Nothing has officially announced the launch details for its Phone (3a) Series, bringing a fresh batch of sleek, interesting-looking devices to the market. The new lineup includes the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, both offering compelling mid-range specs at competitive prices. However, for US customers, there’s a catch—these devices will only be available through Nothing’s US Beta Program at launch.
Availability and Pricing
The Phone (3a) will be up for order starting March 4, with shipments beginning March 11. Those looking for the Pro model will need to wait a bit longer—orders open March 11, with deliveries rolling out March 25.
Pricing for the US market is as follows:
- Phone (3a) (12GB RAM + 256GB storage, Black/White) – $379
- Phone (3a) Pro (12GB RAM + 256GB storage, Grey/Black) – $459
Carrier Compatibility
For those wondering about carrier support, Nothing has confirmed LTE and 5G compatibility across major US carriers. AT&T and Verizon users, however, will need to contact their carriers to whitelist their device’s IMEI for full 5G access.
Supported Networks:
- AT&T
- LTE Bands: 2/4/12/17/5/48/66
- 5G Bands: 2/5/66/77
- T-Mobile
- LTE Bands: 2/4/5/12/41/48/66
- 5G Bands: 41/77
- Verizon
- LTE Bands: 2/4/5/48/66
- 5G Bands: 2/5/66/77
CDMA is not supported, so legacy Verizon users may need to check their coverage options.
Software Update Commitment
Nothing is offering a six-year software update policy for the Phone (3a) Series, ensuring long-term usability. This includes:
- Three years of major Android updates
- Six years of security updates
- Additional functionality and corrective updates
This policy aligns Nothing with major competitors in the Android space, offering a longer-than-average support window for mid-range devices.
Main Differences Between Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro
- Camera system
- The Phone (3a) Pro includes a 50MP periscope telephoto lens (Sony LTY-600) for better zoom capabilities.
- The Phone (3a) lacks a telephoto lens and only has a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide camera.
- The front camera on the Pro model is upgraded to 50MP, while the standard 3a has a 32MP front camera.
- Design and color options
- The Phone (3a) is available in black and white.
- The Phone (3a) Pro is available in grey and black.
- Weight and dimensions
- The Phone (3a) Pro is slightly heavier (211g vs. 201g) and a bit thicker.
Beyond these differences, both phones share the same processor, display, battery, and software support, making the Pro model ideal for users who want better zoom capabilities and a higher-resolution front camera.
How It Compares: Phone (3a) vs. Phone (2a)
If you’re wondering whether to upgrade from the Phone (2a) or how the new models stack up, here’s a quick look at the key changes:
- The Phone (3a) Series swaps out the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, which delivers improved performance and efficiency.
- The Pro model introduces a 50MP periscope telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities.
- Display brightness gets a boost, hitting 3,000 nits peak brightness—a noticeable jump from the 1,300 nits on the Phone (2a).
- The IP rating improves to IP64 on the Phone (3a) Series, meaning better dust and water resistance.
Final Thoughts
Nothing continues to carve out its niche with unique design choices and a strong software commitment. While the US Beta Program exclusivity might limit the initial availability, these devices bring compelling hardware and long-term support at reasonable prices. Those who don’t mind jumping through a few hoops for 5G activation might find these to be some of the most interesting mid-range options of the year.
