Nothing Phone 3a: Is It the Best Budget Flagship of the Year?

Nothing Phone 3a: Is It the Best Budget Flagship of the Year?

Alright, let’s dive into the world of speculation and anticipation! The tech world is buzzing, and the whispers are growing louder: the Nothing Phone (3a) might be on the horizon. While the Nothing Phone (2a) has just made waves, the prospect of a more budget-friendly sibling has ignited a fresh wave of excitement. We’re all wondering: what will it look like? What features will it pack? And, most importantly, will it capture the same unique, transparent aesthetic that’s made Nothing a standout brand? Let’s unpack the early rumors and delve into what we might expect from the potential Nothing Phone (3a).

Nothing Phone 3a – Full Specifications

Network

• Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch

• Announced: Not announced yet
• Status: Rumored

Body

• Dimensions: 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)
• Weight: 201 g (7.09 oz)
• SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
• Build Features:
  • IP64 dust tight and water-resistant (water splashes)
  • 3 LED light strips on the back (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones)

Display

• Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)
• Size: 6.77 inches, 112.0 cm² (~88.4% screen-to-body ratio)
• Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
• Protection: Panda Glass
• Features: Always On Display

Platform

• OS: Android 15, Nothing OS 3.1
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)
• CPU: Octa-core
  • 1×2.5 GHz Cortex-A720
  • 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A720
  • 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A520
• GPU: Adreno 710 (940 MHz)

Memory

• Card Slot: No
• Internal Storage & RAM:
  • 256GB 8GB RAM
  • 256GB 12GB RAM

Main Camera

• Triple Camera Setup:
  • 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
  • 50 MP (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
  • 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
• Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
• Video Recording: 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie Camera

• Single: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
• Features: HDR
• Video Recording: 1080p@60fps

Sound

• Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
• 3.5mm Jack: No

Communications

• WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
• Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE
• Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
• NFC: Yes, 360°
• Radio: No
• USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Features

• Sensors:
  • Fingerprint (under-display, optical)
  • Accelerometer
  • Gyro
  • Proximity
  • Compass
• Special Feature: Circle to Search

Battery

• Type: 5000 mAh
• Charging:
  • 50W wired
  • 50% in 19 min
  • 100% in 56 min

Miscellaneous

• Colors: Black; other colors
• Model: A059

Conclusion

The Nothing Phone 3a aims to continue the brand’s legacy of sleek design and unique features while offering solid mid-range performance. With a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, a capable Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, and a versatile triple-camera setup, it seems to be a great option for those who love a premium experience at a competitive price. The LED Glyph interface remains a standout feature, enhancing notifications and camera functionality. However, the absence of expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack might be a drawback for some users.

FAQs

1. When will the Nothing Phone 3a be released?

The Nothing Phone 3a is still rumored, and an official release date has not been announced yet. However, based on past launches, it might be expected in the latter half of 2025.

2. What is the price of the Nothing Phone 3a?

As of now, there is no official pricing, but it is expected to be competitively priced in the mid-range segment, possibly around $400 to $500.

3. Does the Nothing Phone 3a support 5G?

Yes, the Nothing Phone 3a comes with 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for high-speed mobile networks.

4. Is the Nothing Phone 3a waterproof?

The phone has an IP64 rating, which means it is dust-tight and resistant to water splashes, but it is not fully waterproof or submersible.

5. Does the Nothing Phone 3a have wireless charging?

There is no confirmation on wireless charging yet, but considering it’s a mid-range device, it may not support it.

6. How good is the camera on the Nothing Phone 3a?

The phone features a 50 MP triple-camera setup, including a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and an ultrawide lens. It also supports 4K video recording and EIS stabilization, making it a promising choice for photography and videography.

7. What operating system does the Nothing Phone 3a run on?

The Nothing Phone 3a runs on Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1, offering a clean, near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware.