Nothing Phone 3 Series: Redefining Mid-Range and Flagship Smartphones in 2025

In 2025, Nothing, the London-based tech brand led by Carl Pei, solidified its presence in the smartphone market with the Nothing Phone 3 series, comprising the Nothing Phone 3, Phone 3a, and Phone 3a Pro. Launched on July 1, 2025 (Phone 3) and March 4, 2025 (Phone 3a series), these devices cater to diverse user needs, from flagship enthusiasts to budget-conscious buyers in cities like Bhilwara, India. The Phone 3 positions itself as Nothing’s first “true flagship,” while the 3a and 3a Pro dominate the mid-range segment. This blog explores the series’ specifications, features, pricing, and impact, drawing on insights from Gadgets360, India Today, and X posts.

Design and Build: Iconic Yet Evolved

Nothing Phone 3

• Dimensions and Weight: 160.6 x 75.59 x 8.99mm, 218g.

• Materials: Gorilla Glass 7i (front), Gorilla Glass Victus (back), aluminum frame.

• Durability: IP68 rating for dust and water resistance up to 1.5m for 30 minutes.

• Design: Features a transparent back with a revamped Glyph Matrix (489 LEDs, replacing the traditional Glyph Interface), offering customizable notifications, mini-games, and animations. The off-center periscope camera module adds a bold aesthetic, as noted by @MarioNawfal.

• Colors: Black, White (India-specific).

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro

• Dimensions and Weight: Phone 3a: 163.52 x 77.50 x 8.35mm, 201g; Phone 3a Pro: 163.52 x 77.50 x 8.39mm, 211g.

• Materials: Glass back, plastic frame, Panda Glass protection.

• Durability: IP64 rating, offering dust and splash resistance but less robust than the Phone 3.

• Design: Retains the iconic transparent back with 26 LED zones in the Glyph Interface, supporting notifications, Google Calendar integration, and music visualization. The 3a Pro’s horizontal triple-camera module distinguishes it, per India Today.

• Colors: Phone 3a: Black, White, Blue; Phone 3a Pro: Grey, Black.

Comparison: The Phone 3’s premium materials and IP68 rating make it a flagship contender, ideal for Bhilwara’s style-conscious users. The 3a series’ plastic frame and IP64 rating prioritize affordability, appealing to budget buyers.

Display: Vibrant and Smooth

Nothing Phone 3

• Size and Type: 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED (1260 x 2800), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 460ppi.

• Features: 4500 nits peak brightness, 2160Hz PWM dimming, HDR10+, 92.89% screen-to-body ratio.

• Performance: Offers ultra-smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals for gaming and streaming, with Gorilla Glass 7i ensuring durability. Ideal for Bhilwara’s content creators, per Gadgets360.

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro

• Size and Type: 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED (1080 x 2392), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ~393ppi.

• Features: 3000 nits peak brightness, 2160Hz PWM dimming, HDR10+, Panda Glass protection.

• Performance: Slightly less sharp than the Phone 3 but delivers smooth performance for casual gaming and media, suitable for Bhilwara’s students.

Comparison: The Phone 3’s 1.5K display and higher brightness outperform the 3a series’ FHD+ panels, making it better for immersive experiences. The 3a series suffices for budget users.

Performance: Flagship vs Mid-Range Power

Nothing Phone 3

• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm, 1x Cortex-X4 @ 3.4GHz, 4x Cortex-A720 @ 2.8GHz, 3x Cortex-A520 @ 2.0GHz, Adreno 735 GPU).

• RAM/Storage: 12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB (LPDDR5X, UFS 4.0).

• Performance: Geekbench scores (~2100 single-core, ~6500 multi-core) and a 2.3 million AnTuTu score ensure flagship-grade multitasking and gaming (e.g., Genshin Impact at 60fps). The 7200mm² cooling system prevents throttling, per @gadget_bits.

• Software: Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15), with 5 years of Android updates and 7 years of security patches.

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro

• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm, 1x Cortex-A715 @ 2.63GHz, 3x Cortex-A715 @ 2.4GHz, 4x Cortex-A510 @ 1.8GHz, Adreno 710 GPU).

• RAM/Storage: Phone 3a: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB; Phone 3a Pro: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB (LPDDR5X, UFS 2.2).

• Performance: Handles casual gaming (e.g., BGMI at 60fps) and multitasking well but lags behind the Phone 3 in intensive tasks, per @geekyranjit.

