The perfect excuse to leave Apple behind

Consolation is sweet, but it surely can be limiting. That notion extends to smartphones, particularly in my expertise of admittedly discovering protected harbor on Apple’s shores through the years. Fortunately, the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional is a welcome shot within the arm for the mid-range smartphone house. After spending time with its sister telephone, the Nothing Telephone (3a), I wasn’t certain whether or not there could be a lot to separate the 2. But, Nothing’s extra premium providing is so nice it is sufficient to make even probably the most loyal of Apple followers change issues up.

For context, I have been leaping backwards and forwards between the lands of iOS and Android usually in terms of my telephone. Discovering myself enamored with the Huawei P30 Professional and the Honor 10 at one level, one thing at all times drew me again to the most effective iPhones ultimately. The simplicity of Apple’s working system, the multi-product ecosystem. It is all very attractive, however Nothing has been quietly build up a unbelievable world to reside in, too.

Value and availability

Equally to the Nothing Telephone (3a), the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional goals to scale back the pressure in your pockets, discovering itself among the many mid-range telephone hierarchy. Priced at $459/£449, a bounce from its predecessor’s base value of $379/£329, the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional sports activities two colorways: black and silver. In typical Nothing vogue, the machine includes a hanging design, displaying off a sturdy, clear glass again with waves, traces, and bolts to admire.

I am unable to emphasize sufficient how nice Nothing’s visible ethos is, leaving lots of the model’s rivals within the mud on this entrance. Relying in your storage wants, you’ll be able to select between a 128GB and 256GB mannequin, with both 8GB or 12GB of RAM. Getting your palms on this handset, although, may be a problem. In the UK, the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional is broadly out there at most excessive road retailers, together with the likes of Argos, John Lewis, and Curry’s.

Past this, it may be a reasonably elusive machine to seek out. On-line retailers resembling Amazon are stocking Nothing’s newest telephone, however the easiest way to at present get it in the USA is thru the model’s official web site. Nonetheless, my analysis factors to restricted 5G assist in the USA, which is a caveat to think about. If you happen to’re within the UK like me, then this is not a difficulty.

Once more, just like the Nothing Telephone (3a), US prospects are greeted with 14 days of post-purchase assist by means of the Nothing beta program. Nothing’s software program assist coverage additionally clarifies the promise of three years of Android and safety updates going ahead.

Specs

Listed below are the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional specs:

Efficiency and gaming

With the good thing about 12 GB of RAM, there’s loads of horsepower to toy round with contained in the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional. My expertise with the (3a) often got here throughout sluggish app loading instances, in-app stutters, and pauses on the house display. Whereas they had been uncommon, it was sufficient for me to note. I am joyful to report that it’s just about nonexistent with this mannequin. Except for some minor stalls after an preliminary software program replace, efficiency throughout the board is unbelievable right here.

The Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional guarantees 33% quicker CPU and 11% quicker GPU speeds, in accordance with the model itself, regardless of utilizing the identical Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 5G chip and an 8-core CPU. Collectively, this mixture handles most gaming stalwarts with relative ease. I are inclined to spend my small-screen periods in free cellular video games resembling Delta Pressure and Name of Responsibility: Cell, each of which steamroll by means of the battlefield with out a hitch. Higher but, you’ll be able to push each video games as much as the max graphically with out a lot compromise on efficiency, though it’s going to sacrifice among the (3a) Professional’s ample battery – extra on that later.

Temperature management is good as ever, too, using the 4,500mm² metal vapor chamber to dissipate warmth buildup shortly. Lots of the greatest Android telephones can get somewhat toasty, and whereas the (3a) Professional might get a tad heat throughout prolonged periods, it is by no means a trigger for concern. It actually does not attain the degrees of the Honor Magic 7 Professional and even the iPhone 16 Professional Max.

