The tech brand founded by Carl Pei, Nothing has built a reputation for releasing uniquely designed smartphones with no software overlays. Towards the end of August, the company was announced to launch its latest mid range smartphone, the Nothing Phone (3a), along with its flagship rival, the Nothing Phone (3). The Phone (3a) comes with major upgrades and a lot of features to offer it fanatics a strong competitor in the middle range market.
In this time, our clear focus is the Nothing Phone (3a) display, performance, camera, design, battery life, software, and other factors to perfectly decide whether it is the right phone for you or otherwise.
Table of Contents
Display
It is said to come with a 6.8-inch OLED display of 1080p+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The display would be larger and more smooth than its predecessor if the data is accurate, making it a must experience media consumption and gaming related device.
The OLED panel should be deep blacks, vibrant colors and good viewing angles, making it one of the best displays in the mid-range category. We also hear that HDR10+ could be included in addition to improve the visual quality for better contrast and dynamic range in its supported content.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.8 inches |
| Display Type | OLED |
| Resolution | 1080p+ |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| HDR Support | HDR10+ (Expected) |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass (Rumored) |
Performance
According to reports the Nothing Phone (3a) receives power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. According to industry reports the SoC is optimized to perform daily tasks as well as gaming and multitasking operations without compromise. The combination of Nothing OS 3.1 (based on Android 15) with the phone would produce a seamless and judder-free performance. The efficient manufacturing process of the chipset enables powerful energy conservation and enhanced heat management.
People who use their smartphone casually and gamers can expect the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 to perform all their tasks without delays. People who need top-tier system performance for their demanding applications should opt for a flagship processor instead of a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| GPU | Adreno (Exact model unknown) |
| Fabrication Process | Power-efficient (Likely 4nm or 6nm) |
| Performance Expectation | Good for multitasking, casual gaming |
Camera
The Nothing Phone (3a) is said to bring a major camera upgrade. The main camera will feature 50MP while its telephoto lens is going to be 50MP and has 2x optical zoom. This would be the first time a Nothing Phone includes a dedicated telephoto lens, if the rumor is true, offering better portrait shots and distance photography. However, reports also suggest that the ultra wide camera will be downgraded to 8MP which could hurt landscape shots like they did on the iPhone 11.
The device is on the front speculated to feature 32MP selfie camera accommodated inside a punch hole cutout, which should enable crisp and clear selfies. Also rumored to improve the photography experience is the software enhancements including improved night mode and AI driven optimizations.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 50MP (2x optical zoom) |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP |
| Camera Features | Night Mode, AI Optimization (Expected) |
Design and Build
Nothing’s Phone (3a) is expected to be true to Nothing’s signature aesthetic, with a transparent back panel, and the Glyph interface shaping the aesthetic and keeping the brand true to its Nothingness. The phone is expected to be minimalistic and futuristic, which implies that the phone can’t get compared against other smartphones available in the market. It is rumored to have aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass protection for durability.
And one of the rumored highlights is a version of Apple’s iPhone feature referred to as the Action Button. The expansion of this customizable button is to be launched by the camera, AI assistant, or any other quick action, making the user experience more enjoyable.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Build Material | Aluminum Frame + Glass Back |
| Glyph Interface | Yes |
| Action Button | Yes (Rumored, iPhone-like) |
| Colors Available | Black, White (Expected) |
Audio and Connectivity
According to reports, the Nothing Phone (3a) will come with dual stereo speakers offering loud and clear audio. It is also believed the phone will not make use of a 3.5mm headphone jack and to support high resolution audio via Bluetooth and USB-C. This may also include some unique audiovisual experiences due to the inclusion of Nothing’s Glyph Interface. And therefore connectivity options can include 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and in-display fingerprint sensor for security. If confirmed, these features would guarantee that it is fast, that it has seamless connectivity and that it is secure.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Speakers | Dual Stereo Speakers |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | No |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| NFC Support | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-Display |
Battery Life
It seems like the Nothing Phone (3a) will come with a 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging support. Although no formal confirmation of wireless charging is provided, the fast wired charging is expected to be fast enough to charge up when needed. The phone had a power efficient processor and a good software optimized to last it for one full day even with heavy or moderate usage.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 5,000mAh |
| Charging Speed | 45W wired |
| Wireless Charging | Not confirmed |
| Expected Battery Life | Full-day usage with optimization |
Operating System and Software
Nothing Phone (3a) is going to run Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15. You could get a pretty much stock Android experience with minimal bloatware to see you run smoothly. As reported, the company has offered three years of major OS updates and four years of security patches to users to guarantee longevity.
