During the past month, Nothing has introduced a couple of new phones, and after spending a week with one of them, I am compelled to share how impressive it is. Priced at $379, the Nothing Phone 3a is remarkably powerful for its budget-friendly cost. It reminds me of the early days of OnePlus, when they released high-quality phones at affordable prices, a concept that seems rare in today’s market filled with expensive options from various OEMs.
The Nothing Phone 3a boasts a 6.77″ FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, triple rear cameras (two 50MP shooters from Samsung + an 8MP ultra-wide from Sony), a 5,000mAh battery with 50W charging speeds, IP64 rating, and comes with Android 15 (Nothing OS 3.1) out of the box, promising 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates.
While many phones boast impressive specs on paper, the true test lies in actual usage. The Nothing Phone 3a delivers a surprisingly smooth performance, exceeding my expectations. I anticipated some lag, but to my delight, the phone operates seamlessly and handles all tasks effortlessly.
The Nothing OS has also undergone significant improvements. Initially featuring a few skinned apps and a playful dot UI, the OS has now evolved into a mature system. Android 15 likely contributes to this, but Nothing has added several custom apps and widgets to enhance the Nothing OS experience. The Gallery app, themes, icon packs, and wallpaper options further enrich the software experience. Considering the price point of $379, the software on this device is praiseworthy.
One notable feature on these phones is the dedicated Essential Space button, which serves as an AI-powered organization tool for various aspects of your life. While I have yet to fully harness its potential, with some refinements, it could prove to be quite useful. For more details, Kellen’s insights on this feature are available.
The button on the right side of the phone, located just below the power button, allows you to interact with Essential Space. You can capture screenshots, add voice or text notes, record audio, and track objects using the camera. All these inputs are stored in Essential Space, aimed at streamlining your saved data and turning audio notes into actionable items like reminders.
Further testing will determine the true utility of this feature. Currently, it hasn’t presented any groundbreaking functionalities.
Credit is also due to Nothing’s design team for creating visually appealing and ergonomic phones. Featuring a transparent back panel and Glyph lights, these design choices set Nothing apart from mainstream manufacturers. Although I may not utilize these features extensively, they add a touch of novelty to the device.
Thanks to the robust 5,000mAh battery, the phone delivers impressive battery life. Despite reducing my overall phone usage, I noticed a surplus of battery power compared to my previous devices, indicating that this phone can sustain extensive usage as a primary daily driver.
US Availability
Unfortunately, US compatibility is limited, particularly with Verizon service. The phone is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile networks, but Verizon compatibility may be problematic. Details regarding US functionality are available, but as of now, the phone is available for purchase in the US. Priced at $379, it presents a compelling option for interested buyers.
These impressions are based on limited usage over a week. While a comprehensive review may not be in the cards, I look forward to Kellen’s assessment of the Nothing 3a Pro. Having another viable option in the market before Samsung and Google is a welcome addition.