Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro review: Rising above the boring competition

The Nothing Phone 2a was one of the most memorable smartphones of 2024. It offered a fast display, big battery and personality, all for just $349. For a follow-up, Nothing could have simply refreshed the 2a and the result would have probably been worth recommending. But the company didn’t do that. Instead, it decided to update the 2a and release an entirely new handset alongside it.

That new device, the Phone 3a Pro, has something you don’t find on many midrange smartphones: a periscope telephoto camera. If you can live with some added weight and a slightly silly design, the 3a Pro offers a nearly flagship camera experience for $459. As for the 3a, it’s a great device on its own, and a smart alternative if you have even less to spend on a new phone.

Carrier compatibility

There are a couple of important details I need to mention before I get too far into this review. In the US, Nothing is selling the 3a and 3a Pro through a “beta” program where the company only offers 14 days of after-sale support. If …read more