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The Nothing Phone (3a) adds a dedicated 2× telephoto camera, uses a different processor platform and lists slightly faster charging than the Phone (2a). A single price difference cannot be stated without a country, storage configuration and date: Nothing’s storefronts listed the 3a at €329 in Europe and £329 in the UK, with a £289 UK offer displayed. Those are not like-for-like comparisons with a current 2a price.
Nothing Phone (2a) vs Phone (3a): specification comparison
The figures below are manufacturer specifications, not independent benchmark or camera-test results. Values and availability can vary by market.
| Specification | Nothing Phone (2a) | Nothing Phone (3a) | What the difference means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, up to 2.8 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, up to 2.5 GHz | They use different platforms. Clock speed alone does not show which performs better in everyday use. |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP main and 50 MP ultra-wide | 50 MP main, 50 MP telephoto with 2× optical zoom, and 8 MP ultra-wide | The 3a adds a dedicated telephoto camera. The listed megapixels do not establish which phone takes better photos. |
| Display | 6.7-inch AMOLED; 1084 × 2412; adaptive 30–120 Hz | 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED; 1080 × 2392; adaptive 120 Hz | The 3a is slightly larger, while the listed resolution is marginally lower. Both are in the 120 Hz refresh-rate class. |
| Peak brightness | 1,300 nits, manufacturer listing | 3,000 nits, manufacturer listing | These are manufacturer figures, not a matched independent brightness test. |
| Battery and charging | 5,000 mAh; 45 W; claimed full charge in 59 minutes | 5,000 mAh; 50 W; claimed full charge in 56 minutes | Capacity is the same on paper. Nothing’s claimed charging times are not verified independent results. |
| Ingress protection | IP54 on Nothing’s international product page | IP64 on Nothing’s product page | The published ratings differ, but neither should be read as permission to expose a phone to water without checking the rating’s limits. |
| Software support | A directly comparable current commitment was not established in the available official material. | Nothing states 3 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches. | The available figures do not support a quantified support-period comparison. |
| Price shown | A current same-market price was not established. | €329 on Nothing’s EU storefront; £329 with a £289 offer shown on its UK storefront. | These are separate regional storefront observations, not a global or same-market price gap. |
What changed most from the Phone (2a) to the Phone (3a)?
A telephoto camera joins the rear camera system
The most distinct camera hardware change on the spec sheet is the 3a’s 50 MP telephoto camera with 2× optical zoom. It gives the phone a dedicated zoom perspective alongside its main and ultra-wide cameras. The 2a lists two rear cameras: a 50 MP main and a 50 MP ultra-wide. These specifications describe camera roles and resolution, not the quality of photos; no independent image-quality comparison is established here.
The processor platform changes
Nothing lists a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro in the 2a and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the 3a. A change of chipset does not, by itself, prove a real-world speed advantage. The listed maximum clock rates—2.8 GHz for the 2a and 2.5 GHz for the 3a—are not a reliable substitute for comparable performance testing.
#1 Best Overall
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
The display is a little larger, with a different resolution
The 3a’s listed screen is 6.77 inches, compared with 6.7 inches for the 2a. Their listed resolutions are 1080 × 2392 and 1084 × 2412 respectively, and both specifications include a 120 Hz refresh-rate ceiling. Nothing advertises 3,000 nits peak brightness for the 3a and 1,300 nits for the 2a; treat these as manufacturer claims rather than proof of a measured brightness advantage under identical conditions.
Battery capacity stays the same
Both phones list a 5,000 mAh battery. The 3a lists 50 W charging versus 45 W for the 2a, and Nothing claims full-charge times of 56 and 59 minutes respectively. The small difference in the manufacturer’s stated times is not an independent battery or charging test.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
What is the price difference?
There is no substantiated single price gap from the available figures because they do not include a current Phone (2a) price matched to the 3a by country and configuration. Nothing’s EU storefront listed the Phone (3a) at €329. Its UK storefront showed £329 and a £289 offer for the selected model. These prices were observed on Nothing’s storefronts in 2026 and can change with promotions, stock and configuration.
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Rank #3
- Transparent Design: Ear (3a) features Nothing's signature technological codes in vibrant new colours. A wider range of ear tips means the buds sit comfortably in everyone's ears, and a new status bar lets you see everything on the case.
- Hi-Res Audio: Ear (3a) delivers stronger sound with a bigger 12 mm driver. Improved wideband Active Noise Cancellation at up to 45 dB lets you ignore the boring things, and Clear Voice Technology means you sound good on calls. On the Nothing app X, you can boost bass, treble and vocals, or use the advanced 8-band EQ.
- Wideband Active Noise Cancellation: Nothing Ear (3a) delivers up to 45dB of Active Noise Cancellation. These Bluetooth wireless earbuds recalibrate every millisecond to block a wide range of noise (up to 5000Hz) for clear audio. Switch to Transparency Mode to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the earbuds. Low Latency mode ensures lag-free gaming.
- Bluetooth 6.0 & Smart AI Features: With Bluetooth 6.0, Ear (3a) stays connected in more places than before. Easy swapping with dual-device connnections compatible with both iOS and Andoid. And with one-touch AI features like ChatGPT and Essential News, you're always ready to go without touching your phone.
- Audio Snapshot and Call Recording: Audio Snapshot and call recording let you save what you hear directly onto Ear (3a). You can record up to a minute of media or up to two hours of calls and meetings. With the Nothing X app, you can sort and transcribe using AI. With Pro Transcription, you can also identify speakers, get reminders and send quotes to your friends. Note: Call recording is available only in supported countries/regions due to local regulations. For the current list of supported countries/regions, please refer to the Product Description.
Which phone is the better fit?
- Consider the Phone (3a) if a dedicated 2× optical telephoto camera matters to you, or if its slightly larger display and higher published brightness figure are attractive. The brightness is a manufacturer claim, not a matched lab result.
- Consider the Phone (2a) if its two-camera arrangement covers your needs and the price you can actually find locally makes it better value. A same-market current price comparison is needed to determine that.
- Do not choose based on processor names or clock speeds alone. The specifications establish that the platforms differ, not which phone is faster in real-world use.
Water-resistance ratings and software support
Nothing’s international 2a page notes IP54, while its 3a page lists IP64. These are manufacturer-published ingress-protection ratings; they are not a guarantee that either phone is waterproof or suitable for deliberate submersion.
Nothing states that the 3a receives 3 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches. The retrieved official 2a material does not provide a directly comparable current commitment, so it is not possible to establish a support-period advantage from these figures alone. Software information on the 2a’s official pages may differ by page age or market.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
