Nothing Phone 3a 8/256 GB - Best display on 120 Hz AMOLED for everyday performance overview

The Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB variant is priced at ₹26,999 on most platforms. For that money, you're getting a unique design, a great display, a capable camera, and clean software. It's not a steal, but it's definitely a fair deal if you value the looks and the glyph interface. I'd say it's worth it if you can find it under ₹25,000 during sales, which happens often enough.

Daylight shots are genuinely good – sharp, with natural colors and decent dynamic range. Low light is where it falls short of flagships, but honestly, it's fine for everyday use. You'll get some noise if you pixel-peep, but for social media and casual shooting, you won't complain. The 2x telephoto is a nice touch, but don't push beyond that – digital zoom turns mushy quickly, especially in video.

Nope, no charger included. Nothing ships just the phone and a USB-C cable. You'll need to buy a charger separately – and it's picky. I tried a couple of chargers I had lying around; one took forever and the other heated the phone up. If you get a proper 50W adapter from a decent brand or the official CMF one, it charges fast. But factor that extra cost into your budget. Irritating, but not a dealbreaker.

With moderate use – social media, some videos, a bit of gaming – it easily gets through a full day. I'm talking 5-6 hours of screen-on-time on average. Heavy users might need a top-up by evening, but the 50W charging helps if you have the right brick. The battery itself is 5000mAh, which is standard these days, not a champion but not a weak point either.

The display is one of its best features. It's a 6.77-inch AMOLED with 120Hz refresh and bright enough to see clearly under direct sun – we're talking 3000 nits peak brightness, which is actually a lot. Colors are punchy, and the bezels are skinny. Watching Netflix or YouTube is a treat. Only downside? No headphone jack, so you'll rely on Bluetooth or a dongle.

For everyday stuff – scrolling, switching between apps, browsing – it's smooth thanks to the 8GB RAM and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. Multitasking is a breeze. Gaming? It handles casual games fine, but heavy titles like Genshin Impact will make it warm and you'll need to dial settings down. Not a gaming phone, but for most people it's plenty. If you're a hardcore gamer, look elsewhere.

It's IP64 rated – so splash proof, meaning rain or accidental spills are fine, but don't go swimming with it. The build itself feels solid, glass front and back with an aluminum frame. It's a bit heavy at 201g, and the rear camera bumps out, so a case is advisable to avoid scratches. The design is definitely unique – that glyph interface on the back is a conversation starter.

Software is one of the cleanest Android experiences you'll get. No bloatware, just stock-like Android 15 with some nice touches. Nothing promises 3 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches – that's solid for a mid-ranger. The glyph interface is customizable, letting you set different patterns for different notifications even on silent mode. It's actually practical, not just gimmicky.

Apart from no charger, a few things annoy people. The side buttons sit in the middle, so if you use a car mount or a selfie stick, the clamps hit them and trigger actions – that's a common complaint. Also, the camera protrudes quite a bit, so it wobbles on a flat surface without a case. And the battery is just okay, not exceptional. But these are trade-offs, not dealbreakers for most.

Yes, it has 5G, dual SIM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. Call quality is good, and reception is solid – one review mentioned it has excellent antenna connectivity. No headphone jack, but you do get a USB-C port and support for Type-C earphones. The speaker is loud with decent bass, so media consumption is fine.

Video quality is good at 4K 30fps, and the OIS on the main camera helps keep things steady when you're walking. But the telephoto lens is weak – digital zoom beyond 2x gets blurry, and even at 2x, video looks softer. If you shoot a lot of video with zoom, this might disappoint. For regular vlogging or social media clips, it's capable.

You get 256GB of internal storage, which is plenty for most people – apps, photos, videos, games. But there's no microSD card slot, so you're stuck with 256GB. That's a con if you're a heavy user who stores lots of media. On the plus side, the UFS 2.2 storage is fast enough for quick app launches and file transfers.

The 32MP front camera is decent. Selfies come out sharp with natural tones, and portrait mode does a good job cutting out the background. In low light, it struggles a bit – details soften and colors get a bit muddy. But for video calls and regular selfies, it's more than adequate.

At 201 grams, it's on the heavier side. You'll notice it compared to lighter phones, but it's not uncomfortable – the flat edges actually give a good grip. The rear camera bump is the bigger issue; it makes the phone rock when placed on a table. A case solves that and adds a bit more weight, so be ready for that.

The glyph interface is a series of LED lights on the back that you can customize for notifications, calls, and even as a camera fill light. Practically, it's great for knowing if you have a notification without picking up the phone – especially in silent mode. Some patterns are fun, but honestly, it's more of a novelty than a necessity. Still, it's a signature feature that makes this phone stand out.

With a proper 50W charger, it goes from 0 to 100% in about an hour, which is fast enough. But if you use an old charger, it'll take much longer – maybe 1.5 to 2 hours. The heating issue I mentioned earlier? That was with a non-compatible charger. With the official one, it stays cool. So invest in a good charger to get the advertised speed.

No, there's no headphone jack. You'll need wireless earbuds or a USB-C dongle. The speakers, though, are pretty good – loud with some bass. But if you rely on wired earphones, that's a downside. Nothing sells its own earbuds that pair well, but that's extra cost.