Marques Brownlee - Nothing Phone 3a/Pro: Now Do a Flagship!
The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro are budget-friendly smartphones priced at $379 and $459, respectively. They offer a design and performance that closely mimic $1,000 flagship phones. The 3a Pro features a better camera system, but both models share a unique aesthetic with a split design and glyphs. The phones have improved build quality with a glass back, IP64 rating, and a brighter AMOLED display that peaks at 3,000 nits for HDR. They run on a Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chip with 12GB RAM, providing smooth performance thanks to optimized software, Nothing OS 3.1 on Android 15, which promises up to six years of updates. The phones lack AI features but introduce an AI button for capturing and managing screenshots and voice notes. Both models have a 5,000mAh battery with 50W charging but lack wireless charging. The camera systems are decent, with the Pro offering a better telephoto lens. Overall, the phones provide excellent value, and there's anticipation for a potential flagship model from Nothing.
Key Points:
- Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro are budget phones with flagship-like features, priced at $379 and $459.
- Unique design with a split design and glyphs, glass back, and IP64 rating.
- Powered by Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chip with 12GB RAM, offering smooth performance with Nothing OS 3.1.
- AI button for managing screenshots and voice notes, but lacks extensive AI features.
- 5,000mAh battery with 50W charging, no wireless charging, decent camera systems with better telephoto on Pro.
Details:
1. 📱 Introducing the Nothing Phone 3a Series
1.1. Nothing Phone 3a Overview
1.2. Nothing Phone 3a Pro Features
2. 🎨 Unique Design and Aesthetic
2.1. Design Features
2.2. Perceived Value
3. 🛠️ Build Quality and Features
- The device maintains its split design with glyphs around the cameras, but features some redesigns, including repositioned screws and altered shapes and details.
- The 3a Pro model is essentially a monochrome version with an enlarged camera bump, described as a 'camera plateau'.
- The unconventional, non-symmetrical camera design has been leaked and received mixed reactions, yet it provides a practical resting place for the user's index finger.
- The design aims to offer a budget phone with a unique aesthetic, achieving its goal of being distinct in appearance.
- The use of durable materials such as aluminum and Gorilla Glass enhances the phone's longevity and resistance to wear and tear.
- Functional features include ergonomic adjustments that improve user comfort and accessibility, like the strategic placement of buttons and ports.
4. 💡 Performance and Hardware
- The phone costs $379 but feels close to a $1,000 flagship, showing impressive value for money.
- Nothing, the company, has matured, allowing them to source premium parts from better suppliers, resulting in overall improvements.
- The phone now features a glass back instead of plastic, enhancing its premium feel.
- The device's IP rating has improved from IP54 to IP64, indicating better protection against dust and water.
- The AMOLED display has significantly improved, offering 800 nits normal brightness and up to 3,000 nits peak for HDR, one of the highest numbers on paper.
- The phone has a 6.77-inch display, larger than the previous 2A model, with even bezels and a high refresh rate, comparable to other flagship models.
- While the phone's brightness is slightly less than Ultra models and the under-display optical fingerprint reader is sometimes slow, these are minor trade-offs for its price.
5. ⚙️ Software and User Experience
- The phone transitions from a MediaTek chip to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7S gen 3 chip with 12GB of RAM, establishing it as a mid-range option rather than a budget phone.
- Despite not being a spec monster, the phone's performance remains smooth and efficient, comparable to higher-spec competitors, thanks to advanced software optimization.
- Nothing's software team has significantly enhanced the user experience through Nothing OS 3.1, which is based on Android 15, adding considerable value to the phone.
- The commitment to long-term software support is evident with up to six years of software updates planned for the device.
- Optimized animations improve user interactions across various functions such as swiping down the notification bar, expanding folders, and switching between recent apps.
- Specific software features like customizable themes, enhanced privacy controls, and improved battery management contribute to a superior user experience.
6. 🤖 AI Integration and Innovative Camera Features
- The phone provides smooth performance for most tasks, though it may experience minor hiccups during heavy GPU usage, such as prolonged gaming sessions.
- Nothing OS introduces new lock screen customization similar to iOS, allowing users to modify the clock and add widgets through long-press functionality.
- AI integration is minimal, lacking features like AI image generators and object removal, but includes a unique AI button for enhanced user interaction.
- The AI button, distinctively located below the power button, facilitates quick access to an 'essential space' for storing screenshots, setting reminders, and more.
- Users can utilize the AI button for taking screenshots and voice recordings, which are then transcribed and summarized, with options to set reminders based on the content.
- The phone's focus on AI is practical, offering tools to streamline tasks and improve user experience through easy access and functionality.
7. 🔋 Battery Life and Charging
- Both the 3a and 3a Pro have a 5,000 milliampere battery, offering excellent battery life.
- Both models feature 50 watt charging, enabling a full charge from 0 to 100% in approximately one hour.
- Neither model supports wireless charging, which might be a drawback for users accustomed to this feature.
8. 📷 Camera Comparison and Final Thoughts
8.1. Camera Comparison
8.2. Final Thoughts
9. 🎉 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Mention
- Ridge is running a 12 year anniversary sale with discounts of up to 40% on wallets, key cases, and travel gear.
- The sale may end soon, so viewers are encouraged to visit Ridge.com promptly.
- The speaker personally endorses the quality of Ridge's products as they have been using them lately.