Nothing Phone (3a) Pro review: Second fiddle

For an organization that’s by no means made a flagship telephone, Nothing actually will get a whole lot of consideration. 

The British agency, based by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has aggressively focused the mid-range phase because it started releasing telephones in 2022. And with all its handsets boasting eye-catching designs, customisable ‘Glyph’ lights and retro-inspired software program, they immediately stand out from the competitors. 

In 2025, Nothing has taken the bizarre step of launching its Telephone (3a) Collection earlier than the common Telephone (3). There are two fashions once more this yr, although the usual (3a) is now joined by a ‘Professional’ as a substitute of a ‘Plus’. 

Regardless of its title, the latter nonetheless prices simply £449/$459. Is it the very best telephone at this worth level, and are there sufficient causes to purchase it over the £329/$379 common Telephone (3a)? I spent two weeks with the Telephone (3a) Professional to search out out. 

Design & Construct

• Semi-transparent again with ‘Glyph’ lights
• Large rear digicam bump
• IP64 water and mud resistance

In my hands-on with the Telephone (3a) Professional, I described it as “probably the most uncommon telephone I’ve ever tried”, and I stand by that. 

As somebody who reviewed the Telephone (2a), which may come as a shock. Certainly, the semi-transparent again and signature ‘Glyph’ lights we’ve come to affiliate with Nothing telephones each stay. Nonetheless, there are a few key {hardware} adjustments that make the (3a) Professional really feel like a really completely different telephone. 

The one you’ve in all probability already seen is the rear digicam module, an enormous disc that takes up practically all the high half of the telephone. It’s a giant departure from the Telephone (2a) and (3a)’s cameras, that are far more discreet. 

Now, I don’t have an issue with the best way it appears, although I desire the design of different Nothing telephones. However the additional bulk it provides to the gadget quickly will get annoying. 

The digicam bump stands proud considerably from the again of the telephone, making it wobble when making an attempt to make use of face-up on a desk. It’s a disgrace as a result of the glass again is grippy sufficient to make going case-free a sensible choice. 

And at 211g, the Telephone (3a) Professional is considerably heavier than each the 201g common Telephone (3a) and 190g Telephone (2a). Should you’re coming from any sub-200g telephone, it is a distinction you’ll discover. 

The opposite huge change is the addition of a bodily button to the plastic sides of the telephone. And no, it’s not an Apple-inspired Motion Button or Digital camera Management button.

As an alternative, it’s what Nothing is looking the ‘Important Key’ – a shortcut that permits you to rapidly seize voice notes, photographs and screenshots, all of that are despatched on to the AI-enabled ‘Important Area’ app. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

I’ll discuss extra about its performance within the ‘Software program & Options’ part, however what I’ll say is that it’s very delicate. I can’t inform you what number of occasions I by chance pressed it when taking the telephone out of my pocket or looking for the ability button. 

An enormous factor the telephone has in its favour is sturdiness. The (3a) Professional feels very well-built, and would possibly simply be the hardest glass-backed telephone I’ve tried. You additionally get an improved IP64 score, that means it’s totally dust-resistant and may survive splashes of water, although full submersion is out of the query. 

Sadly, the Telephone (3a)’s eye-catching blue end isn’t obtainable on the Professional. As an alternative, you get a selection between the boring gray I examined or a basic black. If you’d like a vibrant telephone, the (3a) Professional ain’t it. 

Display & Audio system

• 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display
• Optical under-display fingerprint sensor
• Stereo audio system

Telephone shows have gotten so good not too long ago that you would be able to get a flagship-quality display on a mid-range handset. And that’s undoubtedly true for the Telephone (3a) Professional. 

It boasts a 6.77-inch, Full HD+ (1080 x 2392) flat AMOLED panel that’s up there with the perfect. It gives the wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks we’ve come to affiliate with OLEDs, making it superb for video content material and social media. 

