Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Review: Second Fiddle

Price When Reviewed

$459

Best Prices Today: Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

For a company that’s never made a flagship phone, Nothing certainly gets a lot of attention.

The British firm, founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has aggressively targeted the mid-range segment since it began releasing phones in 2022. And with all its handsets boasting eye-catching designs, customisable ‘Glyph’ lights and retro-inspired software, they instantly stand out from the competition.

In 2025, Nothing has taken the unusual step of launching its Phone (3a) Series before the regular Phone (3). There are two models again this year, though the standard (3a) is now joined by a ‘Pro’ instead of a ‘Plus’.

Despite its name, the latter still costs just £449/$459. Is it the best phone at this price point, and are there enough reasons to buy it over the £329/$379 regular Phone (3a)? I spent two weeks with the Phone (3a) Pro to find out.

Design & Build

• Semi-transparent back with ‘Glyph’ lights
• Huge rear camera bump
• IP64 water and dust resistance

In my hands-on with the Phone (3a) Pro, I described it as “the most unusual phone I’ve ever tried”, and I stand by that.

As someone who reviewed the Phone (2a), that might come as a surprise. Indeed, the semi-transparent back and signature ‘Glyph’ lights we’ve come to associate with Nothing phones both remain. However, there are a couple of key hardware changes that make the (3a) Pro feel like a very different phone.

The one you’ve probably already noticed is the rear camera module, a huge disc that takes up nearly the entire top half of the phone. It’s a big departure from the Phone (2a) and (3a)’s cameras, which are much more discreet.

Now, I don’t have a problem with the way it looks, even though I prefer the design of other Nothing phones. But the extra bulk it adds to the device soon gets annoying.

The camera bump sticks out significantly from the back of the phone, making it wobble when trying to use face-up on a table. It’s a shame because the glass back is grippy enough to make going case-free a realistic option.

The (3a) Pro feels very well-built, and might just be the toughest glass-backed phone I’ve tried

And at 211g, the Phone (3a) Pro is significantly heavier than both the 201g regular Phone (3a) and 190g Phone (2a). If you’re coming from any sub-200g phone, this is a difference you’ll notice.

The other big change is the addition of a physical button to the plastic sides of the phone. And no, it’s not an Apple-inspired Action Button or Camera Control button.

Instead, it’s what Nothing is calling the ‘Essential Key’ – a shortcut that allows you to quickly capture voice notes, photos and screenshots, all of which are sent directly to the AI-enabled ‘Essential Space’ app.

I’ll talk more about its functionality in the ‘Software & Features’ section, but what I will say is that it’s very sensitive. I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally pressed it when taking the phone out of my pocket or trying to find the power button.

A big thing the phone has in its favour is durability. The (3a) Pro feels very well-built, and might just be the toughest glass-backed phone I’ve tried. You also get an improved IP64 rating, meaning it’s fully dust-resistant and can survive splashes of water, though full submersion is out of the question.

Sadly, the Phone (3a)’s eye-catching blue finish isn’t available on the Pro. Instead, you get a choice between the dull grey I tested or a classic black. If you want a colourful phone, the (3a) Pro ain’t it.

Screen & Speakers

• 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED screen
• Optical under-display fingerprint sensor
• Stereo speakers

Phone displays have gotten so good recently that you can get a flagship-quality screen on a mid-range handset. And that’s undoubtedly true for the Phone (3a) Pro.

It boasts a 6.77-inch, Full HD+ (1080 x 2392) flat AMOLED panel that’s up there with the very best. It offers the rich, vibrant colours and deep blacks we’ve come to associate with OLEDs, making it ideal for video content and social media.

Despite not matching most flagships’ 1440p resolution, detail and clarity are still excellent. I couldn’t tell the difference between the displays on the Phone (3a) Pro and the £999/$999 Samsung Galaxy S25+, and I doubt you could either.

That’s before we even get to the 120Hz refresh rate, which delivers the fast transitions and silky-smooth visuals that make the phone more enjoyable to navigate. The only slight catch is that the default ‘Dynamic’ mode can only go down to 30Hz, rather than 1Hz, limiting the power efficiency (and therefore battery life) benefits.

Nothing advertises up to 800 nits of typical brightness and 300 nits at its peak, making it one of the brightest displays around. I had no problems with outdoor visibility, even in bright sunlight.

While the bezel isn’t quite as slim as many high-end phones, I do appreciate that it’s consistent all the way around the edge screen. It gives the device an attractive symmetry.

I couldn’t tell the difference between the displays on the Phone (3a) Pro and the £999/$999 Samsung Galaxy S25+, and I doubt you could either

I want to give the under-display fingerprint sensor a special shoutout. It’s an optical scanner rather than the more advanced ultrasonic version we see on flagships, but I found it to unlock more consistently and quickly than any phone I’ve tried recently.

On paper, the Phone (3a) Pro offers an unremarkable pair of speakers. But the audio is surprisingly punchy, offering a depth we don’t often see on phones. It won’t replace dedicated speakers or headphones, but it’s plenty good enough for casual use.