Nothing Phone (3a) Pro review: A mid-range marvel with standout zoom

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro breaks away from the sameness that defines many mid-range smartphones today. At S$649, it offers a refreshing mix of design ingenuity, reliable performance, and a camera system that outperforms expectations. With its transparent back, flashing Glyph Interface, and feature-packed camera hardware, the Phone (3a) Pro manages to stand out without relying on gimmicks. But it’s not just the visuals that impress — it brings substance where it matters.

Nothing’s focus on experience rather than specs shows through in areas like its clean user interface, AI-powered Essential Space tool, and long-lasting battery. These aren’t just extra features for novelty—they come together to shape a phone that feels more thoughtful and personal than most in its price range.

Unique design with Glyph Interface

The design has always been Nothing’s strong suit, and the Phone (3a) Pro continues that tradition. It features a transparent glass back that reveals the internal components arranged in a neat, almost artistic layout. The design draws inspiration from Japanese minimalism and industrial aesthetics from the 60s and 70s, making it feel nostalgic yet forward-looking. The Glyph Interface, made up of LED strips around the camera module, adds a playful but purposeful layer. These lights flash and pulse in different patterns to signal incoming calls, messages, timers and charging status.

The materials used feel premium. The front and back panels are covered in high-grade tempered glass, while the sides are reinforced with recycled aluminium. Despite the glass construction, the Phone feels sturdy and well-balanced in the hand. With an IP64 rating, it’s splash-resistant, so it can survive the occasional accidental spill or rain.

The button placement is mostly well thought out. The volume rocker sits on the left edge, while the power button is on the right. The new Essential Key is just beneath the power button — a shortcut for capturing screen content or voice notes. While useful, its position makes it easy to press by mistake, especially when picking up the Phone quickly. In the first few days of use, confusing it with the power button and taking accidental screenshots or unintentionally launching the Essential Space feature is common.

At 211 grams, the Phone is a bit heavy, but the weight is distributed evenly, and the flat edges make it comfortable to hold over long periods. The rear camera bump is noticeable but doubles as a natural resting place for the index finger, adding a bit of grip to an otherwise sleek form.

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor for smooth operations

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor and paired with 12GB of RAM (plus up to 20GB from RAM Booster), the Phone (3a) Pro handles daily tasks smoothly and efficiently. Whether launching apps, browsing social media, editing documents or jumping between apps, the Phone rarely shows signs of lag. Gaming performance is decent too — games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 ran without hiccups, even during longer sessions.

Thermal management has been well addressed with a 4,500mm² vapour chamber that keeps the device cool. After heavy usage — including camera tests, video playback, and gaming — the Phone warmed up slightly but never became uncomfortable to hold. That’s a big plus for users who rely on their phones for extended tasks or content creation.

The battery life is genuinely impressive. With its 5,000 mAh capacity, the Phone (3a) Pro lasted nearly two full days with moderate use, including photography, messaging, music streaming, and occasional gaming. Under heavier use, it comfortably powered through an entire day. When it does need charging, the 50W fast charge support gets you to 50% in under 20 minutes, though the charger isn’t included in the box.

Even with multiple apps open in the background and the screen brightness set to high, the Phone performed reliably. It’s not aiming to beat flagships in raw benchmarks, but for a mid-range device, it offers all the performance most users will need.

Triple camera setup with 50MP primary camera

The Phone (3a) Pro’s triple camera setup is its biggest strength and perhaps its most surprising feature for this price point. It includes a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens capable of 3x optical, up to 60x digital zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. A 50MP front camera that supports 4K video recording with AI stabilisation as well.

During testing, the camera system delivered excellent results across different environments. Shots around the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, including the “WE love LKC Medicine” sculpture and glass building facades, showed the camera’s dynamic range. Reflections, shadows, and bright outdoor lighting were handled well, and images retained their sharpness without overblown highlights. The periscope zoom lens provided surprisingly clear details when zooming in on the signage and textures from a distance. Even at 6x, photos were sharp enough to capture clean lines and text. Beyond 10x, the quality begins to dip, as expected, with a painterly effect becoming noticeable at the 60x range.

The ultra-wide camera had a noticeably more expansive field of view but tended to soften the edges of the image slightly. This was most apparent in the roundabout and sculpture area shots, where straight lines began to curve and details dropped off at the corners. Still, it’s usable for landscape shots or casual group photos.

Macro performance stood out during a café visit. A close-up shot of a slice of pistachio chocolate cake revealed layers and textures beautifully. From the drizzle of chocolate syrup to the sharpness in the slivered almonds, the image retained detail that most phones in this segment would usually blur out. Colour tones remained rich but not oversaturated, and the background blur felt natural rather than artificially applied.

The front-facing 50MP camera is also worth mentioning. It handles selfies well, even in challenging lighting, and the 4K video quality is crisp enough for content creation, video calls, or vlogging. Night mode on both front and back cameras adds brightness without compromising detail — something many phones still struggle with.

Innovative features and software innovations

Running on Nothing OS 3, the Phone (3a) Pro brings a unique software experience that sets it apart from other Android devices. From the moment you power on the Phone, you’re greeted by dot-matrix-themed animations, minimalist icons, and a UI that’s equal parts fun and functional. The monochrome icons, round widgets, and smooth transitions make the home screen feel like an art installation that’s still incredibly usable. The UI avoids clutter, offering an intentional and calming layout.

The Essential Space feature is a key part of the software experience. You can capture a screenshot with a quick press of the Essential Key, while a long-press records a voice note. These entries are then sent to Essential Space, where the Phone summarises and sorts the content using AI. It’s a clever feature that helps capture spontaneous thoughts, reminders, and ideas. For example, walking past a mesmerising display or dish, you can snap and store it with context, then retrieve it later with a summary or tag. Voice recordings are transcribed during a meeting, with to-do items automatically highlighted — a real productivity booster.

There’s potential for this to become a key part of how users organise their digital lives, though some areas still feel underdeveloped. Still, it’s miles ahead of the gimmicky AI tools that are flooding other smartphones right now.

The Glyph Interface is also more than just for show. Specific lights can be assigned to key contacts or apps, allowing you to identify what’s happening without turning the screen on. It also works as a timer visual, a countdown for the camera shutter, and even a mini ring light when shooting in low light. While the idea may sound novel, it reduces the need to pick up and check the Phone constantly in practice.

The verdict: Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro proves that a mid-range phone can be stylish, smart, and highly capable. Its transparent design and flashing lights certainly help it stand out. This phone is unique because it combines strong fundamentals with thoughtful innovation.

The camera system is genuinely impressive for this price range. The zoom capabilities and macro results deliver real-world value, and the software enhances photography without overprocessing. Battery life is dependable, and charging is fast enough to remove any anxiety about running low. While the Essential Space feature and Glyph Interface might take a few days to get used to, they offer practical benefits once you get the hang of them.

Some quirks remain — the Essential Key should ideally be customisable, and AI features still have room to grow — but these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise well-rounded device. For anyone looking for something fresh, personal, and reliable without breaking the bank, the Phone (3a) Pro is one of the best options today.