Before rumours about the Nothing Phone (3a) surfaced, I was eagerly anticipating news of Nothing’s next-gen flagship, the Phone 3. However, the company took a different approach, opting to launch two mid-range smartphones first instead — the Phone (3a) and the Phone (3a) Pro. After using the standard model for two weeks, I’m here to share whether this phone is worth buying or belongs in the bin.
Character — a rare trait in the modern smartphone world
I’ve always admired Nothing’s smartphones, mainly for their casual, Gen-Z-inspired marketing and, most notably, their distinct design. Unlike many other phones that blend into the crowd, Nothing devices stand out with their character.
I’m a sucker for illuminating LED lights on smartphones—when done tastefully. This likely stems from my nostalgia for Sony smartphones from a decade ago, particularly the Xperia NXT series and Xperia SP, which also featured LED light bars.
Beyond aesthetics, the Nothing Phone (3a) offers solid value on paper, packing decent specs at a reasonable price. In Malaysia, it retails at RM1,699 for the sole 16GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration.
Creative design vs premium build
The Nothing Phone (3a) boasts premium materials, featuring glass panels on both the front and back, along with an aluminum frame. However, when held alongside a competitor like the Samsung Galaxy A56, the difference in build quality becomes apparent. The Samsung feels more robust, with no flex, while the Nothing Phone (3a) surprisingly doesn’t convey the same solid feel, despite its materials suggesting otherwise. This could be due to variations in material sourcing.
To be clear, the Nothing Phone (3a) doesn’t feel cheap — it just lacks the ultra-premium feel of some rivals. Once you notice the difference, it’s hard to ignore.
Of course, price matters. The Galaxy A56 costs RM300 more, and when its 2x storage upgrade promo ends after March 31, the gap will widen to RM500. That extra cost might justify the premium feel, but the Nothing Phone (3a) compensates with a design that’s truly one-of-a-kind — something money can’t always buy in today’s smartphone market.
Speaker issues: A design quirk?
During testing, I noticed that applying pressure to the phone’s glass panel while playing audio caused the speakers to clip and crackle. Nothing addressed this concern, explaining that the Phone (3a) series includes a pressure equalizing hole to maintain air balance, ensuring dust and water resistance (IP64 certified).
This means that momentary speaker noise might occur due to internal and external pressure differences, but it stabilizes once released. While it’s reassuring that this doesn’t impact long-term functionality, it’s still an odd quirk.
Smooth performance with excellent thermals
Let’s cut to the chase — this isn’t a flagship killer. The Nothing Phone (3a) is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. While not the most powerful setup, the phone handles everyday tasks effortlessly, making me forget its RM1,699 price tag.
I wouldn’t call myself a “power user.” My phone usage revolves around texting, social media, document processing, video streaming, photography, and light gaming (Real Racing 3, for example). Despite this, the Nothing Phone (3a) delivers a seamless experience, proving that ultra-flagships aren’t always necessary.
Thermal management is another highlight. Whether taking photos under the scorching Malaysian sun or running multiple rounds of intensive benchmarks, the device refuses to overheat — unlike my iPhone 15, which often gets uncomfortably warm.
Cameras: Exceeding expectations for its price
Smartphone cameras generally align with price points — the more you pay, the better they get. At RM1,699, the Nothing Phone (3a)’s camera setup is not flagship-grade but offers pleasant surprises.
The triple-camera array includes:
- 50MP f/1.9 main camera (OIS)
- 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
- 50MP f/2.0 telephoto camera
If you’re considering the (3a) Pro, one key upgrade is its 50MP f/2.6 periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS — a solid reason to pay RM300 more if you frequently capture distant subjects.
Photos taken with the Nothing Phone (3a) exhibit vibrant colors and solid dynamic range, even at night. However, images lean towards a more contrast-heavy, Instagram-ready look rather than a natural aesthetic.
Despite being just 8MP, the ultra-wide camera holds up well, even in low-light conditions. For group selfies, skip the ultra-wide rear camera and opt for the 32MP f/2.2 front shooter, which delivers far better quality.
On the video side, stabilization and smoothness are commendable, ensuring pleasant footage, particularly with the main and ultra-wide cameras. My only gripe? The camera UI could be smoother, especially when compared to Samsung or Oppo’s offerings.
Nothing OS: Like “Stock” Android, but cooler
Nothing OS closely resembles stock Android but adds a stylish touch with custom fonts, unique clock faces, and optional monochrome app icons.
One new feature Nothing introduced with the Phone (3a) series is Essential Space. It combines the essence of Google’s Reminder, Pixel screenshots app, and Todoist, all in one app, turbocharged by AI. The phone even comes with a new button right below the power key, designed just for Essential Space.
At first, I assumed this would be just another gimmicky AI tool I’d try once and forget. I never expected to actually like it, let alone replace my Todoist app with it.
So how does Essential Space work? Well, it simplifies capturing and organizing information with just a button press.
- Single Press: Tap the Essential Space button once to take a “screenshot” of whatever is on your screen. You’ll then have the option to add text or record a voice note.
- Press & Hold: Hold the button to instantly capture a “screenshot” and record a voice note at the same time.
These “screenshots” are stored within the app, not in your device’s gallery. To access them, you can either open the Essential Space app from your app drawer or double-press the Essential Space button for quick access. Inside, you’ll find an AI-generated summary of the captured content, along with any text or voice notes you added.
For example, I tested Essential Space while reading an article I wrote about the Asus ROG Phone 9 FE’s launch in Malaysia. The AI provided a concise summary of the launch, including the event’s date and location.
What truly impressed me was how Essential Space automatically created a to-do list entry for the event with the correct date, saving me the trouble of manually adding it to my usual to-do list app. Now, all it takes is a quick button press and a voice prompt to stay organized effortlessly.
Big screen, massive battery life
The Nothing Phone (3a) excels in battery life. With my typical usage (social media, video streaming, texting, and photography), I easily achieved 8.5 hours of screen-on-time (SOT) over 1.5 days—impressive given that WiFi, mobile data, and location were always on. Even with the always-on display enabled, SOT stayed above 6 hours.
Its 6.67” Full HD+ 120Hz AMOLED display (2392×1080 pixels) is vibrant and bright enough for outdoor use. While not as punchy as Samsung’s screens, it remains a great panel overall.
Nothing Phone (3a) vs (3a) Pro: Which one to choose?
With just a RM300 price gap, choosing between the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro boils down to design and camera.
- Design: The Pro model has a slightly better aesthetic, but this is subjective.
- Camera: The Pro’s 50MP periscope telephoto lens (3x optical zoom + OIS) is the real game-changer. If you capture distant subjects often, go Pro; otherwise, save your RM300 for something else.
Final verdict: A great value midranger with unmatched personality
If it’s not obvious yet, I’m quite pleased with the Nothing Phone (3a). It proves that you don’t need to splurge to get a great phone. Beyond its capable performance and solid battery life, it stands out with its unique design and refreshing UI.
For those tired of cookie-cutter smartphones, the Nothing Phone (3a) offers something different, without breaking the bank. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to friends and family looking for a well-rounded, distinctive midrange smartphone.
