The Nothing Phone (3a) has generated significant excitement in India’s mid-range smartphone market with its distinctive design and promising features. Priced between ₹23,300 and ₹24,999, it competes with brands like Motorola, iQOO, and OnePlus in the ₹20,000-₹25,000 segment. After using the Nothing Phone (3a) for 30 days, I’ve explored every aspect—design, display, performance, battery, camera, software, and more—to help you decide if it’s worth your money. This detailed review covers the pros and cons, answering key questions like “Should you buy it?” and “Is it worth it?” in a simple, clear way for Indian users, especially students and young professionals.
Design: Unique but Not Without Flaws

The Nothing Phone (3a) grabs attention with its transparent back and Glyph Interface, a set of LED lights that flash for notifications, calls, or timers. Its bold design sparked curiosity, with strangers asking, “Which phone is this?” or “Is it a new brand?” It’s perfect for those who want a device that reflects their individuality.

However, the design has some compromises. The phone uses Panda Glass for protection, a step down from the Gorilla Glass 5 used in the Nothing Phone (2a). After 30 days, I noticed minor scratches on the screen, especially when kept in a pocket with keys or coins. The glass back adds a premium feel but increases the weight to around 205-210 grams. The plastic side frame feels slightly bulky, and at 6.77 inches, it’s not very pocket-friendly. If you’re riding a bike or wearing tight jeans, it might feel uncomfortable or poke out.
The Nothing Phone (3a) has an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, which protects against splashes but isn’t as robust as the IP68 or IP69 ratings offered by competitors like the Moto G Power (2025). For durability, I recommend using a screen guard and case to prevent scratches and damage. The phone also includes an “Essential Key,” a customizable button discussed later.
Display: Large and Vibrant with Some Limitations

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3000 nits (1300 nits in high brightness mode). It’s a spacious, colorful screen ideal for watching videos, gaming, or scrolling through social media. I tested it under direct sunlight at noon alongside flagship phones like Samsung and Apple devices. While it didn’t match their brightness, it remained readable with clear icons and text, thanks to its auto-brightness and ambient light sensor.

However, the phone lacks HDR support on Netflix, which is a letdown for a device with such high peak brightness. HDR enhances contrast and color in videos, and its absence on Netflix feels like a missed opportunity. YouTube supports HDR, but I noticed stuttering in the app’s UI when playing HDR content, which hampers the experience. The viewing angles are excellent, and the uniform bezels give it a premium look. The screen also responds smoothly to touch, offering a fluid experience.

For nighttime use, the display can feel too bright even at the lowest setting. The “Extra Dim” feature in the settings allows you to reduce brightness further, which is great for late-night scrolling. Overall, the display is a highlight but is held back by the lack of Netflix HDR and YouTube HDR issues.
Performance: Smooth for Daily Use but Outpaced by Rivals

The Nothing Phone (3a) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, paired with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. For everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking, the phone feels smooth and responsive, thanks to the optimized Nothing OS. The AnTuTu score is around 8-10 lakhs, which is decent but falls short of competitors like iQOO or OnePlus phones in the same price range, which offer more powerful chipsets.
RAM management is a weak point. After using 5-6 apps for 15-20 minutes, background apps like the gallery close and need to be reopened, which is inconvenient. The use of UFS 2.2 storage is another drawback. Most phones above ₹20,000 now offer UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0, which provide faster app loading and data transfer. UFS 2.2 may not feel slow initially, but it could lead to stuttering after 1-1.5 years, especially for heavy users. The system occupies about 15GB of storage, leaving around 110-113GB usable on the 128GB variant, so I suggest opting for the 256GB model.

Gaming performance is reliable for casual users. Games like BGMI run smoothly at 90FPS, and Genshin Impact achieves 53-54FPS without overheating. The haptics are decent but limited to the keyboard and back panel, missing a more immersive experience. Compared to rivals, the Nothing Phone (3a)’s performance is average, hindered by UFS 2.2 and RAM management issues.
Battery Life: Adequate with Fast Charging

The Nothing Phone (3a) comes with a 5000mAh battery, standard for this price range. In my 30-day usage, which included watching YouTube, listening to podcasts, light gaming, and browsing, I got around 6.5 hours of screen-on time. Some users reported up to 8 hours, but my experience was consistently lower, likely due to varied usage patterns. For casual users, this should last a full day, but heavy users may need to charge by evening.
Charging is a mixed experience. The phone supports 50W fast charging and reaches 100% in about 52-53 minutes with a compatible charger. However, no charger is included in the box, which is disappointing at this price. You’ll need to spend around ₹2000 for a good PD charger. Compared to rivals like the Realme P3 Pro, which charges a 6000mAh battery in 66 minutes, the Nothing Phone (3a)’s charging speed feels slightly slower.
Camera: Noticeable Improvements but Not Top-Tier