Due to that aforementioned RAM improve, the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional positions itself alongside Android greats just like the Xiaomi 15, and it reveals. It is not simply stellar gaming efficiency, both, as utilizing on a regular basis apps is painless. The standard leisure outliers like YouTube and TikTok do not falter within the face of countless scrolling, whereas the gauntlet of Google apps for work or leisure trudges on effortlessly. I usually use (3a) Professional with the RAM Booster setting engaged, benefiting from the 8 GB allocation to really get probably the most out of the machine’s energy, and I like to recommend doing the identical.

Options and software program

There’s not an excessive amount of distinction between the common and Professional variations of the Nothing Telephone 3(a), however that is not essentially a foul factor. Wearing Nothing’s personal Android 15 pores and skin, navigating the smartphone simply turns into second nature. If you happen to choose to maintain issues minimalistic, Nothing’s model of Android 15’s interface is a low-key affair, with muted colours and simplistic software logos. It matches the identical decisions as Nothing makes with its CMF Watch Professional and CMF Watch Professional 2 wearables, sustaining cohesion throughout the model.

Whereas I recognize this no-nonsense, distraction-free method, my mind itches for a splash of coloration to scratch it. In that regard, I decide to make use of the usual Android 15 theme, albeit with app names and widgets engaged. If you happen to’re migrating over from an iPhone, then this degree of customization is one thing you will recognize.

I nonetheless battle to see the complete potential of Important Area, although. That is Nothing’s new interactive method of brainstorming concepts, taking notes, and formulating plans with the app of a single button. To dismiss it as a glorified notes app is harsh, however for me, I might a lot choose to map the Important Area to different features, very similar to the iPhone 16’s motion button. Though Nothing is increasing this characteristic with future updates, it feels redundant throughout my on a regular basis utilization at present.

Design

Astounding – that is a superlative the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional design is worthy of. There is not anybody doing it fairly like Nothing proper now, a minimum of on the aesthetic aspect. Boring and off are phrases you will not discover wherever close to the (3a) and (3a) Professional, with Seventies industrialism manifesting throughout its eye-catching again. It is a depraved crossover of NASA-punk, sci-fi, and futurism, coming throughout as one thing that would not really feel misplaced in Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders or Alex Cox’s cult basic Repo Man. That bleeds into the digital camera association, an emboldened assortment of lenses evoking a way of marvel.

The Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional casts an imposing shadow at first, with its bigger type issue aping commonplace iPhone fashions or flashier Google Pixel telephones. Protected by tempered Panda glass and IP64 safety from mud and moisture, I can relaxation straightforward that the majority splashes of rain or water from washing up the dishes aren’t going to trigger it any hurt. That being mentioned, it is not the best water safety round. I nonetheless reckon the Pixel Professional 9 XL is a champ for that.

One of many first issues I do when getting a brand new telephone is hunt down equipment. Shopping for display protectors for Nothing’s new batch of handsets is not precisely straightforward, although. I’ve examined varied choices from Amazon and eBay, and lots of of them aren’t a real match. Sadly, Nothing does not provide another, so preserve that in thoughts. Instances are additionally hit or miss from third events, and Nothing nonetheless does not present one inside the field.

Show

Sticking with the 6.77-inch show, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a serving to of OLED goodness, and boy, does it shine. The power to make use of its 120Hz refresh fee is a godsend, particularly mixed with HDR10-compatible content material. Meaning streaming MobLand on Paramount Plus or watching parts of Avengers: Infinity Struggle on the prepare seems to be good. Colours pop too, however by no means really feel overly saturated, though you’ll be able to experiment with totally different coloration profiles if you want.

Direct daylight does not appear to section the show, both, and that is been a large boon whereas touring on trains or strolling round my city heart. The height brightness of three,000 nits throughout HDR video is doing the heavy lifting on that finish. For comparability, the Nothing Telephone (2a) Plus, which additionally employs a 6.77″ display, reaches a max of 1,300 nits. App animations, gestures, and basic display response are satisfying, with every keystroke of haptic suggestions tapping a gentle beat.