Regardless of not matching most flagships’ 1440p decision, element and readability are nonetheless glorious. I couldn’t inform the distinction between the shows on the Telephone (3a) Professional and the £999/$999 Samsung Galaxy S25+, and I doubt you could possibly both. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

That’s earlier than we even get to the 120Hz refresh charge, which delivers the quick transitions and silky-smooth visuals that make the telephone extra pleasant to navigate. The one slight catch is that the default ‘Dynamic’ mode can solely go all the way down to 30Hz, moderately than 1Hz, limiting the ability effectivity (and subsequently battery life) advantages.

Nothing advertises as much as 800 nits of typical brightness and 300 nits at its peak, making it one of many brightest shows round. I had no issues with outside visibility, even in brilliant daylight. 

Whereas the bezel isn’t fairly as slim as many high-end telephones, I do recognize that it’s constant all the best way across the edge display. It provides the gadget a lovely symmetry. 

I need to give the under-display fingerprint sensor a particular shoutout. It’s an optical scanner moderately than the extra superior ultrasonic model we see on flagships, however I discovered it to unlock extra persistently and rapidly than any telephone I’ve tried not too long ago. 

On paper, the Telephone (3a) Professional gives an unremarkable pair of audio system. However the audio is surprisingly punchy, providing a depth we don’t usually see on telephones. It gained’t exchange devoted audio system or headphones, nevertheless it’s loads adequate for informal use. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset
• 12GB RAM
• 256GB non-expandable storage

On paper, the Telephone (3a) Professional is nothing (pun meant) particular in the case of efficiency. Similar to the Telephone (3a), it makes use of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, a transparent step down from Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite. 

I used to be initially disillusioned that Nothing determined in opposition to a extra highly effective chip on a telephone that’s £120/$80 dearer. However then I began utilizing it. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Slightly than being a weak spot, efficiency is definitely one of many Telephone (3a) Professional’s primary strengths. Alongside 12GB of RAM, the telephone is fluid and extremely responsive, excelling throughout all on a regular basis duties: internet shopping, social media, messages, e-mail and taking a lot of photographs. 

It’s additionally very adept at multitasking, permitting me to rapidly swap between them with out lacking a beat. There have been some very occasional hesitations and stutters, however they felt like software program bugs moderately than a scarcity of energy. 

Gaming is the place its limitations start to point out, with some noticeable dropped frames whereas enjoying demanding AAA titles, so that you would possibly have to drop from 60fps to 30fps to make sure {smooth} gameplay. The Telephone (3a) Professional additionally averted getting noticeably sizzling, even throughout these longer classes. 

However except you’re an avid gamer or need to use some severe enhancing software program, the Telephone (3a) Professional has all of the efficiency you could possibly ever want. 

The identical could be stated for inner storage, regardless of the shortage of assist for Micro-SD growth. 256GB is loads for most individuals, particularly for those who depend on cloud storage for lots of your information. 

Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional benchmarks

Cameras

• 50Mp, f/1.9 primary
• 50Mp, f/2.6 3x periscope telephoto
• 8Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide
• 50Mp, f/2.2 selfie

If I might discover one primary weak spot with the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional, it’d be the cameras. Not that they’re particularly dangerous – certainly, the telephone can take a number of the greatest photographs of any mid-range telephone – however they’re not constant sufficient to be relied upon. 

Let’s begin with the positives. In good lighting situations, the primary 50Mp lens is strong. It captures a superb stage of element and nice dynamic vary whereas typically avoiding over- or underexposing backgrounds. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Pictures are typically true to life, whereas the telephone handles advanced landscapes and complicated structure equally successfully. 

The massive improve in comparison with the common Telephone (3a) is the 50Mp periscope telephoto, permitting it to supply an extended focal size (and so extra zoom) than an everyday telephoto with out including considerably to the general thickness. 

It means the (3a) Professional can take full 50Mp pictures at 3x optical zoom or 12Mp photographs at 6x optical zoom. Photographs are impressively clear and crisp, to the extent that you just may not have the ability to inform them aside from a flagship telephone such because the Galaxy S25 Extremely. 

Nonetheless, with out a variable aperture lens (the place the focal size could be adjusted), photographs in between these optical zoom settings depend on the a lot inferior digital zoom. That’s additionally the case past 6x, the place there’s a pointy decline in high quality all the best way to the utmost 60x. 

