Nothing has as soon as once more launched out two fashionable and intriguing mid-range telephones, the Telephone (3a) and Telephone (3a) Professional. Whereas they after all share rather a lot in frequent, some key variations may sway you by hook or by crook.
The bottom Telephone (3a) looks like an awesome purchase with a succesful digital camera setup, distinctive design and strong specs. The Professional model, nonetheless, brings some notable upgrades but additionally a heftier price ticket.
So which one will show to be the higher selection? Let’s break down the three largest variations and see what they imply for you.
Nothing Telephone (3a) vs Telephone (3a) Professional: Cameras
The most important improve on the Telephone (3a) Professional is its digital camera system.
Whereas the usual Telephone (3a) has a good triple-camera setup with a 50Mp foremost, 50Mp 2x telephoto, and 8Mp ultrawide, the Professional model swaps out the 2x telephoto for a way more highly effective 50Mp 3x periscope telephoto lens.
Luke Baker
For informal customers, the digital camera setup on the Telephone (3a) is completely positive, providing strong picture high quality in good lighting and a few versatility with its lenses. Nevertheless, when you’re into zoom pictures or need to seize finer particulars from a distance, the 3x optical zoom on the Professional is a serious benefit.
Moreover, the Professional has a superior entrance digital camera, leaping from a 32Mp sensor to a 50Mp one, which suggests higher selfies and improved element.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry
That mentioned, except you’re continuously utilizing zoom pictures otherwise you’re huge on selfies, the additional value of the Professional won’t be price it. The usual Telephone (3a) nonetheless holds up properly for many each day snaps.
Nothing Telephone (3a) vs Telephone (3a) Professional: Design & Construct
The Telephone (3a) sticks to a extra acquainted design language, with a plastic body and clear again that resembles its predecessor, the Telephone (2a). The Professional, alternatively, takes a daring leap with an enormous, protruding digital camera bump that dominates the highest half of the gadget.
Whereas some may love the futuristic look, the added bulk makes it far much less engaging and sensible. It’s awkward in trouser pockets, for instance, and likewise makes the cellphone wobble when positioned flat on a desk.

Luke Baker
At 211g, the Professional is noticeably heavier than the usual Telephone (3a), which weighs 201g. This won’t seem to be an enormous distinction on paper, however in hand, the additional weight is kind of noticeable.
On the subject of color selections, the usual Telephone (3a) is offered in a extra vibrant blue choice, along with black and white. The Professional, nonetheless, sticks to simply black and gray, which can disappoint customers searching for a extra eye-catching end.
If you happen to favor a sleeker, extra comfortable-to-hold cellphone, the usual Telephone (3a) is the higher selection. However the Professional could possibly be price contemplating when you’re prepared to place up with the added bulk for the improved digital camera.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nothing Telephone (3a) vs Telephone (3a) Professional: Battery & Charging
Each telephones function a 5000mAh battery, which is a strong capability for a mid-range gadget. Nevertheless, battery life depends upon extra than simply capability.
In each day use, each telephones supply glorious longevity, usually lasting as much as two days on a single cost with reasonable use.

Luke Baker
Regardless of each telephones supporting 50W wired charging, the Professional mannequin really lacks behind. The Telephone (3a) reaches round 70% in half an hour, whereas the Professional will get to solely 47percentin the identical time.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Neither mannequin features a charger within the field, so that you’ll must buy a appropriate 50W charger individually when you don’t have already got one. Wi-fi charging is absent on each fashions, which is anticipated at this value vary.
Nothing Telephone (3a) vs Telephone (3a) Professional: Different variations
By way of storage and RAM choices, the Professional presents 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as commonplace, whereas the bottom Telephone (3a) begins at 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage, although a 12GB/256GB variant can be accessible.
There’s little in the best way of different variations as each telephones have the identical 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz display screen, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, IP64 ranking and different minor specs.
Nothing Telephone (3a) vs Telephone (3a) Professional: Worth & Availability
The Telephone (3a) begins at £329 for the bottom mannequin with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, whereas the higher-spec variant with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage prices £379.
Within the UK, it may be bought outright straight from Nothing and Amazon. Within the US, the cellphone is barely in the stores from Nothing for $379 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The Telephone (3a) Professional comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as commonplace and is priced at £449.
Within the UK, you should buy it straight from Nothing’s web site and Amazon. These within the US should purchase the cellphone from Nothing for $459.
If you happen to purchase these telephones outright, you’ll must pair them with a SIM contract. Make sure to take a look at our information to the very best SIM-only offers or see the very best choices within the UK under:
Verdict
For most individuals, the Telephone (3a) is the higher deal and we expect it’s the higher cellphone general with all issues thought-about.
It appears to be like nice, performs properly, and has a strong digital camera setup with out the additional bulk and value of the Professional.
Except you particularly need the higher telephoto digital camera or higher-res selfie digital camera, there’s little purpose to spend extra on the Professional, particularly with its large and considerably ugly digital camera bump.
See extra choices in our greatest mid-range cellphone information.