The IP64 rating ensures resistance to dust and splashes, though it’s not fully submersible—practical for everyday mishaps but not for poolside adventures.
A standout feature is the revamped Glyph interface: LED lights on the back that sync with notifications, timers, music, or even act as a flashlight. It’s not just gimmicky; it reduces screen time by letting you glance at alerts face-down. Then there’s the Essential Key on the right side—a programmable button for quick actions like screenshots, voice recordings (with AI transcription), or accessing the Essential Space app. This AI hub organizes photos, notes, and more, with future updates promising deeper integration. Available in black, blue, or white, the phone ships with a USB-C cable but no charger, aligning with eco-friendly trends. Overall, the build feels premium for the price, though the lack of a microSD slot means you’re locked into that 256GB storage—plenty for most, but power users might feel the pinch.
Display: Vibrant and Responsive
With a typical brightness of 800 nits and peaks up to 3,000 nits, it’s legible outdoors, though reflections can be an issue in direct sunlight.
The small punch-hole for the front camera minimizes distractions, and colors pop with 10-bit support. It’s not the sharpest in its class—pixel density hovers around 395 ppi—but for streaming Netflix or browsing social media, it’s more than adequate. Auto-brightness adjusts reliably, making it a strong contender for media consumption on a budget.
Nothing Phone 3a Performance: Punchy for the Price, with Minor Hiccups
Benchmark scores like Geekbench 6 (single-core: 1,166; multi-core: 3,287) place it solidly in mid-range territory, comparable to older flagships.
Everyday tasks are snappy, but occasional stutters when opening the app drawer or switching tabs remind you it’s not a powerhouse. Gaming fares well: Titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly at high settings and 60fps, though the back warms up slightly during extended sessions. For casual users—email, web browsing, and social media—it’s overkill in the best way. Heavy multitaskers or gamers might notice the limitations, but at this price, it’s impressive value.
The 32MP front camera handles selfies with good detail, though contrast can be aggressive. In good lighting, photos are sharp and vibrant, but colors lean warm and oversaturated—reds and yellows pop dramatically, which some will love for social media flair.
Low-light performance is average, with grain creeping in, and the ultrawide softens edges noticeably. Video tops out at 4K/30fps on the rear (with some jitter) and 1080p/60fps upfront. It’s not Pixel-level magic, but for quick snaps and casual vlogging, it delivers—especially with AI enhancements in the Essential Space for editing.
Heavy days still leave juice in the tank, and with 50W wired charging, it hits 100% in about an hour—no wireless option, though, which is a miss for convenience seekers.
It’s efficient enough that you won’t be hunting for outlets mid-day, making it ideal for commuters or travelers.
It’s intuitive for Pixel fans, with added flair like theme toggles between colorful and black-and-white modes. Nothing promises three years of OS updates and six years of security patches, which is respectable but trails behind Google’s seven-year commitment.
AI features via Essential Space—auto-transcribing notes or sorting content—are handy, with more on the horizon. Bloatware is minimal, keeping things zippy.