Nothing (3a) series—the best mid-range phones?

Recently, the much-anticipated Nothing (3a) and (3a) Pro were dropped. The tech company founded by Carl Pei—cofounder of Oneplus—started production in 2020. They have ever since consistently put out innovative devices, from earphones to mobiles. Each product defies affordability and productivity tags. The most significant standout feature of these devices is the aesthetic design—speared by Teenage Engineering. The designs are unique and unconventional; nothing is like nothing—NOTHING.

Specs 

Nothing (3a) series is a successor to the Nothing 2a phone and has amazing upgrades. With the UK-based tech startup switching to a Qualcomm processor from MediaTek, the phone promises a user performance that beats its price. Below are the specs of the Nothing 3(a) series phones:

Nothing Phone (3a):

• Display:
  • Size: 6.55 inches
  • Type: AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• Memory & Storage:
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Internal Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• Rear Cameras:
  • Main: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture
  • Ultra-wide: 50MP, f/2.2 aperture
• Front Camera:
  • 32MP, f/2.4 aperture
• Battery:
  • Capacity: 4500mAh
  • Charging: 50W wired
• Operating System:
  • Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1
• Additional Features:
  • Essential Space AI feature
  • Translucent glass back panel design
  • IP64 water and dust resistance

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro:

• Display:
  • Size: 6.77 inches
  • Type: AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Resolution: 2392 x 1080 pixels
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• Memory & Storage:
  • RAM: 8GB or 12GB
  • Internal Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• Rear Cameras:
  • Main: 50MP, f/1.9 aperture
  • Periscope Telephoto: 50MP, f/2.6 aperture, 3x optical zoom
  • Ultra-wide: 8MP, f/2.2 aperture
• Front Camera:
  • 50MP, f/2.2 aperture
• Battery:
  • Capacity: 5000mAh
  • Charging: 50W wired
• Operating System:
  • Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1
• Additional Features:
  • Essential Space AI feature
  • Translucent back panel design
  • IP64 water and dust resistance

Expert reviews

So as expected, several tech influencers have reviewed the phones, but primarily I will pinpoint MKBHD and Parker Burton’s reviews from their YouTube channels. Marques, in his review, excitingly stated that ‘The Nothing 3(a) and 3(a) Pro felt like $1000 flagship phones with just a little, but’ he exhaustively praised the uniqueness of the design and lauded the surprisingly Nothing OS. Moreover, he cited that the novel ‘essential space’ AI feature could be improved with accessibility across platforms. 

I chose Parker Burton’s review because of its practical nature. His review was after over 14 days of use, allowing more comprehensive analysis to prospective users. Although he admitted to originally tagging the phone’s design as ugly and controversial, he repented, describing it as cool at first sight. His biggest praises were for the amazing customisation made possible by the OS and the unique glyph interface that enhanced off-device time and synced well for notifications. He also loved the thoughtfulness of the essential space feature, though he suggested a search bar. However, he wasn’t impressed with the Pro’s front camera video performance, the inconsistent nature of the FPS (frames per second), and the lack of wireless charging, which I think is reasonable for the price. 

Why you should try them

If you want a mobile that stands out and doesn’t blow your budget—look no further. If you want a phone that keeps your friends talking while beating their $700-800 phones at gaming speed—you gat it. These phones are truly the best in the world for these prices—I dare say. 

Read for more intriguing phones in 2025

Why you should not 

If you are a sucker for wireless charging and you are all about your noisy phones, maybe they are not for you. The phone offers decent performance overall but might fall short when tasked with specific performance duties like photography, gaming, or some geolocator features. These phones are mid-range, and though they offer some flagship performance, they fall short in most high-end areas. The brand is also experimenting with several features; as such, they are yet to solidify their all-round performance and build their image like other bigger brands. 

In general, I’m a big fan of the phone. I actually love the brand and how, though it started as an underdog, it has proven it deserves a place in people’s hearts and hands. The startup shows an example of a tech company that isn’t all about pushing devices down users’ throats. They think more of the end-user: their budget, quirks, daily activities, and how their devices can make life easier.