Nothing’s first “Pro” mid-range phone brings a 50MP periscope camera and premium build for ₹27,330, but can it justify its price over the regular 3a?

By Muzamil Ahad – Founder of DoorDasherHelpCentral.com

Key Specs (at a glance)

What’s new vs Nothing Phone 2a?

• 50MP Periscope Telephoto Camera — The headline addition brings 2x optical zoom and portrait photography capabilities that the regular 3a lacks, making it genuinely “Pro.”

• Upgraded Front Camera — Jumps from 32MP to 50MP for better selfie quality and video calling performance.

• Enhanced Build Materials — Premium aluminum frame and Panda Glass protection offer better durability compared to the plastic-heavy Phone 2a construction.

• Same Core Performance — Still uses Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and 5000mAh battery, so daily performance remains similar to the regular 3a model.

Rivals to consider

Real-World Performance & First Impressions

Display & Design

The 6.77-inch AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz scrolling that feels premium for the price segment. According to Tom’s Guide, the display sets a benchmark among budget phones, with excellent outdoor visibility and responsive touch performance. The signature Glyph Interface LED strips on the back remain Nothing’s key differentiator, offering customizable notification patterns and camera flash functions.

The aluminum frame feels solid in hand, though the 6.77-inch size makes one-handed use challenging for smaller hands. At around 190g, it’s reasonably balanced despite the large screen. The transparent back design continues to turn heads, even if the actual internals visible aren’t as elaborate as flagship models.

Performance & Thermals

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset handles everyday tasks smoothly, from social media scrolling to video streaming. However, TechRadar notes the processor “could sputter at times” during demanding gaming sessions. For casual mobile gaming, it’s adequate, but heavy gamers might notice frame drops in graphics-intensive titles.

Thermal management remains reasonable during moderate use, though extended gaming sessions can cause noticeable warming around the camera module. The 4nm fabrication helps with efficiency, contributing to the solid battery life performance.

Camera Quality (Photos & Video)

The camera system marks the biggest upgrade over standard mid-range phones. The 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization captures sharp daylight photos with good detail retention. Engadget praised the 3a Pro for offering “a tremendous camera for the price”, particularly highlighting the periscope telephoto performance.

Low-light photography shows improvement over previous Nothing phones, though it still trails dedicated camera phones like the Pixel 7a. The 2x optical zoom from the periscope lens proves genuinely useful for portraits and distant subjects, while the ultrawide camera handles group shots adequately despite some edge distortion.

The upgraded 50MP front camera delivers noticeably sharper selfies and better video calling quality compared to the 32MP sensor in the regular 3a.

Battery Life & Charging

The 5000mAh battery consistently delivers full-day performance with moderate to heavy usage. In testing by How-To Geek, the phone lost only 8% charge during an hour of HDR video streaming, indicating excellent power optimization.

91Mobiles found the phone takes 51 minutes to charge from 20% to 100% with the 50W fast charging, which is adequate but not class-leading. The lack of an included charger means additional cost for new users.

Software & Updates

Nothing OS 3.0 based on Android 15 feels clean and responsive, avoiding the bloatware trap of many competitors. The company promises 6 years of security updates but only 3 major Android updates, carrying support through Android 18. While decent for the price segment, it falls short of Samsung’s longer OS update commitment.

The Glyph Interface integration works well with popular apps, though third-party support remains limited. The overall software experience prioritizes simplicity over feature density.

Price & Availability

• Starting price: ₹27,330 for the 8GB+128GB variant • Higher variant: ₹29,330 for 12GB+256GB configuration
• Availability: Currently available via Flipkart, Amazon, and Nothing’s official website across India

Should You Upgrade?

From Nothing Phone 2a: The camera improvements and premium build justify the upgrade if photography is important to you. The periscope telephoto and better selfie camera represent genuine enhancements, though the core performance remains similar.

From a 2-year-old phone: Coming from older mid-range devices, this offers substantial improvements in display quality, camera versatility, and software experience. The unique design and solid battery life make it a worthwhile upgrade from phones like the Realme 9 Pro or Samsung Galaxy M52.

For budget-conscious buyers: At ₹27,330, it sits in a competitive space. Consider whether the camera upgrades over the regular Phone 3a (₹22,900) justify the ₹4,430 premium. If telephoto photography isn’t essential, the standard 3a offers better value.

FAQs

Does Nothing Phone 3a Pro include a charger in the box?

No, it only includes a USB-C to USB-C cable. You’ll need to purchase a compatible 50W charger separately.

Is there an IP rating for water resistance?

Nothing hasn’t disclosed an official IP rating, so using a protective case around water is recommended.

Does it support eSIM or microSD expansion?

It supports dual nano-SIM but no eSIM. There’s no microSD slot for storage expansion, so choose your storage variant carefully.

What 5G bands are supported for India?

It supports key Indian 5G bands including n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, n77, and n78 for comprehensive 5G coverage across major networks.

Pros

• Distinctive transparent design with functional Glyph Interface LED system • Versatile camera system including 50MP periscope telephoto with 2x optical zoom
• Excellent battery optimization delivering consistent full-day performance • Clean Android experience with minimal bloatware and timely security updates

Cons

• Mid-range processor limitations affecting gaming performance and future-proofing • No IP rating or charger included adding to ownership costs • Limited telephoto zoom range compared to dedicated camera phones • Large size makes one-handed usage difficult

Verdict

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro succeeds as a camera-focused mid-range phone that stands out in an increasingly crowded market. While the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset prevents it from being a performance powerhouse, the distinctive design, solid camera system, and excellent battery life create a compelling package for users who value uniqueness over raw specs.

The ₹4,430 premium over the regular 3a is justified if you frequently use telephoto photography or prioritize selfie quality. However, performance-focused users or those seeking the absolute best value should consider alternatives like the regular Nothing Phone 3a or wait for potential price drops.

For users upgrading from older phones or seeking a distinctive Android experience with reliable fundamentals, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro represents solid value in India’s competitive mid-range segment.