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Nothing Phone (3a) Pro appeared as a response to minor technical flaws in the previous version, which was liked for its distinctive style but still felt somewhat unfinished. In the new model, the maximum brightness has noticeably increased — by about 18%, making the screen more comfortable under direct sunlight. The battery, thanks to a more efficient chip and redesigned standby mode, added about 12–15% of actual usage time. The camera handles dynamic range more carefully — according to personal observations, the range has grown by about a quarter, improving resistance to overexposure. The thickness of the body has decreased by almost a millimeter, and the weight — by 6–7 grams, making the smartphone feel slightly more compact in hand. The model seems tailored for those who like to shoot on the go, watch a lot of videos, or frequently use navigation — stability in these scenarios has become noticeably better.

Design and Feel

The body is once again built around a transparent aesthetic, but the materials feel a bit “drier,” as if the engineers intentionally made the surface less slippery. In hand, the smartphone sits more steadily than the 2a Plus: weight redistribution moved the center slightly below the middle, so the device doesn’t tend to “tilt” forward while typing. The thickness is now about 8.2 mm, which is noticeable — the palm tires less during prolonged holding. The weight, approaching 192 grams, remains comfortable. Fingerprints appear but are unevenly distributed, so visually the smartphone stays neat longer than usual.

Display and Camera

The focus in this model is again on the display. The panel has become not only brighter but also about 12% more contrasty, making dark scenes in videos appear deeper. In sunlight, the display holds up confidently: the peak brightness is enough to keep text readable without squinting. The 120 Hz refresh rate feels natural — frame transitions are smooth even with rapid swipes. Colors are subjectively slightly calmer than most competitors, so the image doesn’t overwhelm with saturation, and skin tones look more realistic. The camera, in turn, improved in detail by about 15%, especially noticeable in daylight scenes: fine textures like brickwork or foliage are rendered more accurately. Autofocus has become more decisive and thinks less between frames, which helps when shooting children, animals, or movement outdoors.

Performance

At its core is an updated version of the Snapdragon 7-series chip, running at up to 2.5 GHz. The gain in everyday tasks is about 10–12%, and it is noticeable: the interface responds without delays, browser tabs reload less often, and switching between YouTube, social networks, and messengers almost never causes stutters. In games, the smartphone behaves predictably — frame stability is good at medium settings, and the body warms up moderately, allowing comfortable 20–30 minute sessions. GPS navigation works smoothly, which is especially noticeable in dense urban areas.

Software Features

The interface remains proprietary, with fast animations and a minimal set of system effects. New AI features function more as auxiliary tools: they speed up photo sorting, assist in gallery searches, and suggest camera settings in complex scenes. There are no significant “semi-automatic” elements, so the user doesn’t feel imposed upon. Compared to close competitors from Samsung or Realme, the Nothing interface feels lighter but also less feature-packed — and there is logic in this, as the focus remains on speed and predictability.

Battery and Charging

With a capacity of about 5000 mAh, the smartphone averages 7–8 hours of screen-on time. Video playback consumes about 10–12% per hour, GPS — around 15–17% depending on building density. In games, the discharge is predictably higher, about 20% per hour. Compared to the previous model, battery life increased by the same 12–15%, and it is truly noticeable: the smartphone more often lasts until evening even with active camera and social media use. Charging remains fast but not extreme, so the body temperature rises moderately during the process.

Conclusion

After several days of use, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leaves the impression of a device that doesn’t try to be a universal tool for everyone, but rather offers a smooth, well-thought-out combination of display, camera, and battery life. It is suitable for those who like a clean interface, watch a lot of videos, often shoot dynamic scenes, and value comfort in hand. There are also compromises — the device does not aim for flagship-level power, and the camera is still cautious at night. But in everyday use, the smartphone feels balanced and confident, without sharp edges or extremes.