In fact, for under $500, this is arguably the best phone available, especially for those who value a unique design, a capable camera setup, and a clean software experience. If you want a well-rounded smartphone without breaking the bank, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a strong contender.

With a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel, and a new Essential Key, the Phone (3a) Pro does sound impressive on paper. But having reviewed a lot of devices over the years, and one thing is clear: numbers aren’t everything.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro is a unique-looking phone that brings an essential flagship feature to the sub-$500 category.

Nothing unveiled its 2025 mid-range phones, and the Phone 3a Pro and Phone 3a are all about camera features and an AI key.

Another peculiar trait is that the Nothing Phone 3a Pro automatically adjusts its shooting at ISO 16,620. That’s extremely high, which I understand is needed to get a brighter picture, but this results in softer details all around. Despite this, the shots are still good in my opinion.

Nothing's latest mid-rangers are raising the bar for affordable camera features, while adding new hardware button for AI tools.

Pro are here, and at first glance, they seem nearly identical. Both devices sport the signature transparent design, the flashy Glyph LED lights, and Nothing OS 3.1 running on Android 15.  They even share the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset,

Coming to cameras, the Nothing Phone (3a) adds an extra lens to the right of the horizontal setup. The Phone (3a) Pro opts for a massive camera plateau, as it houses a full-fledged L-shaped periscope lens inside. It requires more space, hence a need for a bigger camera bump and added thickness to the overall design of the phone.

The camera specifications are middling on paper, but it's the cool-looking chassis and light-up backside that always gets us.

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and Realme 14 Pro+ each excel in different areas, catering to varied photography preferences. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro stands out in daylight, selfie, and low-light photography, while the Realme 14 Pro+ delivers superior portrait shots with its telephoto camera.

The Nothing Phone (3a) has a versatile camera and solid performance at an incredible price -- and it's easily the best phone at the price.