Nothing Phone (3a) Series: Essential Key, Periscope camera, and Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
After a good month or so of leaks and official teasers, Nothing has finally rolled out the red carpets for the Phone (3a) Series. The series consists of the Phone (3a), which is a direct upgrade from the Phone (2a), and the all new Phone (3a) Pro model.
The phones sport plenty of similarities across the board, but the Pro model unsurprisingly has the better camera setup. Ultimately, this led to a rearrangement of the camera array, which is how you can spot the difference between the two right off the bat.
The base Phone (3a) is easy to describe. Just imagine the Phone (2a), but with the addition of a third lens, or a ‘third eye’ for those with stronger imagination. On the other hand, the Phone (3a) Pro has a more unconventional approach with the ultra-wide sitting above the main camera, and the periscope occupying the largest space next to the main camera.
On that topic, the Phone (3a)’s camera setup includes a 50MP OIS main camera backed by a 1/1.57″ sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens capable of 2x optical zoom, 4x in-sensor zoom, and 30x ultra zoom, as well as an 8MP ultra-wide lens.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the Phone (3a) Pro is its 50MP OIS periscope lens supported by a 1/1.95″ Sony LYTIA 600 sensor. This is capable of 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless zoom, and a whopping 60x ultra zoom. Flanking it is the 50MP 1/1.56″ camera with OIS, and an 8MP ultra-wide.
For selfies, you’ll have a 32MP front camera on the base model, and a 50MP setup on the Pro model.
Image quality is enhanced by TrueLens Engine 3, which employs computational algorithms, AI processing, and multi-frame technology for greater colour accuracy and vibrancy that are true-to-life.
Aesthetics and camera aside, the Phone (3a) Series is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor which Nothing claims provides 33% faster CPU and 8% more battery efficiency. Additionally, they are each fitted with a 6.77″ AMOLED display offering FHD+ (1080×2392) resolution, 120Hz refresh rates, and 3,000nits peak brightness.
Then, there’s also the Glyph Interface that maintains the three-strip setup from last year’s Phone (2a).
Keeping all systems running is a 5,000mAh battery with support for 50W wired charging. You’ll also have an IP64 rating for protection.
What’s new is the inclusion of the Essential Key button, located at the right edge of the phone. This functions as a multipurpose button, where users can press once to capture what’s on screen or long-press to record voice note. It is also a shortcut to access Nothing’s new Essential Space feature, which organizes content captured with the Essential Key and generates AI-powered action points.
For example, recording a voice note by long-pressing the Essential Key will trigger a set of action points, such as setting reminders. You can also use the Essential Key to capture photos of, say, an event poster, where it will then transcribe the information and save it as a reminder. All your previous content and notes are stored in Essential Space, accessible by double pressing the Essential Button.
Nothing Phone (3a) Series price in Malaysia
The Phone (3a) is available in Black, White, and Blue, while the Phone (3a) Pro will arrive in Grey and Black.
Nothing Malaysia has not unveiled the official pricing of the Phone (3a) Series in Malaysia. We are expecting an announcement in the coming days, but based on the official website, it seems we’ll only be getting the 12GB/256GB variants for both models.
To give a ballpark figure, the 12GB/256GB model of the Phone (3a) will retail at USD379 (~RM1,687.5), while the 12GB/256GB model of the Phone (3a) Pro retails at USD459 (~RM2,043.47).
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