Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro: Say Hello to the Periscope Camera and One of the Most Intriguing AI Capabilities Ever

Nothing announced new smartphones at MWC 2025: the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. These two mid-range devices are very similar. However, the Pro model has some advantages in the camera department, putting it a step above the standard version.

Both devices will go on sale at the end of March, with prices starting at $379 for the basic model. The Phone (3a) Pro will be available for $459.

Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro Specs

Very Similar on the Outside…

Left: Nothing Phone (3a). Right: Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.

The Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro look quite similar on the outside. While they have some subtle yet significant differences, their overall appearance is nearly identical. Both devices share the same dimensions and weight, but the major distinction lies in the camera module. The Phone (3a) Pro features a periscope camera, which requires more space.

As is characteristic of the brand, Nothing continues to use a transparent finish and the Glyph Interface. The backlights now have new modes and patterns. Additionally, the company has improved water and dust resistance by incorporating an IP64 rating.

Regarding the display, both models feature identical screens. They’re a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, up to 3,000 nits of typical brightness, and Panda Glass (an alternative to Gorilla Glass). The fingerprint reader is located under the screen.

…And the Inside

The Nothing Phone (3a).

Internally, both devices are equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, 12 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of internal storage. They run on NothingOS 3.1, which has been updated with new interfaces for certain apps and includes support for eSIM. The operating system is based on Android 15. Meanwhile, the battery capacity is 5,000 mAh with 50 W fast charging capabilities. However, the most interesting aspects of these devices lie in their software and AI features.

Nothing has introduced a new feature called Essential Space, an AI-driven productivity tool designed to help users organize several types of content, including text and images. For instance, if you’re walking along the street and see a concert poster, you can simply launch the camera, activate Essential Space, and say, “Watch this concert later.” The information will then be stored automatically in that space.

The Nothing Phone (3a).

Essential Space is linked to a physical button on the right edge of the phone, the Essential Key. This key serves as the main interface for all AI-related functionalities, reminiscent of the Rabbit R1. It’ll be interesting to see how the feature evolves.

This system utilizes Google Gemini and OpenAI models. According to Nothing, most of the data processing occurs on the device itself, and no information is used for advertising or shared with third parties. It's worth mentioning that this feature is currently free, although it's unclear if paid options will be introduced in the future.

More from Xataka On

Nothing's CMF Phone 1, Which Shattered the Low-Cost Phone Market, Proves Manufacturers Have a Lot of Room to Lower Their Prices

The Subtle Yet Significant Difference in Camera Quality

Left: Nothing Phone (3a). Right: Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.

The most notable distinction between the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is their camera capabilities. Both models feature a 50 MP main sensor equipped with OIS and EIS and an 8 MP wide lens. However, the Pro version includes a periscope lens, granting it superior zoom capabilities.

The periscope lens on the Phone (3a) Pro allows for 3x optical zoom, 6x zoom via the sensor, and up to 60x digital zoom. In contrast, the standard Phone (3a) offers 2x optical zoom, 4x sensor zoom, and up to 30x digital zoom. Additionally, the Phone (3a) Pro features enhanced focus, optimized HDR, and improved low-light performance, reducing image noise.

There’s also a minor difference in the front camera. The Phone (3a) Pro has a 50 MP front camera, while the Phone (3a) has a 32 MP front camera, which is still a commendable resolution.

Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro Models and Price

The Nothing Phone (3a).

The new Nothing Phone (3a) series will be available for purchase at the end of March. The standard model will come in white, black, and blue, while the Pro version will be available in grey and black.

The prices are as follows:

• Nothing Phone (3a) (12 GB + 256 GB): $379
• Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (12 GB + 256 GB): $459

Images | Nothing

Related | The CMF Phone 1 Allows Users to Change the Back Cover, So Some People Are Doing Really Cool Things With Their 3D Printers