The place the telephoto lens actually shines is macro pictures, permitting you to seize unimaginable particulars from as little as 15cm away. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Telephone (3a) Professional’s macro pictures is up there with the perfect. 

You’ll additionally in all probability be counting on the telephoto for portrait-style pictures. Edge detection could be a difficulty, however I used to be in a position to seize some attractive pet photographs, and I really like how a lot flexibility Nothing gives when it comes to the extent of background blur. 

On the entrance, the 50Mp lens is a superb choice. It retains topics in focus with out blowing out the background, and I’m impressed by the best way it handles pores and skin tones. With the ability to swap from the default 1.2x zoom to a barely wider 1x mode is a pleasant contact. 

That’s a whole lot of positives, so what’s truly flawed with the cameras? Sadly, there are two huge areas the place the Telephone (3a) Professional falls quick. 

The primary is when the lighting is lower than superb. Low-light environments are the apparent instance – even with the long-exposure night time mode enabled, the telephone may be very hit-and-miss. For each spectacular photograph, there’s one other that will get all of it flawed. 

The telephone additionally struggles in harsh lighting situations. Below the intense lights of the MWC present ground, the Telephone (3a) Professional struggled with readability and color accuracy much more than I had anticipated. I ended up regretting utilizing it for product pictures whereas out in Barcelona. 

After which there’s the ultrawide. Given it’s simply an 8Mp sensor, I wasn’t anticipating picture high quality to be on par with the primary or telephoto lenses. However the drop-off is so vital that it negated any advantages from the 120-degree discipline of view. Sadly, for the very best pictures expertise, it’s greatest to keep away from this lens altogether. 

See extra picture samples within the gallery under:

On the video facet, the Telephone (3a) Professional is restricted to 4K at 30fps. That’s simply tremendous for most individuals, however the high quality of footage can range considerably. And once more, it struggles in low gentle. 

General, the Telephone (3a) Professional’s cameras aren’t dangerous in any respect, particularly at this worth. However there are sufficient flaws so that you can look elsewhere if top-quality photographs and movies are necessary to you.  

Battery Life & Charging

• 5000mAh battery
• 50W wired charging
• No wi-fi charging

The Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional has what’s in all probability the most well-liked battery capability on a telephone: 5000mAh. 

Nonetheless, as we’ve seen previously, battery life can range massively. Fortunately, the (3a) Professional is among the higher ones I’ve tried, comfortably lasting a full day on a single cost. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

I used it throughout a number of lengthy days at MWC in Barcelona, together with a lot of pictures, excessive brightness and near-permanent use of cellular knowledge and GPS. By bedtime (usually after midnight), I nonetheless usually had round 20-30% cost left. 

Since I bought again and have been working from dwelling, I’ve typically gone two days between prices. Basically, except you propose on gaming every single day, you don’t have to fret about battery life on the Telephone (3a) Professional. 

The telephone helps wired charging as much as 50W, however like most telephones today, Nothing doesn’t embody the charger within the field. Utilizing a 65W one I had at dwelling, it reached 25% after quarter-hour and 47% by the half-hour mark. You gained’t get a full cost in an hour, however you’ll in all probability get a full day of utilization. 

Sadly, there’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging, however that’s not a giant shock at this worth level. 

Software program & Options

Nothing’s software program expertise is among the huge causes to purchase its telephones.  

The NothingOS 3.1 pores and skin has a really completely different feel and appear to ‘inventory’ Android 15, however solely if you need it to. Nothing permits you to undertake a Pixel-style dwelling display whenever you arrange the Telephone (3a) Professional, that means you’ll be able to keep away from all of its quirks. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nonetheless, for those who’re a fan of customisation, I’d urge you to strive it out. There are nearly limitless methods to create a glance that’s really yours, combining customized icons with dozens of widgets and Nothing’s signature retro aesthetic. There actually is nothing else fairly prefer it. 

