Nothing Phone 3a 5G – Nothing unveiled the Phone 3a 5G and Phone 3a Pro 5G in India on March 4, 2025, at MWC 2025 in Barcelona, strengthening its mid-range lineup. Priced starting at ₹22,999, the Nothing Phone 3a 5G features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, and a triple camera setup with a telephoto lens, positioning it as a strong competitor against the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G, CMF Phone 2 Pro 5G, and Honor X9c 5G. Here’s a detailed look at its specifications, features, and why it’s a standout in India’s 2025 mid-range smartphone market.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.77″ FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 3,000 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Camera | Rear: 50MP + 50MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide, Front: 32MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 50W fast charging |
| Storage | Up to 8GB RAM + 256GB (no microSD) |
| Design | Transparent back with Glyph Interface, IP64 |
| OS & Support | Android 15 (Nothing OS 3.1), 3 OS + 6 yrs security |
| Price | ₹21,999 (Launch offer; MRP ₹22,999) |
Display
The Nothing Phone 3a 5G features a 6.77-inch Full HD+ flexible AMOLED display with a 2392×1080 resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 3,000 nits peak brightness (1,300 nits outdoor, 800 nits typical). With a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000Hz touch sampling rate, and 2,160Hz PWM dimming, it delivers smooth scrolling and eye comfort, ideal for gaming and streaming. Protected by Panda Glass with an IP64 dust and water resistance rating, it offers durability but isn’t fully waterproof, unlike the Honor X9c 5G’s IP65M. The display rivals the CMF Phone 2 Pro 5G’s AMOLED but falls short of the realme GT 7’s 6,000 nits brightness.
Also Read: Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G : Dimensity 8350 Ultimate & 144Hz AMOLED at ₹22,999
Processor
Powered by the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset (octa-core, up to 2.5GHz) with an Adreno 710 GPU, the Phone 3a 5G achieves an AnTuTu score of around 800,000, offering 92% better AI processing than the Phone 2a. Available in 8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB variants with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, it lacks microSD expansion, unlike the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G. The chipset ensures smooth 60fps gaming and efficient multitasking, though it trails the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate in the Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G for high-end gaming.
Camera
The Phone 3a 5G introduces Nothing’s first triple camera setup: a 50MP primary sensor (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), a 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom), and an 8MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2, 112° FOV), supporting 4K video at 30fps. The 32MP front camera delivers sharp selfies. AI features like TrueLens Engine 3, AI Erase, and Essential Space enhance photography, though low-light ultra-wide shots are average compared to the Honor X9c 5G’s 108MP sensor. The telephoto lens outperforms the dual-camera setup of the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G, making it ideal for portrait photography.
Battery
The Phone 3a 5G houses a 5,000mAh battery, reaching 50% charge in 19 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes with 50W wired fast charging, a step up from the Phone 2a’s 45W. It also supports 7.5W reverse wired charging. Offering up to 24 hours of mixed usage, it competes with the CMF Phone 2 Pro 5G’s 5,000mAh battery but trails the Honor X9c 5G’s 6,600mAh capacity. The included charger adds value, unlike the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, which requires a separate purchase.
Also Read: Honor X9c 5G : 6,600mAh Battery & Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 at ₹19,999
Design and Durability
Weighing 201g and measuring 163.52×77.50×8.4mm, the Phone 3a 5G features a transparent glass back with an upgraded Glyph Interface featuring 26 LED zones for notifications, music visualization, and Google Calendar integration. Available in Black, White, and Blue, it includes the Essential Key, a new hardware button to access the AI-powered Essential Space hub for screenshots and voice notes. Its IP64 rating offers splash resistance, less robust than the Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G’s IP64 but on par with the CMF Phone 2 Pro 5G.
Nothing OS 3.1 on Android 15
Running Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15, the Phone 3a 5G offers a clean, bloatware-free experience with AI features like Essential Space, TrueLens Engine 3, and context-aware UI suggestions. Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, outpacing the Honor X9c 5G’s two-year OS support but matching the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G. Connectivity includes 5G (multiple bands), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and dual SIM (with eSIM support in select regions).
Pricing and Availability
The Nothing Phone 3a 5G is priced at ₹22,999 (8GB/128GB) and ₹24,999 (8GB/256GB), with a launch offer reducing the base price to ₹21,999 via ₹3,000 exchange discounts through HDFC Bank, IDFC Bank, and OneCard. Sales began on March 11, 2025, via Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Vijay Sales, Croma, and retail stores. It’s competitively priced against the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G (₹9,999) and CMF Phone 2 Pro 5G (₹17,999), offering a premium design and camera system.
Why the Nothing Phone 3a 5G Stands Out
The Nothing Phone 3a 5G excels with its vibrant AMOLED display, unique transparent design with Glyph Interface, and AI-enhanced triple camera, making it ideal for style-conscious users and casual gamers. Its clean Nothing OS 3.1 and six-year security update commitment add value, though the lack of microSD expansion and average low-light ultra-wide shots are drawbacks compared to the Honor X9c 5G’s battery and durability. For those seeking a distinctive mid-range smartphone under ₹25,000, the Phone 3a 5G is a top choice in India’s 2025 market.
