Nothing is back with another exciting round of its Community Edition Project, and this time, it’s all about the upcoming Phone 3a. If you’re a creative mind with a love for tech and design, this could be your chance to leave a mark. Starting March 26, 2025, the UK-based tech brand is opening the floor to its community to help design a special version of the Phone 3a – and it’s going to be more than just a pretty face.
The Community Edition Project for Phone 3a will unfold in four unique phases: hardware design, accessory design, software design, and marketing campaign. It’s a collaborative approach that taps into the creativity of Nothing’s fanbase, inviting fresh, out-of-the-box ideas that the brand will help bring to life. Each phase focuses on a different aspect of the smartphone experience. And yes, winners won’t just get bragging rights – they’ll also receive a cash prize of GBP 1,000 (around Rs. 1,10,000) and the chance to collaborate directly with Nothing’s in-house team.
The first phase is all about the core of the phone – the hardware design. Participants can pitch their vision for how the Phone 3a should look and feel. Last year’s Phone 2a Plus Community Edition turned heads with its glow-in-the-dark design, so expectations are already high. This stage lets users work closely with Nothing’s hardware designers to explore what makes a smartphone stand out – from materials to finishes, and even design elements that might redefine what a mid-range smartphone can look like.
Next up is the accessory design phase. This is where your imagination can really run wild. Think of something unique that complements the Phone 3a – maybe a one-of-a-kind case, a collectible item, or even something completely unexpected. Whatever the idea, it should match the vibe of Nothing’s bold and minimalist aesthetic. These accessories won’t just be concepts either – they’ll be produced and shipped with the final Phone 3a Community Edition, making your design a part of the real deal.
What’s a custom phone without some slick software personalization? In this third phase, the community gets to design wallpapers, and widgets, and maybe even throw in some quirky animations. It’s all about creating a user experience that feels cohesive and distinct from the standard Nothing OS. Wallpapers especially can become iconic (think of those old-school Nokia themes or iPhone wallpapers that everyone remembers). So here’s a chance to design something that sticks.
Finally, we have the marketing campaign. This is the stage where creativity meets strategy. How do you introduce this limited-edition smartphone to the world? What should the ads look like? How do you make it go viral? That’s what this phase is about. Nothing will adopt the best ideas from the community, which could range from social media stunts to bold advertising concepts. If you’ve got a marketer’s mind and a designer’s soul, this phase is for you.
The Phone 3a Community Edition is expected to launch later this year, and it follows in the footsteps of last year’s Phone 2a Plus Community Edition, which was released in October with only 1,000 units and priced at Rs. 29,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB model. That device featured a glow-in-the-dark design and was a true collector’s item. Here’s a quick look at how this year’s edition breaks down:
With four stages, creative freedom, and direct collaboration with the Nothing team, this initiative is a goldmine for tech lovers who want their ideas to go from sketch to shelf. So if you’ve got a vision for what the next big phone should be, this is your moment to shine.
In other news, the Nothing Phone (2a), launched in March 2024 at a price of ₹23,999, is now available on Flipkart for ₹17,999 after a ₹6,000 discount for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Flipkart is offering up to ₹2,000 off with IDFC and OneCard credit cards, and an exchange bonus of up to ₹17,450.
Here’s how the revised pricing stands for all variants:
Despite being a lower-midrange device, the Nothing Phone (2a) continues to hold appeal thanks to its unique transparent back and Glyph Interface - a design choice that helps it stand out in a crowded market. Beyond its aesthetics, the phone offers a clean Android experience, respectable performance, solid battery life, and dependable cameras for day-to-day use. This phone checks many of the right boxes for anyone who values design and a smooth software experience over raw specs, especially at the new price.
However, the price drop doesn't change the phone's limitations. You'll need to purchase a charger separately, which can be an unexpected expense. There's also no headphone jack, and the storage type is UFS 2.2, which is slower than what some competitors offer in the same bracket. Peak brightness is limited to 1300 nits, and the IP54 rating means it's only splash-resistant, not fully water- or dust-proof.
In short, while the design is distinct and the phone delivers well on software and battery life, some tech-savvy users might find the specs lacking when compared to performance-focused rivals. The Nothing Phone (2a), at ₹17,999, is undeniably more attractive than it was at launch. It's not for power users or mobile gamers, but for those who want a stylish, reliable device that covers the basics with flair, it remains a compelling option.