In contrast to Samsung’s One UI 7, Nothing nonetheless combines the notification tray and fast settings into one view, which I personally desire. The latter may be very simple to make use of, providing satisfying animations that make it really feel very slick and polished. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Whereas there may be some bloatware – many individuals will desire to make use of Google apps moderately than Nothing’s personal variations, which frequently can’t be uninstalled – the eye to element is spectacular. Each Nothing app has a constant feel and appear, one thing you don’t usually get from Android skins. 

After all, the customisation choices lengthen to the ‘Glyph Interface’ of lights on the again, which can be utilized to show incoming calls and notifications, present timer progress and even flash alongside to the music. Should you desire visible moderately than sonic cues, it may be very helpful. I simply want extra third-party apps have been supported – at the moment, it’s simply Uber, Zomato and Google Calendar. 

Nothing has utilized AI fairly sparingly, counting on Google’s Gemini and Circle to Seek for the majority of it. They work simply in addition to on another telephone and are positively value having. 

The important thing differentiator is the beforehand talked about ‘Important Area’. It acts as a hub for principally something you need to keep in mind, permitting you to seamlessly add voice notes (that are then transcribed), photographs, movies and screenshots by way of the ‘Important Key’ {hardware} button. 

To entry the complete vary of options, together with the automated categorisation of comparable content material, you’ll want to join early entry throughout the Important Area app. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nonetheless, I’ve nonetheless discovered that it usually makes errors, misinterpreting some transcribed notes as duties and including screenshots that I don’t need to be there. The AI doesn’t appear superior sufficient to keep away from the app rapidly feeling cluttered, and there’s no option to entry Important Area from one other gadget. 

Nonetheless, the general software program expertise continues to be glorious. That extends to assist, with Nothing committing to a full six years of updates from launch day, that means it’ll be secure to make use of till 2031. That features three years of Android OS updates and 4 years of safety patches. 

Value & Availability

The Nothing Telephone (3a) is accessible to pre-order now within the UK and US, costing £449/$459. It’ll be launched on 25 March. 

Within the UK, you’ll be able to pre-order outright from Nothing and Amazon. Within the US, the telephone is just obtainable to pre-order outright from Nothing at this stage. 

With no networks or operators promoting the telephone on contract, you’ll have to purchase outright and pair it with a SIM deal. See the very best choices within the UK under:

It places the Telephone (3a) Professional in direct competitors with a number of the greatest mid-range telephones you should buy, together with the Samsung Galaxy A56 and OnePlus Nord 4. The upcoming Google Pixel 9a additionally appears set to be a giant rival. 

Additionally, Nothing’s personal Telephone (3a) prices simply £329/$379 but has rather a lot in frequent with the (3a) Professional. For most individuals, that’s a greater worth purchase. 

Do you have to purchase the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional?

Pretty much as good because the Telephone (3a) Professional is, in all probability not. The existence of Nothing’s personal Telephone (3a) makes this dearer telephone a troublesome promote. 

The one elementary variations between the 2 concern the cameras, with the Professional getting a greater telephoto lens, improved selfies and 4K video recording. In trade, you’ll should put up with a hefty digicam bump. 

Should you actually care about pictures at this worth, the Pixel 9a will in all probability be a greater guess. And if you need the very best telephone that Nothing makes, we’re anticipating a extra premium Telephone (3) later this yr. 

That places the Telephone (3a) Professional in an ungainly center floor, the place it’s among the best telephones that I can’t advocate. 

Specs

• NothingOS 3.1 powered by Android 15 
• 6.77-inch, 1080 x 2392, OLED, 120Hz 
• In-display fingerprint sensor 
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 
• 12GB RAM 
• 256GB storage 
• 50Mp primary 
• 8Mp ultrawide 
• 50Mp 3x periscope telephoto 
• 50Mp selfie digicam 
• As much as 4K @ 30fps rear video 
• Stereo audio system 
• Twin-SIM 
• Wi-Fi 6, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 
• Bluetooth 5.4 
• 5000mAh battery 
• 50W wired charging 
• 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm 
• IP64 licensed 
• 211g 
• Colors: Black, Gray