On March 4, 2025, Nothing launched its latest mid-range smartphones, the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro, making waves with their unique designs and innovative feature sets. Both devices aim to redefine expectations within the mid-range market, bringing high-end aesthetics and functionality at competitive prices, $599 AUD and $849 AUD respectively.
Nothing, the UK start-up known for its fresh approach to mobile technology, has impressively sold over 7 million units globally since its inception. This release signifies the brand's commitment to not merely joining the market but making significant technological advancements, as seen with the Phone (3a) series.
Both models sport Nothing's hallmark transparent design, now enhanced with upgraded glass rear panels, which showcase their internal components and exude modern sophistication. The phones feature the signature light glyph system around the camera modules, which serve multiple functions including notifications and music visualization. The (3a) has a pill-shaped camera module, whereas the (3a) Pro sports a larger circular bump, showcasing its superior camera capabilities.
The Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro each come equipped with 6.77-inch FHD+ OLED displays, maintaining 120Hz refresh rates and peak brightness levels of up to 3,000 nits. This impressive visual setup makes them ideal for everything from social media scrolling to gaming, promising vibrant and crisp experiences.
Both models offer strong photographic capabilities: the (3a) features a 50MP main camera combined with 8MP ultra-wide and 50MP telephoto lenses for versatile shooting options, including 2x optical and 30x ultra zoom capabilities. The (3a) Pro ups the ante with its advanced periscope lens, featuring 3x optical zoom and 60x ultra zoom, making it one of the first models to include this type of lens at such price points.
Selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the front cameras, which capture images at 32MP for the (3a) and 50MP for the (3a) Pro, both capable of recording 4K video. This positions both models competitively against flagship devices from other brands.
The core of the Phone (3a) series is the advanced Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, which ensures smooth performance and improved efficiency. This new chip is 33% faster than its predecessors and boasts enhanced GPU performance, making both models capable of handling intensive tasks without difficulty.
With their 5,000mAh batteries, the Nothing Phones (3a) support 50W fast charging, delivering 50% charge within just 19 minutes and achieving full capacity under 60 minutes, which is particularly appealing for heavy users.
New features like the Essential Space AI functionality are also included, which provides users with the ability to take screenshots, voice memos, and even contextualize information from what is displayed on their screens. This forward-thinking integration of AI enhances the user experience and demonstrates Nothing's commitment to combining technological innovation with everyday functionality.
Both devices also include the Essential Key, allowing users to quickly capture screenshots or voice notes. This dedicated button exemplifies the brand's focus on making smartphone use more intuitive and efficient.
While the phones are notable for their advanced features, their unique design has drawn mixed responses from consumers. The fun and quirky aesthetic stands out among competitors, but some have questioned whether it leans too far toward novelty over practicality. Despite this, the overall feedback points to both models being strong contenders within their respective price brackets.
Offering distinctive qualities, such as extensive camera systems, impressive processing power, and innovative software features, the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro are positioned to make significant impacts within the mid-range smartphone market. With the open sales for the Phone (3a) beginning March 11, and the (3a) Pro on March 25, anticipation is running high.
The Phone (3a) is available for pre-order now through major retailers like JB Hi-Fi, signaling Nothing's ambition to draw substantial attention within the competitive smartphone sector. Both models are likely to resonate particularly well with younger users and tech enthusiasts eager for fresh and functional alternatives to mainstream offerings.
Overall, the launch of the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro is not just about new hardware, but signals the brand's continued commitment to innovation and its quest to disrupt the smartphone marketplace, setting the stage for exciting developments ahead.