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A Fresh Take on Stale Midrange Designs
In a smartphone world filled with uninspired glass slabs, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a breath of fresh air. It challenges the design monotony of the midrange market with its signature transparent aesthetic, hardware-level uniqueness, and a periscope telephoto camera thatâs typically reserved for flagship-tier phones. At âč31,999, this phone dares to blend flair and functionality in a category that’s long suffered from mediocrity.
Nothing’s approach has always been about more than specsâitâs about personality. And this phone has it in spades. From the returning Glyph interface to the all-new âEssential Keyâ designed for AI-powered personal memory, the (3a) Pro aims to bring innovation to the masses without a flagship price tag. But with all this flash, is there real firepower underneath? After a month of testing, it turns out that Nothing may have built one of the most interesting midrange devices of the year.
the Original
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro makes a compelling case in a saturated midrange segment by blending distinct design with capable hardware. At âč31,999, it features the brandâs familiar transparent design, a flat plastic frame, and a new Essential Key that launches Nothingâs AI-powered “Essential Space” feature. The Glyph interface returns, and the phone has IP64 water resistance and a glass back protected by Panda Glass.
It sports a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peaks at 3,000 nits in HDR mode. Internally, it runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Everyday performance is smooth, with minor stutters under heavy multitasking. Gaming performance is decent, but not ideal for AAA titles.
Battery life is solid with a 5,000mAh cell and 45W fast charging, though youâll need a compatible charger to hit those speeds. Software-wise, Nothing OS 3.1 remains clean and fast, enhanced by the new AI featureâEssential Spaceâwhich allows users to log memories with voice, images, and auto-categorization.
The real standout is the camera. A triple-lens setup includes a rare 50MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, 6x digital zoom, macro capability, and 4K video. The main camera is strong in both daylight and low light, while the 8MP ultra-wide is weaker, especially at night. There are also customizable camera presets and support for LUT imports. The selfie cam is a 50MP sensor that performs well.
Overall, the Phone 3(a) Pro emerges as a top-tier choice for midrange buyersâespecially those who care about photography. It refines Nothingâs vision while delivering meaningful upgrades over its predecessors.
What Undercode Say:
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro isn’t just another midrange attempt; it’s a declaration of how aesthetics and user experience can coexist with performanceâwithout breaking the bank.
Nothing is strategically doubling down on identity. With most Android midrangers racing toward performance parity, very few stand out in design, UX, or camera innovation. This phone does all three. The transparent back, periscope zoom, and Glyph lighting are not just gimmicks; they genuinely elevate the tactile and visual experience, especially for users burnt out by safe, repetitive devices from the likes of Xiaomi, Realme, and even Samsung.
Technically, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 wonât win benchmarks, but it holds its own in real-world tasks. Casual users wonât notice lags, and moderate gamers will find stability and thermal efficiency far more important than raw frame rates. The thermal efficiency is a win hereâavoiding overheating while running heavier apps was a common issue in prior models from the brand.
From an AI integration perspective, Nothingâs “Essential Space” stands out for not being a copy-paste of mainstream AI features. Rather than editing images or drafting emails, it helps the user remember. It functions like a cognitive assistant, and the physical âEssential Keyâ reinforces that intent. While not yet essential for all users, it hints at a future where contextual AI becomes a core smartphone experience rather than an afterthought.
Camera-wise, the decision to include a true telephoto in a sub-âč32,000 phone is boldâand it pays off. This isnât a toy lens; itâs delivering real optical performance that rivals some older flagships. Combined with real-time camera presets, Nothing empowers amateur creators and Instagram warriors alike to shoot distinct, stylized content straight from the phone.
Whatâs the compromise? Plastic sides, a mid-tier chip, and an ultrawide that underperforms at night. But these are thoughtful trade-offsânot oversights. In fact, the pricing makes these decisions seem strategic, ensuring the Pro model doesnât cannibalize their base model completely.
Lastly, software longevity matters. With 3 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches, Nothing is making a strong case to users who are tired of planned obsolescence.
Verdict: The Phone 3(a) Pro is not just a âquirkyâ alternativeâitâs one of the most holistic, user-forward, and design-conscious devices available under âč35,000 today. It might just redefine what we should expect from midrange phones in 2025.
đ Fact Checker Results:
â Periscope Telephoto on Midrange: Verified. This is currently one of the few sub-âč32K phones offering optical zoom.
â 3 Years Android + 6 Years Security: Confirmed by Nothingâs official policy.
â Panda Glass as Premium: Misleading. While scratch-resistant, Panda Glass is a budget alternative to Gorilla Glass, offering less shatter protection.
đ Prediction:
By Q4 2025, we expect Nothing to push AI further into core UX through deeper OS-level integration, possibly creating cross-device synchronization with tablets, earbuds, or laptops. The success of the Phone 3(a) Pro could encourage competing brands like OnePlus or Motorola to reintroduce design-centric phones in the âč25,000ââč35,000 range. Additionally, periscope lenses may no longer remain exclusive to flagships as consumer demand for camera diversity continues to rise in the midrange segment.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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