Nothing Phone (3a) specifications and in-depth review

Nothing Phone (3a)

Manufacturer: Nothing

The Nothing Phone (3a) is a modern smartphone designed with a 6.77″ OLED display and powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. It features a sleek design with a water-resistant build and a solid 201g weight, making it both durable and practical for daily use.

In terms of performance, the Nothing Phone (3a) comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device supports 5G connectivity and offers fast charging capabilities at 50W. The main camera setup consists of a 50MP + 50MP + 8MP triple lens, and the front camera is a 32MP sensor. With a 5000 mAh battery and 120Hz refresh rate display, it delivers a smooth and reliable user experience.

Pros
  • Supports 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds.
  • Equipped with a video light for enhanced video recording capabilities.
  • Includes a fingerprint scanner for added security and convenience.
  • Has a gyroscope, compass, and GPS for enhanced navigation and motion tracking.
Cons
  • Lacks wireless charging support.
  • Does not feature a removable battery.
  • Does not include a charger in the box.
  • No support for an external memory slot for expanded storage.
  • Does not offer satellite SOS or crash detection for emergency situations.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who prioritize fast connectivity and versatile multimedia features. With 5G support and a video light, it is well-suited for individuals who frequently stream or upload content on the go. The inclusion of a fingerprint scanner and various sensors, including a gyroscope and GPS, makes it perfect for those who require secure access and precise navigation, such as travelers or fitness enthusiasts.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be the best fit for users who rely heavily on advanced charging features, as it lacks wireless charging and a removable battery. It also does not come with a charger in the box, which could be inconvenient for some. Additionally, users who require extensive storage options might find it lacking due to the absence of an external memory slot.

Design:

water resistance Water resistant
weight 201 g
thickness 8.4 mm
width 77.5 mm
height 163.5 mm
volume 106.4385 cm³
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP64
has a rugged build
can be folded

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a sleek and practical design with a water-resistant build and a manageable weight of 201g. It has a thickness of 8.4 mm and dimensions of 77.5 mm in width and 163.5 mm in height. The phone offers an IP64 Ingress Protection rating, providing protection against dust and water splashes. With a volume of 106.4385 cm³, it is compact but not designed to be rugged, and it does not support folding functionality.

Display:

Display type OLED/AMOLED
screen size 6.77"
pixel density 387 ppi
resolution 1080 x 2392 px
refresh rate 120Hz
touch sampling rate 240Hz
brightness (typical) 800 nits
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
contrast ratio 5000000:1
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a 6.77″ OLED/AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2392 px, offering a pixel density of 387 ppi for crisp visuals. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate for a smooth and responsive experience. Additionally, it supports HDR10 and HDR10+ for enhanced dynamic range, with a typical brightness of 800 nits. It also includes an Always-On Display feature but lacks branded damage-resistant glass and Dolby Vision support.

Performance:

internal storage 256GB
RAM 12GB
AnTuTu benchmark score 816384
Chipset (SoC) name Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
GPU name Adreno 710
CPU speed 1 x 2.5 & 3 x 2.4 & 4 x 1.8 GHz
Geekbench 6 result (multi) 3239
Geekbench 6 result (single) 1162
3DMark Wild Life benchmark 4186
3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark 1063
Geekbench 5 result (multi) 3242
Geekbench 5 result (single) 893
GPU clock speed 1050 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 3200 MHz
semiconductor size 4 nm
Supports 64-bit
DirectX version DirectX 12
Has integrated graphics
OpenGL version 3.2
OpenGL ES version 3.2
Uses big.LITTLE technology
CPU threads 8 threads
Uses HMP
Has TrustZone
maximum memory bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
OpenCL version 2
maximum memory amount 16GB
uses multithreading
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 5W
DDR memory version 5
shading units 128
turbo clock speed 2.4GHz

The Nothing Phone (3a) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It features an Adreno 710 GPU, a CPU with a total clock speed of up to 2.5GHz, and supports 64-bit architecture for smooth performance. Benchmarks include an AnTuTu score of 816384 and a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 3239. The device also supports multithreading, DirectX 12, and OpenGL 3.2 for efficient graphics handling.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 50 & 50 & 8 MP
wide aperture (main camera) 1.9 & 2 & 2.2f
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 32MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 2160 x 30 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 2x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
wide aperture (front camera) 2.2f
Has timelapse function
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
supports HDR10 recording
supports Dolby Vision recording
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a powerful camera setup with a 50MP + 50MP + 8MP triple-lens main camera and a 32MP front camera. The main camera supports features such as optical image stabilization, phase-detection autofocus, 2x optical zoom, and HDR mode for high-quality photos and video. It is capable of recording 4K video at 30fps, slow-motion video, and timelapse. The front camera also includes a wide aperture for improved selfies and supports manual settings like ISO, focus, and exposure for creative control.

