Nothing Phone 3A Review – Bold Design, Smart Software & A Fresh Mid-Range Experience!

When a brand like Nothing launches a new smartphone, it always manages to turn heads. The Nothing Phone 3A arrives with high expectations, especially in the Indian mid-range segment where Nothing has built a reputation for blending art, design, and clean software. The hype this time was huge—Nothing even hinted that the Phone 3A’s camera could challenge the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

But does it actually deliver? Let’s take a closer look at its design, performance, software, camera, and overall experience.

Design & Build Quality

If you’ve used the Nothing Phone 2A, the Phone 3A will feel familiar yet more refined. It keeps the transparent aesthetic but now sports a tempered-glass back instead of polycarbonate, giving it a sturdier and more premium feel.

At 205 grams and 8.3 mm thick, it feels solid and balanced in the hand. The polycarbonate frame remains but doesn’t look cheap. An IP64 rating protects it against light splashes, and the white model hides fingerprints far better than the darker one.

The design is unmistakably Nothing—bold, minimal, and unlike anything else in this price range.

Glyph Interface: Still the Head-Turner

The signature Glyph Lights are back and still as distinctive as ever. The layout has changed slightly, but the charm remains.

The entire pattern lights up for incoming calls.
Notifications from key apps (like WhatsApp and Instagram) stay illuminated until you check them.
The top-left strip doubles as a progress indicator for timers, rides, or deliveries.

It’s functional, fun, and refreshingly different in a market of look-alike slabs.

Display & Multimedia

The 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate delivers smooth, vivid visuals. With 3,000 nits peak brightness, it stays readable even in harsh sunlight. HDR playback works well on YouTube and Prime Video, though Netflix still lacks HDR support.

However, Panda Glass replaces Gorilla Glass 5—a small downgrade, so a screen protector is recommended. The dual stereo speakers sound rich and loud, making this one of the better media phones under ₹25 k.

Performance & Hardware

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset powers the Nothing Phone 3A, prioritizing stability and efficiency over raw power. Benchmarks average around 800 K AnTuTu, right on par for its segment.

Paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, day-to-day tasks run smoothly, and you can juggle 7–10 apps without reloads. While UFS 2.2 isn’t the fastest, real-world performance remains fluid.

Gaming is reliable—BGMI runs at HDR + 60 FPS and COD Mobile plays without heating issues, with temperatures peaking near 38 °C. The vapor-cooling system does its job well.

Software: Nothing OS 3.1 on Android 15

This is where the Nothing Phone 3A truly stands out. Nothing OS 3.1, based on Android 15, is one of the cleanest Android experiences today—no ads, no bloatware, just pure smoothness.

Key new features include:

Smart App Drawer that auto-organizes apps.
Custom Folders for hidden apps.
Minimalist Gallery App with Nothing’s aesthetic.
Circle to Search support.

The highlight is the Essential Space Button, placed below the power key. Press once for screenshots and quick notes, hold to record voice memos, and double-press to open a private workspace. It even uses AI to summarize notes or identify products.

Nothing promises three years of OS updates and up to six years of security patches—a major plus for long-term users.

Camera System

The Nothing Phone 3A features a versatile camera setup:

50 MP main sensor (with OIS)
50 MP telephoto lens
8 MP ultra-wide
32 MP selfie camera

In daylight, the camera captures vibrant, sharp images with pleasant contrast. Portrait mode handles edge detection well, and the new LUT presets let users create and save their own filters for quick access.

That said, the camera still feels inconsistent—colors vary between shots, and the ultra-wide sensor lacks detail. Night mode photos lean too warm and sometimes show flare.

Video recording caps at 4K 30 FPS (rear) and 1080p 60 FPS (front). It’s fine for casual users but not meant for serious content creators.

In short, the camera’s hardware is strong, but the software needs more tuning to reach its full potential.

Battery & Charging

A 5,000 mAh battery powers the Nothing Phone 3A, and it performs beautifully. Even under heavy use, it easily lasts a full day, offering 9–10 hours of screen-on-time. Overnight drain is around 2%.

Charging speeds are moderate—50 W fast charging takes roughly 85 minutes for a full top-up. Unfortunately, no charger is included in the box.

Overall, the battery life is one of the best aspects of this phone—efficient, reliable, and worry-free.

Pricing & Verdict

Nothing Phone 3A Price in India: ₹24,999
With offers, you can grab it for around ₹23,000.

The Nothing Phone 3A is a fresh breath in the mid-range market. It looks unique, runs flawlessly smooth software, and offers dependable battery life. The camera could use some refinement, but everything else—from design to daily performance—hits the mark.

If you value a distinctive design, bloat-free software, and all-day endurance, the Nothing Phone 3A is easily one of the best phones around ₹25 K in 2025.

Final Verdict

The Nothing Phone 3A is proof that you don’t need flashy specs to stand out. Its charm lies in its simplicity—clean UI, bold design, and consistent performance. While the camera isn’t perfect, the overall experience feels polished and genuinely enjoyable.

If you catch it on sale, it’s an absolute mid-range gem.

FAQ – Nothing Phone 3A

1. Is the Nothing Phone 3A worth buying in India?

Yes. The Nothing Phone 3A offers a unique design, fluid software, and strong battery life, making it one of the best mid-range phones in 2025.

2. Does the Nothing Phone 3A have a good camera?

The Nothing Phone 3A camera performs well in daylight but still needs software tuning for consistent results.

3. How long will the Nothing Phone 3A get updates?

Nothing promises three major Android updates and up to six years of security patches.

4. What is the charging speed of the Nothing Phone 3A?

The Nothing Phone 3A supports 50 W fast charging, but a charger is not included in the box.

5. What’s special about the Nothing Phone 3A design?

The Nothing Phone 3A’s transparent back, glass build, and functional Glyph Lights make it one of the most creative mid-range phones on the market.

Nothing Phone 3A Review – Bold Design, Smart Software & a Fresh Mid-Range Experience!