At A Glance:
- Distinctive design with transparent aesthetics, polycarbonate frame, glass back and front; different colour scheme.
- Solid build quality with IP64 dust and splash resistance.
- Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset with 8GB RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
- Triple-camera system: 50MP OIS primary, 50MP 2x telephoto lens, 8MP ultra-wide.
- 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and peak brightness of 3000 nits.
The Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition arrives as the latest addition to the company’s smartphone lineup. This limited edition device builds on the Phone 3a's success and offers a different colour scheme.
What's In The Box?
- Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition (12GB + 256GB)
- USB Type-C cable
- SIM tool
- User manual
Inside the box, you also get the details of the people who have contributed to the Phone 3a's Community Edition. The co-creators are as follows:
- Hardware concept & packaging design by Emre Kayganacı
- Lock screen clock & wallpaper design by Jad Zock
- Accessory design by Ambrogio Tacconi & Louis Aymonod
- Marketing by Sushruta Sarkar
Specifications: Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition
CategorySpecificationBody163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm; 201grams; plastic frame, glass front and back; IP64 rating 3 LED light strips (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones)Display6.77-inch AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Ultra HDR support Brightness: 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) Resolution: 1080 x 2392 px; Aspect Ratio: 19.93:9; Pixel Density: 387 ppiChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm TSMC) Octa-core: 1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520 GPU: Adreno 710 (940 MHz)Memory Options128GB + 8GB RAM; 256GB + 8GB RAM; 256GB + 12GB RAMOperating SystemAndroid 15; Nothing OS 3; Up to 3 major Android upgradesRear CameraMain: 50MP, f/1.9, 24mm, PDAF, OIS Telephoto: 50MP, f/2.0, 50mm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom Ultra-wide: 8MP, f/2.2, 15mmFront Camera32MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide)Video CaptureRear: 4K 30fps; 1080p 30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS, OIS Front: 1080p 30fpsBattery5000mAh; 50W wired charging 50 per cent in 19 minutes; 100 per cent in 56 minutesConnectivity5G; Wi-Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.4; NFCOther FeaturesUnder-display optical fingerprint reader; stereo speakers; Circle to SearchDesign And Build Quality
There is practically no difference between the standard Nothing Phone 3a and the Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition. The company has built its reputation on striking design, and the Phone 3a Community Edition continues that tradition. This phone, just like the standard edition, features a plastic body with glass on both the front and back, maintaining a premium feel despite its more accessible cost.
Apart from the overwhelming blue, you can also see colours like pink, red, yellow, and green. The volume rockers are black, while the Essential Key is pink in colour. The power button is white in colour with a matte finish.
At only 201 grams and 8.4mm thick, it is substantial without being unwieldy. The Glyph Interface, a signature of Nothing’s design language, returns with three LED light strips on the back. These strips are not merely decorative; they serve as functional indicators for notifications, camera fill light, and other customizable features. The phone also carries an IP64 rating, offering dust protection and resistance against water splashes, which adds a layer of durability for everyday use.
The back panel deserves praise here. The overall package is very impressive. The frosted glass look gives it a very pleasant touch and feel, while the new colour scheme is, of course, an eye catcher. Lastly, the way the camera module sits in between all this design frenzy and an updates colour theme - for some reason it just clicks.
Display
The Nothing Phone 3a is equipped with a 6.77-inch AMOLED display, supporting one billion colours and a 120Hz refresh rate. With HDR10+ certification and Ultra HDR image support, the panel is designed to deliver vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling. Brightness levels are impressive, with a peak of 3000 nits, ensuring visibility even under direct sunlight. The resolution of 1080 x 2392 pixels translates to a pixel density of 387ppi, which is sharp enough for both media consumption and productivity tasks.
For professionals who rely on their devices for presentations or content review, the display offers clarity and responsiveness that rivals more expensive models. For gamers and video streamers, this is a potent combination as well.
From a Community Edition perspective, the phone does come with some exclusive wallpapers. There are four versions, i.e, two blue and two purple, giving users options to explore. The custom lock screen clock is not static, i.e., there is animation involved that makes it seem like the clock digits thicken in width as you wake up your screen.
