Nothing Phone 3a vs Phone 3a Pro: Which One Should You Choose?

At first glance, the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro seem like two distinct models, but their similarities make the choice surprisingly straightforward. Both feature a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset — a capable yet modest performer built on a 4nm process. This is paired with 8GB (up to 12GB on Pro) LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. 

Both phones sport a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, capable of hitting 3000 nits peak brightness. And the display is protected by Panda Glass, a less common alternative to Gorilla Glass but still robust enough for daily wear and tear.

The phones also share a 5,000mAh battery that supports 50W wired charging. It is rated to deliver a full charge in under an hour. In day-to-day use, this combination should easily power through a full day with room to spare.

So, where does the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro pull ahead? Unsurprisingly, the camera setup is the biggest differentiator between the two. 

On paper, the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro feature similar triple-camera setups. Both include a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide, and a dedicated telephoto lens. However, the key difference is:

• The 3a has a 50MP 2x telephoto camera.
• The 3a Pro upgrades this to a 50MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom and a larger sensor.

For everyday use, the standard 50MP telephoto on the 3a should be enough for zoom shots. But for those who want a bit more reach, the periscope lens on the 3a Pro offers better zoom capabilities.

There’s a difference in terms of selfies too — the 3a Pro has a 50MP front-facing camera, while the standard model opts for a 32MP shooter. The Pro variant also supports 4K video recording on the front camera, while the 3a maxes out at 1080p.

As for design, the 3a Pro is slightly heavier at 211g compared to the 3a’s 201g, though both retain the company’s signature Glyph lighting system usable as a notification indicator or as camera fill lighting. 

The models also share an IP64 rating, meaning they’re resistant to dust and light splashes but shouldn’t be submerged in water.

Both phones run Nothing OS 3.1 on top of Android 15. Nothing OS has always focused on a clean, bloat-free experience, and that trend continues here.

However, the biggest talking point this time is that the company is promising six years of Android and security patch updates — the longest support period for a Nothing phone yet.

Additionally, the 3a Pro includes eSIM support alongside dual nano-SIM slots (except in India). This feature is unlikely to matter for most buyers, unless you’re a frequent international traveller. But given how similar these phones are otherwise, this isn’t a major selling point.

The Phone (3a) starts at ₹22,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the Phone (3a) Pro starts at ₹27,999 for the same configuration. This ₹5,000 difference becomes more significant as you scale up the storage tiers:

• 8GB + 256GB: ₹24,999 (3a) vs ₹29,999 (3a Pro)
• 12GB + 256GB: Not available on 3a; ₹31,999 (3a Pro)

For budget-conscious buyers, the Phone (3a) offers excellent value with minimal compromises. However, the added camera versatility, better selfie experience, and eSIM support make the Pro model a tempting upgrade for those who prioritize photography or travel frequently.

If you’re simply after a solid mid-range smartphone with Nothing’s signature aesthetics and smooth software experience, the Phone (3a) will likely meet your needs at a lower price. Its 2x telephoto lens and capable selfie camera are more than enough for casual users.

However, if you value camera performance — particularly zoom capabilities — or want enhanced selfie shots with 4K video recording, the Phone (3a) Pro could be worth paying extra.

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