| Feature | Expected Specification |
|---|---|
| OS Version | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) |
| Bloatware | Minimal (Expected) |
| AI Features | Basic (No major Google AI tools expected) |
| Software Updates | 3 years of major updates, 4 years of security patches |
RAM and Storage Options
There are two rumoured Nothing Phone (3a) configurations:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage.
- 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage.
But as it does not mention expandable storage, users will need to consider the storage variant wisely based on their usage needs.
Color Options
Nothing has been known that offers minimalistic colored choices, black and white. Following this trend, the Nothing Phone (3a) will launch in Black and White as well. But there is no reason to rule out further limited edition color customizations.
Pricing and Availability
On March 4, 2025, Nothing Phone (3a) is going to launch in India and globally. The sales in India are expected on Flipkart and other regions would have other online and offline retail outlets.
Expected Pricing:
- Base variant (8GB + 128GB): ₹28,999 (~$350).
- Higher variant (12GB + 256GB): ₹32,999 (~$400).
If these are true prices, then the Phone (3a) will be directly competing with other mid-range devices from OnePlus, Samsung and iQOO.
Conclusion
It seems like Nothing will have a strong contender in its arm with the Nothing Phone (3a). If rumors are to believed, this flagship would be premium design, camera upgrades, smooth operation and long term software support and can make it a value for money flagship. While there are a few downsides to the device, like the lack of wireless charging and lack of expandable storage, many of its virtues might be enough to make up for the cons for most users.
The Nothing Phone (3a) is among the stylish, feature-packed mid range phones to check out if you are looking for one. However, it’s always better to wait until the launch and the early reviews are out to decide finally.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. When is the official launch date for the Nothing Phone (3a)?
According to the company, it will have a global launch in a public event on March 4, 2025.
2. What chipset will be used in Nothing Phone (3a)?
It is said that it will have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, intended to offer unobtrusive performance for day to day activities and games.
3. What’s the camera setup of the Nothing Phone (3a)?
According to leaks, the Nothing Phone (3a) should feature a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra wide camera instead of that ultra wide camera. In addition, it is likely to feature a 32MP front camera for selfies.
4. Does Nothing Phone (3a) have action button?
The teasers suggest that it might have an Action Button like iPhone, which can be used for the camera functions or the AI shortcuts alike.
5. What is the battery capacity and charging speed of Nothing Phone 3a?
The phone is said to have a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast wired charging plus, or at least, and wireless charging does not seem to be part of the rumor.
6. On which android version will Nothing Phone (3a) run?
It is expected to run on Nothing OS 3.1, based on Android 15. Nothing is likely to offer three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches.
7. What RAM and storage options will be available in Nothing Phone 3a?
According to rumors,it will be available in two configurations:
8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage.
It may not come with an expandable storage microSD card slot.
8. Where can we purchase Nothing Phone (3a) from?
The phone is expected to be available in India via Flipkart, with global availability through other online and offline retailers.
9. What color options will be available in Nothing Phone 3a?
Leaks indicate that it will be available in Black and White, with the possibility of special edition color variants.
10. Who should buy the Nothing Phone (3a)?
If you’re looking for a stylish mid range handset with a creative design, clean software experience and competent camera set up, you might want to consider it. But if you require wireless charging, expandable storage, or a flagship level chipset, then there are better alternatives available in the market.
