This is the Nothing 3a Pro, a phone that has been available for over two months now. Believe it or not, I’ve been using it as my daily driver for more than a month. In that time, several meaningful updates have significantly improved the experience. I’ve also had the chance to figure out what I love about the phone and the quirks that have been downright frustrating. There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s dive in.
Design
Starting with the design, the Nothing 3a Pro sparked some polarizing reactions when its look was first leaked. But after using it for a month, I’ve grown to really appreciate it. This phone oozes character, and in a world where smartphone designs are becoming increasingly generic, the 3a Pro stands out unmistakably.
That said, it’s not perfect. The back is a bit of a fingerprint magnet, and it wobbles when placed flat on a table without a case. The bezels on the front are slightly thicker and uneven compared to last year’s Nothing Phone 2A, making it feel a tad less premium. It’s also a bit larger than previous Nothing phones, which is a minor annoyance I wish they’d consider making a smaller variant. Still, despite these small flaws, the design remains one of my favorite aspects of this phone.
Display
Moving on to the display, there’s not much to report here. It’s slightly brighter than the 2A and retains the smooth 120Hz refresh rate. However, it doesn’t quite match the brightness levels of flagship devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or Pixel 9 Pro when used outdoors in direct sunlight.
That said, it’s still a solid display, consistent with Nothing’s previous offerings. A nice bonus is the pre-applied screen protector cheap, perhaps, but appreciated nonetheless.
Battery Life
Battery life is a major strong point. Throughout my month of use, I never once worried about the phone dying before the end of the day. Even with heavy usage, I’d often go to bed with around 20% left after taking it off the charger at 7 a.m.
The real disappointment, though, is the lack of wireless charging. I get why the CMF lineup and even the standard 3a wouldn’t have it, but for a “Pro” device priced similarly to the Pixel 9a (which does have wireless charging), this feels like a missed opportunity to dominate the mid-range segment.
Haptics and Fingerprint Sensor
The haptics haven’t changed from previous Nothing phones they’re decent but still have a slightly metallic, buzzy feel. I suspect this isn’t due to a cheap motor but rather how it’s housed inside the phone, lacking the dampening found in flagships.
The fingerprint sensor is also unchanged reliable but not exceptional. I’d love to see Nothing switch to an ultrasonic sensor in the future and reposition it to the lower third of the display instead of the very bottom.
Software
Software is where Nothing truly shines. The clean, minimal Android experience is finely tuned, often making the phone feel more premium than its price suggests. Nothing OS includes thoughtful tweaks, like the unique quick settings panel, first-party widgets for the lock screen and always-on display, and those slick wake-up animations.
Customization options are excellent, too support for third-party icon packs, hiding apps from the drawer, and pinning favorites to the top are all fantastic features. Since the initial launch of Nothing OS 3.0, updates like 3.1 have added even more refinements, such as reverting to the dot matrix font and a handy “clear all apps” gesture.
Essential Space
One new software feature tied to the 3a series is Essential Space, an app that can be activated via a dedicated button below the power key. In theory, it’s a neat organizational tool for notes and reminders. In practice? I’ve accidentally pressed that button dozens of times.
If you’re fully invested in Nothing’s ecosystem and love AI-assisted note-taking, Essential Space might be useful. But for someone who switches devices often and isn’t big on AI features, it’s just an annoyance. Nothing really needs to let users remap this button in a future update.
On the plus side, early software bugs (like random call drops and lock screen dimming) have been fixed with recent updates.
Performance
Now, onto the less impressive aspects. Performance is… fine. Day-to-day use is smooth, but it doesn’t feel as snappy as flagship-tier devices like the Pixel 9a or iPhone 16. The difference is subtle but noticeable, especially in more demanding tasks.
Cameras
The cameras are a mixed bag. On paper, the hardware is great I’ve been begging Nothing for a telephoto lens, and the 3a Pro delivers with a 3x periscope. In the right conditions, it can take stunning shots that rival much pricier phones.
But for every great photo, there are several misses due to shutter lag, motion blur, or inconsistent processing. This is especially frustrating when trying to capture fast-moving subjects (like pets or kids). The camera app itself is also sluggish after taking 5-10 shots, it locks up for several seconds before allowing more.
A recent update added 4K/30 recording on the telephoto lens (though no 4K on the ultrawide, and no lens switching mid-recording). It’s a step forward, but the overall camera experience still lags behind competitors.
Final Thoughts
Despite its flaws, the Nothing 3a Pro is still a fantastic phone at its price. If you don’t care about wireless charging and aren’t constantly snapping high-stakes photos, it’s hard to beat.
I’ve since switched to the Pixel 9a (review coming soon), so let me know if you’d like a comparison between the 3a Pro, Pixel 9a, and iPhone 16 it could be an interesting showdown.
