Nothing’s latest smartphones, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, are set to hit the market soon, and they promise to deliver significant advancements at competitive prices. Launching on March 11 and March 25, 2025, respectively, these new devices come packed with features aimed at enhancing user experience.
The Nothing Phone (3a) starts at AU$599, and the higher-end Pro version is priced at AU$849. Pre-orders for both models began on March 4, 2025, at select retailers, allowing eager customers the opportunity to secure their devices early.
One of the standout features of both phones is the Essential Space AI function—a personal assistant focused on mindfulness, aimed to help users manage and recall important information with ease. The Essential Space feature can save everything from screenshots to voice notes, streamlining how users organize digital details. It seems to be part of Nothing's broader aim of interlinking technology and personal well-being.
The phones also exhibit impressive hardware specifications, likely to attract consumers on various budgets. Both models boast a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 2392 x 1080 resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Each runs on Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1, coupled with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, which is expected to deliver satisfactory performance for day-to-day applications.
On the camera front, the Nothing Phone (3a) features front and rear setups, with its rear system consisting of a 50MP wide, 50MP telephoto, and 8MP ultra-wide camera. Meanwhile, the Pro model enhances the photographic offering by including a periscope telephoto lens, allowing for more advanced zoom capabilities.
Nevertheless, there are mixed opinions about some design choices, particularly the camera module on the Pro model, described as large and asymmetrical, which some users may find off-putting. This is compounded by the Essential Key, which users can employ to trigger the Essential Space app; questions have surfaced about its user-friendliness.
While the Essential Space aims to simplify information management, opinions on its effectiveness remain divided. Users have reported mixed experiences, citing delays and lack of accessibility to backed-up data, raising concerns about the long-term utility of relying on this feature for key organization tasks.
Competitive pricing has undoubtedly placed the Nothing Phone (3a) variants within reach of budget-conscious shoppers who are increasingly bombarded with high-price alternatives from established giants like Apple and Samsung, which price their devices well above the Nothing series.
Both phone variants favor their appeal with significant internal upgrades as well, including varying RAM options (8GB or 12GB for the 3a and 12GB for the 3a Pro) and storage options (128GB or 256GB, non-expandable). The 5,000mAh battery spanning both models ensures longevity throughout daily use, which should alleviate concerns for users who rely on their devices throughout the day.
With upcoming competition against Google’s anticipated Pixel 9a and Apple’s iPhone 16e, which recently launched at nearly double the price of the 3a versions, consumers have more options to choose from than ever before. The Nothing Phone's innovations could mark it as the frontrunner for value-driven consumers this year.
Expanding their line of devices this year marks Nothing’s attempt to carve out its niche within the crowded smartphone market, and with intriguing, fresh designs, enhanced AI features, and competitive pricing, it’s clear the company is striving to meet the needs of diverse users.
Although the narrative surrounding the Essential Space feature is still being written, enthusiastic users and critics alike await comprehensive evaluations post-launch to determine if the experience lives up to the design promise.
Overall, consumers eagerly awaiting the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro can expect impressive specs with potential drawbacks surrounding UI functionality. Set within the price range of AU$599 to AU$849, these models position themselves attractively against similarly priced contenders.