says it will offer software updates to the device for six years from the time of purchase.
This also includes three years of Android updates and six years of security updates on top of other corrective and functionality improvements.
The Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro also have AI on board which is housed in a new hub called Essential Space.
Essential Space is an easily accessible area of the device that allows you to save notes, ideas another inspiration and immediately recall them in a second using the dedicated Essential Space key located on the right edge.
One press of the Essential key allows you to capture and send content to Essential Space.
With a long press you can record a voice note and double tap to see all your saved content.
Still in the development stage, Essential Space will be offered early to all customers who purchase the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro.
The full Essential Space experience is still being built and will include other features including Camera Capture, Smart Collections, Focused Search and Flip to Record.
Performance-wise, the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro a powered by the Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 mobile platform which offers snappy performance and the ability to play games faster and more smoothly.
The CPU is 33 per cent faster than Phone (2a) while the Qualcomm Adreno GPU offers 11 per cent better graphics.
Phone (3a) series offers 92 per cent improvement performing AI tasks than Phone (2a) and it leaves lots of headroom for future AI developments.
On the camera side, Nothing is offering its most advanced camera system to date which includes an upgraded 50MP main sensor and a Sony ultra-wide sensor which has optical zoom for the first time.
And TrueLens Engine 3.0 does all the heavy lifting thanks to advanced computational algorithms, AI processing and multi frame technology to offer natural and vibrant images.
The 50MP telephoto camera has 2x optical zoom and up to 4x lossless in-sensor zoom when you no need to go even further.
The Phone (3a) Pro has flagship telephoto zoom thanks to the powerful periscope lens system.
The Pro model also offers optical image stabilisation and up to 3x optical zoom.
Phone (3a) Pro also has tele-macro capture that stands above even flagship devices with the ability to focus as close as 15mm from a subject.
The Phone (3a) has a 50MP main sensor which was co-engineered with Samsung and integrates deep learning processing algorithms that have been trained on millions of photography scenarios to improve image clarity reduce noise and offer enhanced accuracy.
The Phone (3a) Pro 50MP main sensor takes it even further with 43 per cent faster autofocus and double the pixel capacity for even greater detail.
On the front the iPhone (3a) has a 32MP front camera while the Phone (3a) Pro has upgraded to 50MP front camera that can record 4K videos with adaptive AI stabilisation and night video enhancement.
Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro have 5000mAh batteries which can run for up to two days on a full charge.
They now also support fast charging at 50W and can be charged to 50 per cent, enough power for a day, in less than 20 minutes.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
– Phone (3a) is available in Black, White, and Blue
– 8GB + 128GB – $599,
– 12GB + 256GB – $689,
– Phone (3a) Pro is available in Grey and Black.
– 12GB + 256GB – $849
The devices can be pre-ordered through JB-HI FI online.
The Phone (3a) goes on sale on March 11, 2025. Phone (3a) Pro will be available from March 25, 2025.
