The smart buy: Nothing's cheapest periscope zoom, with the NFC the Phone (4a) lacks.
8.1/10 in our review₹29,999 for 8GB + 128GB
- Display
- 6.77" · 120Hz
- Chip
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
- RAM
- 8GB
- Camera
- 50MP main + 2 more
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Charging
- 50W
- Camera
Is it any good?
Our score: 8.1 out of 10
The most fun phone under ₹30,000, with a zoom camera that earns its place.
- Buy it if
- you want clean software and a real zoom camera
- Skip it if
- you need two full days of battery
The Phone (3a) Pro is the cheapest way into a Nothing phone with a periscope camera: ₹29,999 for 8GB + 128GB. It is for people who want real optical zoom and tap-to-pay, and don't need the newest chip.
The main and periscope cameras are both 50MP with optical stabilisation, the periscope giving 3x optical zoom, and the selfie camera is 50MP too, against 32MP on the ₹24,999 Phone (3a). Add a 120Hz AMOLED screen rated at 3,000 nits, 50W charging, IP64 and NFC. Next to the ₹36,999 Phone (4a), it gives up a newer chip, a sharper screen and 400 mAh of battery, and saves you ₹7,000.
The catch is the ultrawide, an 8MP camera that lags well behind the other two, and the software: it runs Android 15 with 3 OS updates, so its support ends before the Phone (4a)'s does. There is no charger in the box either.
Every spec
The whole spec sheet, minus the marketing words.
Display
| Size | 6.77 inches |
|---|---|
| Panel | Flexible AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2392 x 1084 (Full HD+) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits |
| Protection | Panda Glass |
Performance
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core, up to 2.5GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 810 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Software | Nothing OS 3.1, Android 15 · 3 OS updates |
Camera
| Rear cameras | 50MP main (OIS) + 50MP periscope (OIS) + 8MP ultrawide |
|---|---|
| Front camera | 50MP |
| Video | 4K (rear) |
Battery
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh |
|---|---|
| Wired charging | 50W |
Build and connectivity
| Network | 5G (SA/NSA), 4G LTE |
|---|---|
| SIM | Dual nano SIM |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Dust and water | IP64 |
| Weight | 211 g |
| Thickness | 8.35 mm |
| Colours | Grey, Black |
Availability
| India launch | 4 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Status | On sale in India |
| Versions | 8GB + 128GB₹29,999 |
What to compare it with
About the same money, different brands. Pick one to see them side by side.
- Realme Phone (3a) Pro vs P4 Pro 5G ₹28,999 · ₹1,000 less Also strong on camera Compare them
- Xiaomi Phone (3a) Pro vs Redmi Turbo 5 ₹31,999 · ₹2,000 more Also strong on camera Compare them
- OPPO Phone (3a) Pro vs F35 Pro 5G ₹31,999 · ₹2,000 more Also strong on camera Compare them
- Poco Phone (3a) Pro vs X8 Power ₹30,999 · ₹1,000 more Strong on battery life Compare them
What else to consider
Similar phones
Other brands, about the same price.
