Nothing Nothing Phone (3a) A059 Review
The Nothing Phone (3a) brings unique style to the mid-range, but it makes some big compromises. We break down whether its cool factor is worth the trade-offs.
The 30-Second Version
The Nothing Phone (3a) is the cool, quirky friend of the mid-range. You buy it for the vibe and the clean software, but you compromise on the screen and 5G.
Overview
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a phone that's all about the vibe, and honestly, that vibe is pretty good. It's the kind of phone you buy because you're tired of the same old black slabs and want something that feels different without breaking the bank. The one thing you need to know? It's a solid mid-ranger that trades some raw specs for a unique personality and surprisingly good social buzz.
Performance
Here's the surprise: for a phone in this price bracket, it feels faster than the numbers suggest. Our data puts its performance in the 70th percentile, which is well above average. That 12GB of RAM means multitasking is a breeze, and the Snapdragon chip handles everyday apps without a hiccup. It's not going to win benchmark wars against a $1,200 flagship, but you'll rarely feel like you're waiting on it.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unique, conversation-starting design that actually feels thoughtful. 93th
- 12GB of RAM makes for excellent multitasking and future-proofing. 83th
- Nothing OS is clean, fast, and free of most bloatware. 70th
- Strong word-of-mouth and community love (93rd percentile for social proof). 70th
Cons
- The display is mediocre. At the 29th percentile, it's a clear weak spot next to rivals. 29th
- Battery life is just okay, landing in the bottom third of phones we track. 33th
- Stuck on 4G connectivity in a 5G world. That's a real compromise.
- Build quality feels average at best; don't expect it to survive many drops.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Performance
| RAM | 12 MB |
Camera
| Front Camera | 32 |
Design & Build
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| OS | Nothing OS 3.1 powered by Android 15 |
| Headphone Jack | No |
Value & Pricing
At around $500 to $560, the value proposition is sharp if you prioritize style and software over cutting-edge specs. You're getting flagship-level RAM and a unique experience for half the price of a top-tier phone. For the right person, that's a fantastic deal.
vs Competition
This phone sits in a tricky spot. The Google Pixel 10 Pro will run circles around it with a better camera and display, but it costs twice as much. The Motorola Moto G Stylus 2025 might match it on price and beat it on battery, but it lacks the Nothing's design flair and clean software. The real choice is between raw capability (Pixel) or personality (Nothing).
| Spec | Nothing Nothing Phone (3a) A059 | Samsung Galaxy Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB (Unlocked) - | Motorola Moto G Motorola - moto g stylus 2025 256GB (Unlocked) - | Google Pixel Google - Pixel 10 Pro 256GB (Unlocked) - Obsidian | OnePlus OnePlus OnePlus - 15 512GB (Unlocked) - Infinite Black | Apple iPhone Apple - Pre-Owned Excellent iPhone 16 Pro 5G 128GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | - | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Processor | - | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | - | 512 | 256 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | - | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | 32 | 12 | 32 | 42 | 32 | 12 |
| Battery Capacity Mah | - | 5000 | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | 3582 |
| Charging Wattage | - | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | false | - | true |
| Five (g) | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 |
| Operating System | Nothing OS 3.1 powered by Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 18 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Build | Camera | Battery | Display | Feature | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Nothing Phone (3a) A059 | 40.2 | 70.1 | 35.3 | 28.8 | 83.4 | 70 | 32.8 | 92.5 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Compare | 99.3 | 99.9 | 99.8 | 99.7 | 99.7 | 99.8 | 99.1 | 92.2 |
| Motorola Moto G stylus 2025 Compare | 99.9 | 96.9 | 99.9 | 99.7 | 100 | 86.6 | 99.9 | 99.8 |
| Google Pixel 10 Pro Compare | 99.3 | 99 | 90 | 97.9 | 88.9 | 83.2 | 98.7 | 98 |
| OnePlus OnePlus 15 Compare | 92.7 | 99.8 | 98.6 | 97.7 | 94.7 | 100 | 99.5 | 99.8 |
| Apple iPhone Pre-Owned Excellent 16 Pro 5G Compare | 99.3 | 99.4 | 88.8 | 98.4 | 86.2 | 97.4 | 94.5 | 98 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the lack of 5G a big deal?
Right now, maybe not. In two years, definitely. If you plan to keep this phone for a long time, 4G-only is a significant downside.
Q: How's the camera compared to a Pixel?
It's good, not great. Our data shows it's above average (70th percentile), but it won't match the computational photography magic of a Google phone. It's fine for social media.
Q: Should I be worried about the screen issues people mention?
It's the biggest red flag in the reviews. While not everyone has the problem, it's common enough that we'd factor it into your decision. Nothing's warranty support will be key.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for the best screen or the most future-proof specs at this price, this isn't it. Go get a last-gen flagship like a pre-owned iPhone or a Pixel on sale instead. You'll get better core hardware for similar money.
Verdict
We're giving this one a cautious recommendation. If you want a phone that feels different, performs smoothly for daily tasks, and you don't mind missing out on a top-tier screen or 5G, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a compelling pick. But if display quality or future-proof connectivity are non-negotiable, you should look elsewhere. It's a great second choice, not a default winner.