Comparing the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro, it's apparent that the standard edition outperforms its Pro counterpart this round.
The Nothing Phone 3a and its more expensive sibling, the Phone 3a Pro, have been making waves in the tech world. Both devices share similarities, but there are some key differences that may influence your decision.
Design and Durability
The Phone 3a Pro boasts a more premium feel, with an aluminium body and IP68 water and dust resistance, compared to the polycarbonate body and IP64 rating of the Phone 3a. This upgrade offers improved durability for the Pro model.
Display
Both phones feature AMOLED displays and a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the Phone 3a Pro offers a slightly larger 6.77-inch screen with a maximum brightness of 3000 nits, making it a step above the Phone 3a in terms of display quality.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and come with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Phone 3a Pro, however, benefits from slightly better internal specs, such as supporting eSIM, suggesting better future-proofing for some users.
Camera
The main camera performance is where the two devices differ most. The regular Phone 3a brings more AI-based enhancements and punches up the colours, while the Pro sticks to a more natural tone.
The Phone 3a Pro offers a more advanced 50MP rear camera with a periscope lens and up to 60x zoom, while the Phone 3a has a 50MP rear camera with 30x zoom. In zoomed shots, the Pro captures sharper details and benefits from optical image stabilisation (OIS), while the standard Phone 3a struggles a bit while zooming.
In low-light conditions, the Pro takes the lead when zooming into darker scenes. Selfies are also better on the Pro, with more detail and a natural skin tone. In portraits, the Pro captures slightly more detail and dynamic range compared to the regular 3a.
Battery Life
The Phone 3a offers better battery life, delivering 12 hours and 2 minutes in mixed-use testing, compared to the Phone 3a Pro's 11 hours and 17 minutes.
Price
The Phone 3a Pro is more expensive than the standard Phone 3a by ₹5000. If you value a better camera especially with zoom capability, improved build quality, and slightly better performance features like eSIM, spending the additional Rs 5,000 on the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is justified. However, if these features are not critical for your use, the Phone 3a remains a solid, more affordable option.
In conclusion, the choice between the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro depends on your priorities. If you prefer a quieter design, value a more affordable price, and do not need advanced camera features, the standard Phone 3a might be a more suitable option. On the other hand, if you prioritise a better camera, improved build quality, and slightly better performance, the Phone 3a Pro is worth the additional investment.
- The Nothing Phone 3a Pro, in addition to its more premium design and IP68 water and dust resistance, also boasts a 50MP rear camera with a periscope lens and up to 60x zoom, offering advanced camera capabilities.
- While the standard Nothing Phone 3a delivers a longer battery life of 12 hours and 2 minutes in mixed-use testing, the more expensive Phone 3a Pro comes with a price tag that is ₹5000 higher, reflecting its enhanced features like a better camera, improved build quality, and slightly better performance.