Fingerprint detection remains to be somewhat finicky in the event you’re susceptible to utilizing biometric app options. Regardless of this, it is undoubtedly one of many slickest shows at this value level, and a minimum of to my eye, a reduce above rivals just like the OnePlus 12R and RedMagic 10 Air.

Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional cameras

Offering the means for Instagram-worthy snaps has been within the wheelhouse of Nothing for some time, and the (3a) Professional greater than steps on top of things. Incorporating a 70mm periscope lens, not not like the identical sort you will discover within the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely or sure OnePlus telephones, pushing the 3x zoom to its limits is nothing however spectacular. Not simply because I can hone in on topics from afar, however the readability of the picture is outstanding.

Displaying nice distinction and respectable coloration copy, the (3a) Professional’s outcomes are ripe for post-processing in Lightroom or Snapseed. Two 50 MP lenses bulk up the (3a) Professional’s digital camera, providing an aperture as little as f/1.9. You’ll be able to change between 15mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, and 140mm focal lengths on the fly, the latter of which makes use of a Sony sensor on the coronary heart of it. Broad-angle lenses are at all times the wrongdoer of points, and whereas it is not terrible by any means, do not get too enthusiastic about it right here.

The 50 MP selfie digital camera will not be for everybody, a minimum of from a file-size perspective. Due to the elevated MP depend, selfies are rather more taxing in your storage than most telephones. I additionally discover the portrait mode to be somewhat too aggressive at instances. Regardless of providing you with a greater digital camera choice this time, Nothing does not transfer previous 4K 30 FPS, with 1080p 30/60 FPS stored in reserve. Positive, capturing at 4K 60 FPS is not for everybody, but it surely’s good to have that choice.

Battery

The Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional packs a 5,000mAh battery and helps 50W quick charging, giving it loads of stamina for day by day use. The fast charging characteristic is simply because it’s described, climbing from a 20% cost to a full tank inside 40 minutes. Nothing, once more, nonetheless does not embrace a charging adapter. You may want to purchase one individually to reap the complete advantages. Nonetheless, there’s a Nothing USB-C cable bundled in, which the model encourages you to make use of for the most effective outcomes.

Do you have to purchase the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional?

Whereas I believe the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional is a shocking piece of equipment, it could be exhausting to justify the leap up from its predecessor. Utilizing the identical chipset, type issue, and show, the primary upgrades listed here are the elevated RAM and refined digital camera setup. Nonetheless, I nonetheless suggest it wholeheartedly in the event you’re out there for a handset that could be a step above the finances telephone area.

Just like the Nothing Telephone (3a) earlier than it, it is a standout selection for gaming, dealing with demanding titles whereas barely breaking a sweat. Nothing’s daring, stripped-back method to design is at all times a deal with to the eyes and retains the model distinct in a market of decidedly boring picks.

Alternate options

If you happen to’re on the lookout for worthwhile options in your hunt for a brand new telephone, then these choices beneath are glorious decisions.

Google Pixel 9a

Google is among the many titans of Android smartphones, and for good motive. The Google Pixel 9a is one other stable entry into its library, slotting alongside the Nothing Telephone (3a) Professional’s mid-range value. You will not see Nothing’s distinctive pores and skin of Android 15 right here, however the Pixel 9a is a modern, no-thrills method to smartphones. It is highly effective sufficient for many cellular video games, has a fantastic digital camera, and will not break the financial institution.

iPhone 16e

Need an iPhone however aren’t bothered in regards to the Max or commonplace mannequin? That is the place the iPhone 16e is available in. Much like Apple’s SE fashions, this iteration of the favored flagship comes geared up with Apple Intelligence and entry to all of the Apple Arcade Video games out there, whereas providing a good quantity of energy beneath the hood. Its singular digital camera is respectable, however you would possibly end up hoping for one thing extra.