• Software: Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15), with 3 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches.

Comparison: The Phone 3’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and UFS 4.0 make it a powerhouse for Bhilwara’s gamers, while the 3a series’ Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 suits everyday users.

Camera: Advanced vs Competent

Nothing Phone 3

• Rear Camera: Triple setup – 50MP main (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), 50MP periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom, OIS), 50MP ultrawide.

• Front Camera: 50MP (f/2.2).

• Features: 4K video at 60fps, TrueLens Engine 3 (AI-enhanced), slow-motion at 120fps. Excels in low-light and zoom, per @nothing.

• Performance: The periscope lens, a first for Nothing, delivers sharp zoomed shots, ideal for Bhilwara’s photography enthusiasts.

Nothing Phone 3a

• Rear Camera: Triple setup – 50MP main (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), 50MP telephoto (2x optical zoom), 8MP ultrawide.

• Front Camera: 32MP (f/2.4).

• Features: 4K video at 30fps, AI enhancements. Decent for social media but softer in low light, per India Today.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro

• Rear Camera: Triple setup – 50MP main (f/1.8, OIS, EIS), 50MP periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom), 8MP ultrawide.

• Front Camera: 50MP (f/2.2).

• Features: 4K video at 30fps, AI enhancements. Matches the Phone 3’s telephoto capabilities but with a weaker ultrawide.

Comparison: The Phone 3’s all-50MP setup and periscope lens outperform the 3a series, especially in zoom and low-light. The 3a Pro’s 3x zoom edges out the 3a’s 2x, but both trail the flagship.

Battery and Charging: Endurance vs Value

Nothing Phone 3

• Battery: 5150mAh, 65W fast charging, 15W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless.

• Performance: ~12 hours of screen-on time, full charge in ~45 minutes. Wireless charging is a flagship perk, per @gadget_bits.

Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro

• Battery: 5000mAh, 50W fast charging, 7.5W reverse wired charging.

• Performance: ~13 hours of screen-on time, full charge in ~56 minutes. No wireless charging, per Moneycontrol.

Comparison: The Phone 3’s wireless charging and faster 65W charging suit premium users, while the 3a series’ slightly longer battery life appeals to Bhilwara’s budget users.

Connectivity and Sensors

Nothing Phone 3: 5G SA/NSA, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, eSIM, dual Nano-SIM, IP68, in-display fingerprint, dual stereo speakers.
Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro: 5G SA/NSA, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, dual Nano-SIM, IP64, in-display fingerprint, Phone 3a Pro has dual stereo speakers, Phone 3a has a single speaker.
Comparison: The Phone 3’s Wi-Fi 7, eSIM, and superior speakers enhance its flagship status. The 3a series is sufficient for Bhilwara’s 5G networks (e.g., Vi’s ₹299 plan).

Pricing and Availability

• Nothing Phone 3: ₹79,999 (12GB/256GB), ₹84,999 (16GB/512GB), available on Flipkart from July 4, 2025.

• Nothing Phone 3a: ₹23,591 (8GB/128GB), ₹24,999 (8GB/256GB), available on Amazon from March 11, 2025.

• Nothing Phone 3a Pro: ₹28,499 (8GB/128GB), ₹29,999 (8GB/256GB), ₹31,999 (12GB/256GB), available on Amazon from March 11, 2025.Launch offers include ₹2000–3000 discounts via HDFC/SBI cards and no-cost EMI options at Vijay Sales.

Pros and Cons

Nothing Phone 3

• Pros: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 1.5K display, IP68, wireless charging, advanced cameras.

• Cons: High price (₹79,999), no charger included.

Nothing Phone 3a

• Pros: Affordable (₹23,591), clean Nothing OS, decent cameras.

• Cons: IP64, single speaker, weaker ultrawide.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro

• Pros: 3x telephoto, dual speakers, value at ₹28,499.

• Cons: IP64, no wireless charging, UFS 2.2.

Conclusion

The Nothing Phone 3 series, launched in 2025, caters to diverse needs: the Phone 3 (₹79,999) is a flagship with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a 1.5K AMOLED, and a 50MP triple-camera setup, while the Phone 3a (₹23,591) and 3a Pro (₹28,499) deliver mid-range value with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and Glyph Interface. For Bhilwara’s tech enthusiasts, the Phone 3 offers premium performance, while the 3a series balances affordability and style, making Nothing a standout in 2025’s smartphone market.