The Nothing Phone (3a) sports a triple-camera setup: a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 50MP 2x telephoto lens. Compared to the Nothing Phone (2a), the camera has improved significantly, particularly in reducing lens flare and enhancing HDR. The primary sensor captures sharp, vibrant photos with good color balance, even in tricky lighting. The 2x telephoto lens excels in portraits, delivering accurate edge detection, natural skin tones, and detailed shots. You can also create custom presets for colors and filters, adding a personalized touch.
However, the 8MP ultrawide sensor underperforms, producing soft images with noticeable color shifts, especially in low light. Low-light performance on the primary sensor is decent, with minimal noise and good colors, but it’s not outstanding. The 32MP selfie camera takes natural-looking photos without artificial smoothing, and zoom is usable up to 10x. Video recording is limited to 4K 30fps on the primary sensor and 1080p on the selfie and telephoto lenses, which feels restrictive when competitors like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion offer 4K across all sensors.
In this price range, the camera is slightly above average but doesn’t match the best performers like Motorola or iQOO phones. Still, Nothing’s TrueLens Engine 3.0 and customization options make it a solid choice for casual photographers.
Software: Nothing OS Steals the Show

Nothing OS 3.1, based on Android 15, is a standout feature of the Nothing Phone (3a). It’s clean, customizable, and fun to use, rivaling top UIs like Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’s Oxygen OS. The Dot Engine aesthetic, with its dot matrix font and 18 unique widgets, gives the phone a fresh, geeky vibe. You can extensively customize the home screen, lock screen, and quick settings panel, resizing tiles or adding widgets like pedometer, calendar, or photo frames.
The Smart Drawer organizes apps intelligently, and features like the call recording widget (without announcement) and lock screen shortcuts for DND or hotspot are practical. The Glyph Interface, while fun initially, feels like a novelty that fades over time. The Essential Key, which takes screenshots or records voice notes, has potential but feels underutilized and sometimes confusing due to overlapping functions with the power button.
Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, which is solid but not class-leading. Regular updates fix most bugs, ensuring a smooth experience. For tech enthusiasts who love tinkering, Nothing OS is a delight.
Connectivity and Multimedia: Reliable but Average

The Nothing Phone (3a) supports 16 5G bands, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, ensuring dependable connectivity. However, I noticed the phone switching from 5G to 4G unexpectedly, which might be resolved with an update. Call quality is clear, and Bluetooth connections with earbuds and speakers were seamless.

The stereo speakers are loud but average in quality, lacking the depth of premium phones. The display enhances the multimedia experience, but the lack of Netflix HDR is a drawback. Overall, it’s a decent package for casual media consumption.
Specifications Table
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 3000 nits peak brightness, Panda Glass |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
RAM | 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X |
Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 |
Rear Cameras | 50MP (main, OIS) + 8MP (ultrawide) + 50MP (2x telephoto) |
Front Camera | 32MP |
Battery | 5000mAh, 50W fast charging (no charger included) |
Operating System | Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15 |
Connectivity | 5G (16 bands), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC |
Build | Glass back, plastic frame, IP64 dust and water resistance |
Weight | ~205-210 grams |
Additional Features | Glyph Interface, Essential Key, in-display fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers |
Should You Buy the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Nothing Phone (3a) is a strong contender for students, Gen Z users, and tech enthusiasts who prioritize design and software. Its transparent look, vibrant Nothing OS, and decent camera make it stand out in the ₹20,000-₹25,000 segment. However, it’s not without flaws. The UFS 2.2 storage, lack of an in-box charger, average battery life, and IP64 rating are notable compromises. Competitors like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion or iQOO phones offer better performance, cameras, or durability at similar prices.
Who Should Buy It?
- Young users who want a stylish, unique phone.
- Tech enthusiasts who enjoy customizing their device with Nothing OS.
- Casual users who value design and software over raw performance.
Who Should Skip It?
- Gamers or power users needing top-tier performance.
- Photography enthusiasts seeking the best cameras.
- Users who want IP68 water resistance or a charger in the box.
Is It Worth It?
At ₹23,300-₹24,999, the Nothing Phone (3a) offers good value for its design, display, and software. However, the UFS 2.2 storage and lack of an in-box charger make it less competitive in 2025, when rivals are raising the bar. If you’re drawn to its unique aesthetic and don’t mind the trade-offs, it’s a worthwhile purchase. Otherwise, consider alternatives like the Moto G Power (2025) or Google Pixel 9a.
Final Thoughts

The Nothing Phone (3a) brings a fresh perspective to the mid-range smartphone market with its striking design, customizable Glyph Interface, and Nothing OS. It’s a joy for those who love experimenting with their devices. However, outdated UFS 2.2 storage, average battery life, and the absence of a charger in the box prevent it from being the top choice in its segment. If you’re a student or young professional looking for a phone that stands out and offers a unique software experience, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a great option. But if performance, camera, or durability are your priorities, you might find better alternatives in this price range.