London-based tech agency Nothing has delighted us earlier than with its light-up Android telephones that present some much-needed frivolity in a world filled with plain, grey smartphones that take themselves too significantly. The Nothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro are lower from the identical material as their predecessors, packing stable all-round specs, reasonably priced worth tags and an LED-infused design that stands out from the gang.The Nothing Phone 3A is the bottom mannequin within the new collection, beginning at $379 with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. In the UK, you’ll be able to decide up a pared-back mannequin with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage for less than £329, or get the 12GB/256GB mannequin for £379. The Phone 3A Pro has a extra full-featured digicam system than the bottom 3A, however shares the identical processor, show and batteries. It prices $459 (£449) for the 12GB/256GB mannequin. I examined the Nothing Phone 3A Pro whereas on the bottom in Barcelona for final week’s Mobile World Congress. I’m fairly eager on the telephone’s steadiness of worth and efficiency and look ahead to seeing the way it stacks up in opposition to different reasonably priced telephones like the brand new Samsung Galaxy A collection and the Google Pixel 8A — in addition to pricier funds telephones just like the iPhone 16E.Read extra: MWC Barcelona 2025: What to Expect From Samsung, Xiaomi and ExtraNothing Phone 3A’s flashy design Flashy lights? Yes, please. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe design is the very first thing that stands out about these telephones. The glass again reveals screws and information ribbons, giving it an industrial look that I discover interesting. The LED lights — which Nothing calls the Glyph — are strewn across the digicam items on each telephones and lightweight as much as provide you with a warning to incoming notifications. They’re a enjoyable addition to Nothing’s telephones that you just will not discover wherever else.Both telephones have 6.7-inch shows that appeared vivid and vibrant throughout my hands-on time, simply countering Barcelona’s grey, overcast climate. Those beneath the intense noon California solar might have a special expertise. With an IP68 water resistance ranking, taking calls within the pouring rain (once more, not you, California) will not be an issue.Read extra: Samsung Shows Off Quirky Pincer Phone, Folding Console and Flexi Briefcase IdeasNothing Phone 3A and 3A Pro efficiency The show is vibrant and sharp. Andrew Lanxon/CNETPowering the 3A collection is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, which offered first rate scores on our benchmark assessments, particularly contemplating the value of the telephones. While not topping at present’s flagship telephones, the 3A Pro’s outcomes are extra in step with the Pixel 8A and Galaxy A35 5G, each of that are nice telephones. In on a regular basis use, the telephone has loads of energy for important duties, whereas video games like Alto’s Odyssey and Vampire Survivors ran easily.Read extra: Oppo Find N5 Review: A Remarkably Thin and Surprisingly Practical Foldable PhoneNothing Phone 3A and AIBoth telephones run Android 15 at their core, however Nothing has closely personalized the interface with a stark, monochrome aesthetic. It appears smooth, however I typically battle to differentiate app icons after they’re diminished to minimalist black-and-white buttons. Still, you is perhaps into the mono look, and if not, you’ll be able to customise the format to your liking. Nothing guarantees a complete of six years of software program and safety help, which is sweet, particularly contemplating the value. Gemini Advanced, Gemini Live and Circle to Search are all out there to make use of on the telephones, and whereas Nothing hasn’t thrown in a lot of its personal AI stuff (for which I’m grateful), it has launched one device that I fairly like. Called the Essential Space, it is designed as a central hub for storing your ideas, notes, screenshots and concepts all through the day. The Essential Space will replenish with all of your ideas and concepts. Maybe. Andrew Lanxon/CNETSee some footwear you want? Open the digicam and use the devoted Essential Space button on the aspect of the telephone to save lots of a shot — alongside together with your voice observe about them — to your Space. Need to purchase brie, vodka, get together hats and snake meals on the best way residence? A protracted button press will allow you to dictate your procuring checklist so as to add it to your Space to verify later. It’s a pleasant thought in idea, although proper now it appears restricted in its performance. Essential Space is basically a hub for screenshots and voice notes, however I see its potential. It’s refreshing to discover a characteristic that is each distinctive and genuinely helpful. Nothing emphasizes that Essential Space continues to be in beta, with extra options on the best way — so control this area.Read extra: We’ve Found 6 MWC 2025 Products You Can Actually Start Ordering Right NowNothing Phone 3A Pro digicamBoth telephones pack 50-megapixel fundamental cameras and whereas Nothing says the Pro mannequin has upgraded autofocus and dynamic vary, I have not but been capable of examine them, so my ideas listed here are based mostly on my use of the Phone 3A Pro.
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Taken with the primary digicam, this shot is vibrant and sharp. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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Despite the difficult high-contrast scene, the Phone 3A Pro does a good job balancing vivid highlights and shadowy areas. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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There are numerous filters, however I notably just like the black-and-white one. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
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The ultrawide digicam delivers a well-balanced publicity on this shot. Andrew Lanxon/CNETWhile the bottom 3A packs a 50 megapixel telephoto digicam able to 2x optical zoom, the 3A Pro’s 50-megapixel periscope digicam presents 3x optical zoom, with 6x “in-sensor” zoom, which successfully crops the sensor out to realize an extended zoom.
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Taken at 6x zoom, this shot stays good and sharp Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe base Phone 3A has a 32-megapixel front-facing digicam and the 3A Pro has a 50-megapixel sensor that is bigger to assist take sharper photographs.
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Testing the Pro’s front-facing digicam was the proper excuse to get a big beer. The picture itself is ok, particularly contemplating the comparatively low-light setting. Andrew Lanxon/CNETNothing Phone 3A, 3A Pro or a rival telephone? The Nothing 3A (left) and Nothing 3A Pro (proper). Andrew Lanxon/CNETI’m stunned by how little distinction there’s between the 2 fashions. With the identical processor, show, and 5,000mAh battery (with 50W quick charging), the primary distinctions are the added periscope zoom and the higher-resolution front-facing digicam. Is images essential to you? If so, perhaps spring for the professional. Otherwise, save your self a couple of bucks and go for the bottom mannequin. Both telephones appear to supply a stable total expertise at a genuinely cheap worth. At $379, it is an incredible deal for a telephone that may deal with virtually something — particularly when Apple considers $599 “affordable” for the iPhone 16E. However, except you want a brand new telephone instantly, it might be price ready to see how Samsung’s newly introduced Galaxy A26 and A36 stack up, or if Google’s Pixel 9A is simply across the nook. Watch this: Unboxing the Nothing Phone 3a Pro Shot With a 3a Pro’s Camera
00:37 Watch this: Nothing Phone 3A Unboxing
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