Operating system:

Android version Android 15
has clipboard warnings
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
has Mail Privacy Protection
has theme customization
can block app tracking
blocks cross-site tracking
has on-device machine learning
has notification permissions
has media picker
Can play games while they download
has dark mode
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has battery health check
has an extra dim mode
has focus modes
has dynamic theming
can offload apps
Has customizable notifications
has Live Text
has full-page screenshots
supports split screen
gets direct OS updates
has PiP
Can be used as a PC
Has sharing intents
has a child lock
Supports widgets
Is free and open source
Has offline voice recognition
has voice commands
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
is a multi-user system
has Quick Start

The Nothing Phone (3a) runs on Android 15 and offers various privacy and customization options. Users can enjoy features like clipboard warnings, location privacy settings, and camera/microphone access control. It supports dynamic theming, dark mode, customizable notifications, and split-screen functionality. Additional conveniences include offline voice recognition, live text, and the ability to play games while they download. The phone also supports multi-user functionality, battery health checks, and a child lock for enhanced security.

Battery:

battery power 5000 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 50W
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The device is equipped with a robust 5000 mAh rechargeable battery, providing long-lasting power. It supports fast charging at a speed of 50W, ensuring quick battery replenishment. Although wireless charging is not available, the phone includes a battery level indicator to keep track of its remaining charge. Note that the battery is non-removable, and the device does not come with a charger in the box.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio
number of microphones 3

This device features stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience, though it does not include a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack or support for advanced Bluetooth audio codecs like aptX, LDAC, or aptX HD. With three microphones built-in, it ensures clear voice capture for calls and recordings. However, it lacks a radio feature for traditional FM or AM broadcasts.

Connectivity & Features:

release date March 2025
has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
SIM cards 2 SIM
Bluetooth version 5.4
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
USB version 2
has NFC
download speed 2900 MBits/s
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

This device supports 5G connectivity for fast network speeds, along with Wi-Fi 4, 5, and 6 for versatile internet access. It also features Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and a USB Type-C port for flexible connectivity options. For security, a fingerprint scanner is included, while GPS, a compass, and a gyroscope enhance location and movement tracking. Unfortunately, it does not support external memory, satellite SOS, or certain advanced features like infrared sensors or HDMI output.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

This device includes a video light for enhanced lighting during video recording, making it ideal for content creation. However, it does not feature sapphire glass, a curved display, or an e-paper display, offering a more standard viewing experience.

Final Verdict

The product stands out with its robust connectivity options, including 5G support and an array of sensors like GPS and a gyroscope, making it a strong choice for users who require reliable performance for both navigation and multimedia. While it may not cater to those needing wireless charging or expandable storage, it offers key features like a fingerprint scanner and a video light that enhance security and content creation. Overall, this device is well-suited for users who prioritize modern connectivity and secure access, with a focus on practical everyday use.

Popular Comparisons

Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Cubot A40
Cubot A40
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Nothing Phone 3
Nothing Phone 3
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
CMF Phone 2 Pro
CMF Phone 2 Pro
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Google Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Honor 200
Honor 200
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Apple iPhone 16
Apple iPhone 16
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra
TCL NxtPaper 60 Ultra
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Vivo iQOO Neo10 Pro Plus (China)
Vivo iQOO Neo10 Pro Plus (China)
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Vivo T4 5G
Vivo T4 5G
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Pro
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Oppo K13 5G
Oppo K13 5G
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
TCL 60 NxtPaper 4G
TCL 60 NxtPaper 4G
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
TCL 60 NxtPaper
TCL 60 NxtPaper
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro
Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing Phone (3a)
VS
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24