Introduction

This week marks the launch of Nothing's latest series of smartphones with the introduction of the budget-friendly a-series, featuring two models: the standard Nothing Phone (3a) and the upgraded Phone (3a) Pro. The standard version is already available for purchase, while tech enthusiasts can pre-order the Pro version, which is set to hit the shelves within a week.

Specifications

Both Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro sport impressive specifications, sharing a 6.77-inch 1080p+ display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. Each device is equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery supporting 50W wired charging, ensuring long-lasting usage throughout the day. Additionally, both models come with an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, along with the eye-catching Glyph lights on their rear side.

When it comes to pricing, the Nothing Phone (3a) is the more budget-friendly option, starting at €330 (£330/$400) for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the 12GB/256GB version retails for €380 (£380). In India, the pricing for the 256GB variant is set at ₹27,000 but utilizes 8GB of RAM instead. One notable missing feature in the (3a) model is the absence of eSIM support, which is available in the (3a) Pro across most regions except India.

Camera Capabilities

The camera systems are where the two models diverge significantly. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is equipped with advanced photography features, boasting a 50MP main camera with Dual Pixel autofocus, while its counterpart has a similarly sized 50MP sensor but lacks this feature. The front-facing camera also sees an upgrade in the Pro variant, featuring a 50MP sensor capable of recording 4K video at 30fps, compared to the 32MP and 1080p capabilities of the standard model.

Both devices feature 8MP ultra-wide cameras, which some users may feel is less compelling compared to the 50MP ultra-wide options seen in earlier iterations of Nothing phones.

What's truly groundbreaking in this series is the introduction of telephoto lenses. The Phone (3a) comes with a 50mm (2x) telephoto lens, while the Pro model boasts a more sophisticated 70mm periscope lens (3x) that also incorporates Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)—crucial for capturing stable images at longer distances, and focuses at much closer ranges (15cm vs. 25cm).

Availability and Choices

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is primarily available in one configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage for €460 (£450/$460), with additional options for Indian consumers at ₹30,000 for an 8GB/128GB model and ₹32,000 for an 8GB/256GB variant.

For those contemplating a new device, early reviews for the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro have been positive, highlighting its performance, especially in photography. The standard (3a) is also under review, which should provide insights into its performance across different use cases beyond just camera capabilities.

Final Thoughts

So, which phone should you choose? The Nothing Phone (3a) offers excellent value for everyday tasks that do not heavily rely on a superior camera. However, if you’re looking for advanced photography features, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro with its telephoto lens and enhanced camera functionalities could be worth the additional investment.

Will you be grabbing one of these trendy new devices? The choice is yours, and it looks like Nothing has positioned itself well in the mid-range smartphone market!