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Last year, the Phone (2a) series was Nothing’s most popular and best-selling device. Because of that, they’ve rushed to introduce the Phone (3a) series, which is said to be over 90% better than the previous generation. With so many people eagerly awaiting the Nothing Phone (3), are the newly launched Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro enough?
SPECIFICATION AND DESIGN
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Nothing Phone (3a)
6.77" flexible AMOLED screen
Panda Glass
1080 x 2392
120 Hz
1000 Hz touch sampling rate
3000 nits 6.77" flexible AMOLED
Panda Glass
1080 x 2392
120 Hz
1000 Hz touch sampling rate
3000 nits
Processing Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm)
1x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 chip
3x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A720
4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A520 1x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A720
3x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A720
4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A520
Adreno 710 Adreno 710 GPU
RAM Up to 12GB LPDDR5x
8GB virtual Memory Up to 12GB LPDDR5x
8GB virtual Memory
Storage Up to 256GB UFS 4.0 Up to 256GB UFS 4.0
Primary Camera 50MP (Wide), f/1.88, OIS & EIS, 2x zoom in sensor
50MP (Periscope), f/2.55, OIS & EIS, 3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor zoom, 60x Ultra Zoom
8 MP (Ultra Wide), f/2.2 50MP (Wide), f/1.88, OIS & EIS, 2x zoom in sensor
50MP (Periscope), f/2.55, OIS & EIS, 2x optical zoom, 4x in-sensor zoom, 30x Ultra Zoom
8 MP (Ultra Wide), f/2.2
Front Camera 50 MP f/2.2 32 MP f/2.2
Battery 5000 mAh
Wired charging 50W 5000 mAh
Wired charging 50W
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM/5G Dual SIM/5G
NFC Yes Yes
Audio jack None None
Waterproof IP64 IP64
Scanning system Optical under-screen fingerprint Optical under-screen fingerprint
Price Malaysia price not announced Malaysia price not announced
Both Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are the same device. Differentiating the two devices is the slightly different design and camera on the Pro model. For example, on the screen, each uses a 6.77″ Flexible AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz. It also supports a sampling rate of up to 1000Hz in front mode, has a brightness of up to 3,000 nits, supports HDR10+ display but no DRM support for Netflix and Prime Video. Nothing provides an almost edge-to-edge screen experience, making the user experience very satisfying.
This year, Nothing is collaborating with Snapdragon after the Phone (2a) uses a special MediaTek Dimensity chip. The chip of choice is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with memory and storage that can reach 12GB RAM + 256GB internal storage. Nothing wants Snapdragon's AI processing capabilities to handle the Essential Space feature and also their 50MP camera.
The design of both devices is an evolution of the Phone (2a) design. They take popular and beloved elements, changing them with a new layout that looks neat, sexy and very beautiful compared to competing devices. The design is flat all around, the screen is also flat, the shape is a box that is comfortable to hold, the body is aluminum with a glass back panel and not forgetting the camera bump that looks unique and strange because of its arrangement. Nothing also still retains their Glyph for the use of notifications without obsession with the screen.
The Nothing Phone (3a) series this time uses a waterproof and dustproof rating of IP64 compared to IP54 on the Phone (2a). At the bottom there is a speaker, USB-C port, sim card slot and microphone. Above is a second microphone, on the left side there is a volume button and on the right side, in addition to the power button, there is a new button called Essential Key with a glossy finish for use with new AI features.
CAMERA
Among the biggest changes for the Nothing Phone (3a) series is in terms of its camera system. This time Nothing has added another sensor, which is a telephoto on the Phone (3a) with 2X optical zoom capability and a 3x optical zoom periscope sensor on the Phone (3a) Pro. Each uses a size of 50MP and allows users to capture distant subjects with preserved quality, dynamic HDR and the best color reproduction with TrueLens Engine 3.0.
This is the first time Nothing has included a telephoto lens on its device and the presence of this telephoto lens makes this device from Nothing even more versatile for photography capabilities. For initial trials, the telephoto lenses on both devices managed to leave a good impression after trying it. However, what the results are after long-term use, is still unknown.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
For short-term use, I can say that the Nothing Phone (3a) series is more versatile and fun to use. With Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15 combined with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, it really provides a good and smooth experience. Icon design that shows the identity of Nothing, as well as no bulky applications and ads.
Nothing this time focuses on AI with the Essential Space feature. There is a special button called Essential Key to call up this AI application. This Essential Space is like a second memory for users where it can also be used as a limit to manage the overflow of screenshots. Screenshots made through this Essential Key allow users to add notes or record voice. The end result in Essential Space is that screenshots will have a summary and reminder for users to take the next step.
In Essential Space, all screenshots will be organized and AI will generate a summary from the screenshots made. Buyers of the Nothing Phone (3a) series will get early access to the Essential Space feature. For now, I am still experimenting with this new feature and will be reviewed further in the upcoming review.
In the camera application, there is also a new feature called Preset. This feature allows users to use several existing presets such as lenticular to take pictures. In addition, users can also create their own presets according to the desired settings. I feel this feature is quite useful for taking pictures, especially for photography enthusiasts.
CONCLUSION
The Nothing Phone (3a) series certainly brings good improvements from the previous generation. The build quality with a combination of glass and aluminum frame makes this device feel premium and comfortable in the hand. The use of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip is not the greatest in its class, but it is very smooth with the help of Nothing OS 3.1. The addition of telephoto and periscope sensors on both devices makes the Nothing Phone (3a) series versatile.
Both devices have already been confirmed to arrive in the Malaysian market. The sales price and launch date will be announced in the near future. If you don't want to wait for the flagship Phone (3), from this brief usage we agree that the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are worthy benchmarks for mid-range devices. So, which one should you buy?
PROS AND ADVANTAGES
A design that maintains its identity but looks fresh.
Great performance with Nothing OS 3.1.
The camera capabilities are beyond expectations for a mid-range device.
CONS AND CONS
No wireless charging or Qi2 support.
Water and dust protection is limited to IP64, not IP69 or IP69.
Software updates are still only 3+4 years away.