- By Prateek Levi
- Tue, 04 Mar 2025 05:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nothing Phone 3a Launched In India: This is the third month of the year and we have already seen two tech giants come out with their big releases, with Samsung launching the S25 series flagship smartphones and Apple's so-called affordable iPhone 16e, but the show isn't over yet. Today marks the day when the London-based tech company, Nothing, is coming out with its latest smartphone lineup. After a lot of anticipation, speculations and rumours parading on the internet, the Nothing Phone 3a series is finally out in India. This mid-tier phone is expected to rock the market with its cutting-edge features a decent camera and a redefined and unconventional design over its predecessors that come at a reasonable price.
Nothing is well known for its iconic Glyph Interface that still steals the show and brings something different to the table when compared to other smartphones in the same budget and lineup.
One of the Highlights here was the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro's re-imagined camera style, which sports an asymmetrical camera design. One thing that creates a distinction between the basic and the Pro version is that the Pro version features a Periscope Telephoto sensor, which is a first for Nothing Phones. Now Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of smartphones one by one.
What's New?
It looks like the London-based tech giant took inspiration from Apple this time and has introduced a dedicated physical key for a feature called "Essential Space" This is an AI-powered feature that would help its users capture thoughts through notes, screenshots, and pictures which will be processed and catalogued for easy access. This is also a first for the Nothing Phone that only the users of the latest Nothing Phone will be able to experience.
How Much Will Nothing Cost?
The Phone (3a) starts at Rs 24,999 for the Indian-exclusive 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, offering an enhanced version of the Phone (2a). It features a transparent back with the Glyph Interface and a pill-shaped triple-camera setup. In contrast, the Pro model adopts a different design with a large circular camera island housing a periscope zoom lens offering 3x optical zoom. The Phone (3a) Pro, priced at Rs 29,999, also offers an Indian-exclusive 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. Both models come with a flat Rs 2,000 bank discount and will be available for purchase from March 11.
These Nothing Phones in this price segment stands straight in competition with smartphones like the OnePlus Nord 4 is priced at Rs 29,999 without any offers at play and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro and Pro+ as well which are priced at Rs 24,999 and Rs 30,999 respectively. On the other hand, the Vivo V50 stands in direct competition with the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro priced at Rs 36,999.
What Powers the Nothing Phones
Now both the models will run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 CPU, bidding farewell to previous generations of MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processors. The processors are paired with at least 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.
These devices will sport the Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15, and you can expect three major OS upgrades with it. As expected the devices have a 5000 mAh battery with 50W fast charging support in both devices, although no charger in the box and will be sold separately.
Camera and Other Specs
The Phone (3a) comes with a 50MP telephoto lens that supports 2x optical zoom and 4x lossless in-sensor zoom. The slightly pricier Phone (3a) Pro, on the other hand, features a 50MP periscope zoom lens with 3x optical zoom and 6x lossless in-sensor zoom. Both models are equipped with a 50MP primary wide-angle camera with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. For selfies, the Phone (3a) has a 32MP front camera, while the Phone (3a) Pro steps it up with a 50MP front camera. Both phones can record 4K video at 30fps on the main and selfie cameras. Additionally, these are the first smartphones from Nothing to support eSIM.
Display and The Glyph Interface
Both the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro sport a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED display, giving them a similar size and in-hand feel. However, if you look closely, there are noticeable changes. One significant update is the shift from polycarbonate to glass, offering a more premium look and feel while still showcasing the transparent design that has become iconic for Nothing devices. This transparency gives you a clear view of the Glyph Interface – a series of LED lights on the back of the phone, which continues to offer a unique and engaging way to manage app notifications. Over time, more features are expected to integrate with the Glyph Interface, further enhancing its utility.
So now that the Nothing Phone 3(a) series is finally out after a lot of anticipation it would be interesting to see how it actually performs under normal circumstances when it's in your hands. These devices definitely bring something new to the table and its iconic Glyph Interface is something that amps up the device's overall look and feel. Although in my opinion, the transparent look might be getting a little dated but by no means is it an anomaly and is consistent with keeping the legacy alive. So stay tuned as we unwrap this device even further, and bring you the latest updates!