Performance: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Remains A Capable SoC
Under the hood, the 3a runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process. The octa-core CPU configuration, paired with the Adreno 710 GPU, ensures robust performance for multitasking, gaming, and productivity applications. Memory options include 8GB or 12GB of RAM, with storage configurations of 128GB and 256GB. While not flagship-level, this hardware combination provides more than enough power for the average user, including business professionals who need reliable performance for communication, document handling, and light creative work. The phone ships with Android 15 and Nothing OS 3.1, with the promise of three major Android upgrades, ensuring longevity in terms of software support.
Triple Camera: 50MP Wide, 50MP Tele, 8MP Ultrawide
The camera setup is where the 3a differentiates itself from the Pro model. It features a dual rear system with a 50MP wide main sensor and a 50MP telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom. An 8MP ultra-wide sensor rounds out the package. The main sensor benefits from optical image stabilisation, which enhances low-light performance and reduces motion blur. Video capture supports 4K at 30fps and multiple frame rates at 1080p, with gyro-EIS and OIS ensuring stability. On the front, a 32MP camera caters to selfies and video calls, delivering sharp results. For business users, the camera system is more than adequate for professional-quality video conferencing and content creation, though it lacks the versatility of the Pro’s triple-camera array.
Battery And Charging: 5,000mAh Li-ion with 50W Charging
Battery life is another strong suit of the 3a. The 5,000mAh cell provides ample endurance for a full day of heavy use, including streaming, calls, and productivity tasks. Charging is handled via 50W wired technology, with claims of reaching 50 per cent in 19 minutes and a full charge in under an hour. While wireless charging is absent, the fast wired solution ensures minimal downtime, which is critical for professionals who rely on their devices throughout the day.
Connectivity
The Nothing Phone 3a supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, covering all modern standards. An under-display optical fingerprint reader adds security, while stereo speakers enhance the multimedia experience. A notable addition is the Essential Key and Essential Interface, which introduces AI-driven features designed to organise content such as screenshots and voice memos. This functionality, accessible via a dedicated button, reflects Nothing’s attempt to integrate AI into everyday workflows, potentially appealing to business users who value efficiency and organisation.
Software Experience: Nothing OS 3.5
Nothing OS 3 builds on the company’s minimalist philosophy, offering a clean interface with subtle customisations. The integration of the Glyph Interface into software workflows adds a unique dimension, allowing users to personalise notifications and interactions. The Essential Space feature, driven by AI, is particularly noteworthy as it attempts to streamline content management. This feature proved to be highly useful in the company's flagship Phone 3, and it will continue to do so in subsequent phones.
Final Thoughts On The Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition
The Nothing Phone 3a is already a well-rounded device that successfully balances affordability with premium features. Its standout design, vibrant display, capable performance, and thoughtful software additions make it more than just another mid-range smartphone. While the camera system is less versatile than the Pro model, it remains competent for most use cases. What the Phone 3a Community Edition does is give it a different flair. More importantly, it also emphasises Nothing's knack of engaging with the community.
In a market where differentiation is increasingly difficult, Nothing has managed to craft a product that feels fresh yet practical. The Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition is priced at Rs 28,999, and there are only 1,000 units made to be available globally. The device will be available in India on 13th December, exclusively at a special drop event in Bengaluru.
The Community Edition of the Phone 3a is a joint effort. The hardware design for this edition comes from Emre Kayganacl, who drew inspiration from late-90s and early-2000s designs. Ambrogio Tacconi and Louis Aymonod were responsible for the accessory design, which they introduced via a dice-inspired concept. A custom lock screen clock designed by Jad Zock. Lastly, the ‘Made Together’ marketing concept comes from Sushruta Sarkar.
From a business perspective, the Nothing Phone 3a was one of the most successful smartphones from the tech startup this year. It represented a move to broaden the company’s appeal as it took the baton from the previous and also successful Phone 2a. By offering a device that retains the design and performance hallmarks of its higher-end sibling while cutting costs through camera simplification and material choices, Nothing is targeting a larger market. The Phone 3a Community Edition will definitely make for a collector's item for those who cherish Nothing's unique take on smartphone design.
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