Nothing Phone (3a) review: Style and substance in an affordable package

The Nothing Phone (3a) brings a fresh take on smartphone design and usability, offering premium features at a price that won’t empty your wallet. Its sleek aesthetic, capable cameras, strong performance, and clever software features stand out in a crowded mid-range market. It may not boast every feature of the higher-end Pro model but delivers a well-balanced experience that punches well above its weight class. The combination of thoughtful design and practical functionality is aimed at users who want something different without spending a fortune.

Nothing has quickly made a name for itself by embracing minimalism, transparency, and user-focused innovation. The Phone (3a) carries on this legacy with refined hardware and the latest version of its distinctive software, Nothing OS 3.1. From the eye-catching Glyph Interface to the newly introduced Essential Space powered by AI, the brand is clearly trying to redefine how users interact with their devices. But good design and smart features can only take a phone so far—real-world performance, battery life, and usability still matter.

Modern design yet familiar

At first glance, the Nothing Phone (3a) maintains the brand’s signature transparent-inspired design. Flat surfaces and clean lines give it a polished, minimal look. Compared to previous models, the design is more refined, with a touch of nostalgia drawn from mid-century industrial styling. The horizontal camera layout avoids the large circular bump seen on the Pro model, keeping the back more symmetrical and straightforward.

The Glyph Interface, a standout feature of Nothing’s lineup, returns here. It uses three segmented LED strips with 26 individual zones that can light up for calls, notifications, timers, and more. It even doubles as a soft fill light when taking photos with the rear camera. While not essential, it’s fun and genuinely useful in certain scenarios.

Build quality is solid. The front and back are glass, framed by what feels like plastic but recycled aluminium. The IP64 rating improves on the previous generation’s splash resistance, though it’s still not waterproof. The Phone handles well despite the slightly larger 6.77-inch display, thanks to flat sides and a balanced weight of 201g.

Sustainability has been prioritised in the materials. Over half the plastic components are sustainably sourced, and the device uses recycled aluminium, steel, and tin in various components. Even the packaging is fully recyclable and plastic-free, clearly focusing on eco-conscious design.

Snappy performance with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset

Under the hood, the Phone (3a) is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. It’s an efficient, modern 4nm chip with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 710 GPU. In real-world use, performance feels snappy and smooth, with little to no lag when switching between apps, browsing, or watching videos.

The Phone handles everyday tasks with ease. Web browsing, social media scrolling, and streaming work seamlessly. It also manages moderate gaming reasonably well, though many high-refresh-rate games remain locked to 60Hz due to software limitations. Thermal performance is strong too, with a vapour chamber keeping the device cool during prolonged use.

Paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage (UFS 2.2), multitasking is fluid. However, the base model’s random read and write speeds lag slightly behind the Pro version. Still, for the average user, there’s little to complain about. Apps open quickly, background processes are well-managed, and AI-driven performance boosts kick in behind the scenes.

Battery life is respectable but not exceptional. The 5,000 mAh cell delivered an active use score of around 13.5 hours in testing. That’s decent, though a bit behind some competitors and even Nothing’s earlier models. The Phone can comfortably last a full day with moderate use, but heavy users must top up.

Sharp 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate

One of the highlights of the Phone (3a) is its vibrant and sharp 6.77-inch AMOLED display. With Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and support for HDR10+, it offers an excellent visual experience. Whether watching Netflix, scrolling Instagram, or reading the news, colours are bright and crisp.

Brightness has been significantly improved from previous models. The panel hits up to 1,273 nits in auto mode and peaks at 3,000 nits in HDR playback, making it easily viewable outdoors—even under direct sunlight. That makes the display a strong contender in its class, outshining many other mid-range phones.

The refresh rate is adjustable across four levels: 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz. The Dynamic setting does a good job of optimising battery life by scaling the refresh rate based on activity. However, not all apps support high refresh rates, and most video playback sticks to 30Hz. This can make things feel slightly less fluid at times.

Overall, display uniformity and colour calibration are commendable. Blacks are deep, contrast is strong, and viewing angles are wide. There’s also a high-frequency PWM dimming rate at 2,160Hz, which helps reduce flicker and eye strain—especially useful for those sensitive to screen brightness changes.

Camera and software add real-world versatility

The Nothing Phone (3a) delivers impressive results from its camera setup, especially considering the price. Equipped with a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical and 30x digital zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, the Phone covers a range of shooting scenarios. The front 32MP camera is capable of selfies and group shots, thanks to its wide field of view and sharp image output.

The camera captures detail well in real-world use, especially in good lighting. For instance, the images taken of the colonial-style white building show excellent sharpness and tonal balance. The textures of the window shutters and intricate façade details are rendered clearly, even in wide-angle shots. The main lens handles contrast effectively, and colours appear true to life without being overly saturated.

Zoom performance is another highlight. In shots of the black glass skyscraper and its surrounding urban environment, the telephoto lens maintains clarity across different zoom levels. Reflections on the glass surface and patterns on nearby buildings remain crisp, showcasing how well the AI-powered TrueLens Engine 3 processes lighting and edges. Even with 2x optical zoom, there’s little degradation in quality, making it easy to frame shots with a tighter focus.

The low-light performance is decent, although not groundbreaking. Features like Night Mode and Ultra XDR help improve dynamic range and reduce noise. While extreme low-light shots aren’t the Phone (3a) ‘s strongest suit, general dusk or indoor photography comes out well-exposed and usable. Software enhancements like Portrait Mode and AI scene detection also help elevate casual shots with minimal effort, making this Phone highly usable for everyday photography.

Software-wise, Nothing OS 3.1 atop Android 15 is clean, fast, and unique. The Dot Engine and custom widgets give the interface a consistent look. Essential Space, a new AI-driven feature, uses the dedicated Essential Key to store, transcribe, and organise voice notes and screenshots. It’s helpful if you’re into voice memos or note-taking, though its appeal may vary depending on personal habits.

The Glyph Interface is more customisable than ever, with options to control LED brightness, assign lights to contacts or apps, and display visual timers and volume levels. It’s clever and fun, though it may not be for everyone. Thankfully, it can be turned off or scheduled as needed.

The verdict: Nothing Phone (3a)

The Nothing Phone (3a) is one of the best-value smartphones in its price bracket. It offers an appealing design, a bright and responsive display, strong performance, and a solid camera system, all wrapped in a clean, user-friendly software experience. The Phone retains the brand’s signature style while adding practical features like the Essential Key and improved durability.

That said, it’s not perfect. Some might miss the absence of wireless charging and eSIM support. Charging speeds, while decent, fall short of the most competitive rivals. Battery life is also better, especially for power users who rely on their Phone for long days.

Still, for S$549, it’s hard to argue with what the Phone (3a) delivers. It offers a slice of flagship experience at a mid-range price, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for something different without compromising functionality. Whether you’re drawn to its unique design or smart features, the Phone (3a) proves that style and substance can go hand-in-hand.