Nothing Phone 3a 256GB

Looking at the Phone 3a's on-paper specifications, one may have mixed feelings compared to the Phone (2a) (review). The standout addition is the new 50MP telephoto camera (periscope lens on the Pro model), but the primary 50MP OIS-enabled sensor is slightly smaller. The ultra-wide lens has also been downgraded to 8MP, while the 32MP selfie camera remains unchanged.However, real-world performance tells a different story. The Phone (3a) outperformed its predecessor on nearly all fronts in our camera comparison. It handles exposure better in daylight, and the telephoto camera (2x instead of 3x on the Pro model) adds more versatility for portrait shots. The selfie camera has also been fine-tuned for Indian skin tones, delivering a balanced brightness and contrast, even in low-light conditions.Video quality remains solid, though I would've liked to see 4K at 60FPS with the main camera - a feature that's becoming more common in the sub-Rs 30K segment. There's still scope for improvement in terms of details in both still shots and videos, but that's a common challenge faced by almost all smartphones in this category.Beyond its predecessor, the Phone (3a) held its own against the Realme P3 Ultra (review) in our blind camera test, where readers voted on the best shots across different lenses. However, it didn't perform as well as the iQOO Neo 10R (review), which is fair, given the price difference.Compared to its direct rival, the POCO X7 (review), the Phone (3a) falls short in gaming and durability. Let's break down how they differ based on camera performance.DaylightBoth smartphones offer similar levels of detail, but there's a slight difference in their colour science. The Phone 3a opts for a natural approach, while the POCO X7 prioritises slightly warmer tones.The former also strikes a good balance between exposure and contrast, offering a more aesthetically appealing shot.Ultra-wideThe ultra-wide shots from both smartphones may look similar at first glance, but there are noticeable differences in how they handle details.For instance, the Phone (3a) captures sharper foreground elements, while the POCO X7 does a better job of preserving background details.Additionally, the POCO X7 offers a wider dynamic range, making details near the trees on the right more visible.PortraitWe are accessing portrait shots with the primary camera since the POCO X7 skips a telephoto lens.The POCO X7 handles edge detection better, but the Phone (3a) captures superior facial details. Additionally, the Phone 3a does a better job balancing colours, including skin tones, even under harsh brightness.SelfieThe Phone (3a) continues to do a better job capturing more facial details with the front camera, but the POCO X7's image looks more aesthetically pleasing.In this case, the Phone (3a)'s shot looks a bit flat as it lacks depth and contrast.Low-light (with night mode)Finally, both smartphones capture a decent shot in low light with night mode enabled. While they offer similar levels of detail, the POCO X7 has a slight edge in handling lens flare.It also does a better job of balancing exposure, especially with the background lights.

Nothing's latest attempt to stand out in the market is the AI-backed Essential Space, accessible via the dedicated Essential button next to the power button. While the placement could have been more ergonomic, the Essential key is undoubtedly one of the finest additions to a smartphone in a long time.At first glance, its functionality might seem basic, allowing you to store screenshots, quick text notes, and voice memos. But Nothing is leveraging AI to organise files, provide descriptions, and even remind you of upcoming events. Stored notes and voice memos are analysed, creating a personalised diary that helps you revisit things you've looked up online.For anyone who tends to forget things or juggles multiple tasks daily, Essential Space could be a game-changer. While it's still in its early stages, Essential Space has endless possibilities. For instance, the next step could include scanning notifications and emails for even more custom reminders and to-do lists.Apart from the Essential Space, the Phone (3a) provides basic AI tools like Object Remover, AI Unblur, and Google's Circle to Search (with Android 15).

The regular and Pro models of the Phone (3a) series both feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC. While the wait continues for Nothing to utilise MediaTek or Qualcomm's flagship chipsets, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC is a modest choice for productivity-focused phones. The brand has also worked closely with Qualcomm to fine-tune the experience, particularly gaming and AI. Additionally, the AI-backed features like Essential Space will appeal to many users, myself included.Of course, if we look at the numbers, the Phone (3a) secures a lower position against immediate rivals like the Realme P3 Pro (also powered by SD 7s Gen 3) and Vivo T3 Pro (SD 7 Gen 3). Its performance in the throttle test is also decent, if not the best.For daily work, the particular Snapdragon chipset is sufficient for browsing and even multitasking. You might notice some lags here and there, though it did not affect my general workflow.Even for gaming, the Phone (3a) supports Extreme+ FPS and Ultra HDR graphics in BGMI. With HDR and Ultra settings, it achieves an average FPS of 39, which is quite impressive, even better than the Realme P3 Pro at 37.5 FPS and the Vivo T3 Pro at 36.6 FPS. I noticed a similar smooth gaming experience while playing COD Mobile at Max settings. Based on our lab test, the phone also managed heat somewhat efficiently.For me, Nothing phones have always been about the software experience, which remains one of the cleanest in any segment - second only to Pixel devices. The Phone (3a) doesn't have any third-party apps, which is impressive since even some flagship models priced over a lakh cannot provide the cleanest Android experience.SmartphonePre-installed appsSoftware updates (OS + security)Nothing Phone 3a27 (0 third-party)3 years + 6 yearsPOCO X765 (17 third-party)3 years + 4 yearsRealme P3 Pro65 (12 third-party)2 years + 3 years

The Phone 3a retained a 5,000mAh battery, now supported by a slightly faster 50W wired charging. However, there's still no charger in the box, and buying the proprietary adapter costs over Rs 2,000 on Flipkart, which some users might find frustrating.That said, battery life holds up well, and most users won't face major issues. With the highest settings enabled, the Phone 3a lasts almost a full day. Based on our lab tests, which included gaming and YouTube streaming, it performed on par with the POCO X7 and Edge 50 Neo, if not slightly better.However, charging speeds aren't the best in the segment. Compared to the Realme P3 Pro and Edge 50 Neo, the Phone 3a's charging performance is modest.SmartphoneBattery (charging speed)Charging time (20 to 100 percent)Nothing Phone (3a)5,000mAh (50W)52 minutesPOCO X75,500mAh (45W)51 minutesRealme P3 Pro6,000mAh (80W)39 minutes