Nothing Phone (3a) Review
Date: December 19, 2025
Written by: Hrushikesh Ingale
"Nothing is better than Google."
(Pun fully intended.)
Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal, subjective experience with the device. My intent isn’t to offend the talented designers and engineers at Nothing; rather, as a fan, I’m sharing my "two cents" to help more people discover your "thing."
Introduction: Au revoir SAMSUNG
Samsung is commendable for providing 4–5 years of OS and security updates. In fact, every time I considered an upgrade, my Samsung S21 FE would "slap" me with a fresh OneUI update, successfully postponing my purchase.
However, by late 2025, four years after I bought my S21, the hardware began to fail. Between charging port issues and the back cover detaching itself, I needed a replacement within 24 hours. I had a choice: take the "easy" route with the Samsung S25, which guaranteed a consistent experience, better cameras, and flagship performance, or try something entirely different.
When I held my mom’s S25, it felt like home. I knew exactly where every feature was in OneUI 8. But that was the problem: it was the same experience. After spending roughly $650 (~₹60,000), I wanted to feel like I actually bought a new phone. I wanted a breath of fresh air.
Enter the Nothing Phone (3a).
The Good: There is SOMETHING
The OS: Minimalist & Pure
Nothing OS is a revelation. Layered on top of clean Android, it’s open-source, fast, and free of bloatware or ads. The high-contrast black-and-white icons are visually striking, and the crisp AMOLED display makes the device feel more expensive than it is.
The Glyph Interface
While critics call it a gimmick, as a designer, I appreciate the customization. Creating your own ringtones and watching the Glyphs "dance" to the rhythm is a tactile delight. It’s a genuine head-turner.
Build Quality & Aesthetics
The design is premium and futuristic. During a recent holiday gathering where almost everyone had an iPhone 17 Pro, my Nothing Phone (3a) was the one stealing the thunder. The fast fingerprint scanner and the classy, transparent back design make it stand out in a sea of glass slabs.
Micro-Interactions & Sensory Details
The animations are liquid-smooth. The voice recorder, for instance, is perhaps the most beautiful execution of a utility app I’ve seen. Even the "Do Not Disturb" animation and accessibility features show a level of care for visual design language that is rare in this price bracket.
Battery & Display
The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a day and a half with my usage, and the 3000 nits display is one of the brightest I’ve encountered, making outdoor visibility a non-issue.
The Bad: Won the War, Lost the Battles
The Onboarding "Mess"
While the initial setup was smooth, the data transfer was frustrating. The OS blindly flooded my homescreen with every single app from my old phone without asking for my organization preferences. I had to manually remove each icon one by one, which was a significant UX fail.
Ergonomics & Handling
The phone is simply too large for comfortable one-handed use. Combined with the slippery glass back, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to hold without a cover. As a designer, I value "reachability," and this form factor misses that mark.
Hardware Placement
The "Essential Space" (or dedicated toggle) is positioned awkwardly. I frequently found myself pressing it accidentally instead of the screen lock button. Additionally, the volume rockers are on the opposite side of what I’m used to, requiring two hands to operate the buttons comfortably.
Context Menus
Long-pressing icons yields inconsistent options.
App Switching
Placing the "screenshot" button where "clear all" usually sits in the multitasking view is counter-intuitive.
Memory Management
The phone occasionally struggles to keep more than 4–5 apps in memory—likely due to the heavy animations.
The Verdict: To be, or not to be?
If you are looking for a brand new experience, then YES. It is a breath of fresh air in a stagnant market. However, be prepared for a learning curve—buy it only if you’re willing to spend a little time learning a new way of interacting with your tech.
This phone is for users like me: those who stick to 4–5 core apps (Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn), consume a lot of media, and want a high-quality display without breaking the bank. It may not have the "bleeding-edge" specs of a flagship, but at this price point, it’s a total "banger."
Epilogue: If Nothing ever releases a "Compact" version of this, it would be the perfect smartphone.