“What’s that?”
“Nothinggg.”
Jokes aside, Carl Pei’s Nothing Phone has been shaking things up in the smartphone industry, proving that design can be just as important as specs. The brand has built a reputation for blending thematic software UI with striking hardware, creating a cohesive experience that stands out in a sea of lookalike devices. With the new Nothing Phone (3a), the brand continues this tradition—this time, bringing a more compelling choice to the sub-P20k market.
The Phone (3a) isn’t about chasing high benchmark scores or flexing the biggest camera sensor. It’s about delivering a thoughtful, well-rounded experience that feels just as good in your hand as it does in your pocket. Nothing’s signature identity—bold, recognizable, and minimalist—is very much intact. This phone refines what its predecessors started, iterating rather than reinventing, and that’s precisely what makes it exciting.
Design That Speaks Volumes
Nothing’s design philosophy is rooted in symmetry, recognizability, and what they call “technical warmth.” If you see a Nothing device from across the room, you instantly know it’s from them. That extends beyond just the aesthetic—it’s about a holistic brand experience that makes their devices feel instantly familiar. Drawing inspiration from Japanese iconography, mid-century industrial design, and even furniture, the Phone (3a) presents a refined geometric shape with clean lines and flat surfaces. It’s an intentional mix of nostalgia and modernity, making it feel both cutting-edge and comfortingly familiar.
Premium Feel, Without the Premium Price
Materials play a crucial role in enhancing the experience. The camera housing now features a metal surround, while the back panel shifts from plastic to glass—something you’d typically expect from higher-end flagships. The coolness of the glass in hand subtly reinforces a sense of quality, while precision-machined aluminum accents add a balance of elegance and durability. The display is protected by Panda Glass, offering solid resistance against scratches and minor drops.
But the Phone (3a) isn’t just about looking good—it performs just as well. Under the hood, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset ensures smooth day-to-day performance, whether you’re scrolling through apps or playing graphics-intensive games. The triple rear camera system, led by a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom (and up to 30x ultra zoom), delivers crisp shots with enhanced AI features like TrueLens Engine 3 and Ultra XDR for better color accuracy and dynamic range.
A Smarter Way to Stay Inspired
One of the standout additions to the Phone (3a) is Essential Space, a new feature powered by a dedicated Essential Key designed to help users capture, organize, and act on their ideas more efficiently. Whether it’s for jotting down quick notes, setting reminders, or storing inspirations, Essential Space keeps things within reach in a way that feels intuitive rather than overwhelming. Running on Nothing OS 3.1, based on Android 15, the software experience remains fluid, minimal, and free of unnecessary bloatware.
More Than Just Looks
Beyond aesthetics and performance, the 5,000mAh battery ensures all-day usage, while 50W fast charging means you won’t be tethered to an outlet for long. These practical upgrades round out the Phone (3a), making it a device that isn’t just about looking cool—it’s built to keep up with modern demands.
Priced at PHP 19,990 (8+128GB) and PHP 22,490 (12+256GB) through Digital Walker, the Nothing Phone (3a) delivers a mix of premium materials, reliable performance, and a unique software experience that stands out from the usual mid-range options. As Carl Pei puts it, the Phone (3a) is about providing a “really solid experience”—one that balances camera performance, battery life, display quality, and OS fluidity without unnecessary gimmicks.
Nothing Phone (3a) Specs:
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
- Qualcomm Hexagon NPU
- 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- 6.77″ flexible AMOLED
- IP 64 rating
- Dual Nano SIM support
- WiFi 6 & 5G support
- 5,000mah + 50W fast charging
- Triple camera system: Main 50MP Samsung f/1.8 camera, 50MP Samsung telephoto, 8MP Sony ultra-wide
