Hardwired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into all issues {hardware}, together with telephones, audio merchandise, storage servers, and networking gear.
Once I reviewed the Telephone 2a final yr, I known as it the most effective funds cellphone of the yr. In 2025, the Telephone 3a Professional is carrying that mantle. Nothing’s newest cellphone retains an analogous basis as its predecessor, so that you get an fascinating design on the again, clear software program with helpful extras, good customizability, well timed software program updates, and nice cameras.
Apparently, the 3a Professional will get a 50MP telephoto lens, giving it a definite benefit over the 2a. Nothing converted to Qualcomm silicon as soon as once more, and that is an excellent factor — the cellphone has a lot better efficiency in gaming and every day use versus the 2a and 2a Plus.
I used the Telephone 3a Professional for simply over every week now, and I am satisfied that that is the one funds cellphone price shopping for in India. I just like the POCO X7 Professional as properly, however the software program on that machine is not wherever pretty much as good, and it would not fairly have the identical design aptitude.
A design that shines — actually
The Telephone 3a Professional’s design is divisive — Nothing admitted as a lot throughout the briefing. The cellphone nonetheless has a singular see-through sample on the again, however the digital camera island has a rounded design and is considerably larger than final yr.
That is right down to the inclusion of the brand new tele lens, and whereas there are detractors to the design, I prefer it; the economic design makes the cellphone stand out, and whereas the digital camera island may have appeared higher, it’s quirky — and I take pleasure in that in a cellphone. The digital camera island juts out significantly, however as a result of it is stretched throughout almost the whole width on the again, there’s no wobble when utilizing the Telephone 3a Professional on a desk.
Nothing went with a glass again this time, noting that whereas the plastic again on the Telephone 2a made the machine lighter, it was liable to scratching. Nothing says its userbase wished a glass again, so it catered to that demand. The glass is protected by a customized answer, and it’s efficient in opposition to tumbles.
Additionally, the Telephone 3a Professional seems a lot better in actual life than the product renders would recommend, so in case you’re uncertain in regards to the machine solely based mostly on the design, I might suggest going to a retailer and making an attempt it out; Nothing sells the machine through choose large model retail shops in India.
After all, the LEDs on the again proceed to be a serious differentiator, and I like how this function has developed over the past two years. The three lighting zones do not cowl a lot space — not like the Telephone 2 — however they’re simply as customizable. I am utilizing the gray coloration variant of the machine, and whereas it is not fairly as placing because the blue mannequin, it does a superb job accentuating the design.
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What I like in regards to the Telephone 3a Professional is that it has an aluminum mid-frame with matte sides. This makes holding and utilizing the cellphone that a lot simpler, and it creates a a lot better in-hand really feel. I am nonetheless not a fan of the flat sides although, however Nothing is not less than constant on this regard. The cellphone has IP64 ingress safety, and Nothing says whereas it did not get the Telephone 3a Professional examined for IP65 or IP67, it ought to climate immersion in water — however and not using a ranking, you lose any guarantee because of water harm in case you strive.
All of the {hardware} you want
The Telephone 3a Professional has a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel, and identical to its predecessor, it has ultra-thin bezels on all sides. It is a minor level, however it’s yet one more space the place Nothing’s consideration to element makes the machine stand out, and it is good to see the model offering the identical high quality on its funds telephones as its flagship.
Anyway, the panel has good colours and distinction, and the notable change this yr is that it will get a lot brighter than the Telephone 2a — this was instantly evident when utilizing the machine outdoor. I did not see any points whereas gaming or streaming media, and though the Telephone 3a Professional would not fairly have the identical degree of efficiency as a high-end machine, it holds up extremely properly contemplating it is a funds cellphone. Thermals are dealt with a lot better, and it makes a noticeable distinction in prolonged gaming classes.
The remainder of the {hardware} is fairly commonplace; there’s good connectivity, an honest vibration motor, and because of a 5000mAh battery, the cellphone lasts a day with none points in any respect. The 50W charging tech means it takes simply an hour to cost the Telephone 3a Professional, and whereas it is annoying that you simply nonetheless do not get a charger within the field, it depends on the USB PD protocol, so you should use any charger with the machine.
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I loved utilizing the cameras on the Telephone 2a final yr, and that is an space the place the Telephone 3a Professional brings appreciable upgrades. The 50MP Samsung GNJ foremost digital camera takes higher photos in low-light conditions, and the brand new 50MP Sony LYT-600 tele lens is improbable; it takes clear pictures at 3x, and also you get usable pictures at as much as 10x. Annoyingly, video is proscribed to 4K30, and you aren’t getting 4K60 recording on the machine. Video recording itself is fairly common, however that is the case with most funds gadgets.
Important software program
A giant a part of the attract with Nothing’s telephones is the software program. There simply aren’t sufficient funds telephones with clear software program, so Nothing’s focus on this space is refreshing. The interface continues to be simply as clear as earlier years, and Nothing OS 3.1 has loads of customizability. Nothing has a slate of unique widgets on its gadgets, and so they mix nice design with usability.
The Android 15-based interface is fluid, and I take pleasure in utilizing it fairly a bit. Whereas it is not what I might name vanilla Android, there is a distinct visible fashion, and in contrast to most different skins, the design would not really feel cumbersome within the least. It is simply pleasurable to make use of, and Nothing OS 3.1 continues to me considered one of my favourite Android interfaces.
An fascinating addition this yr is a button beneath the ability button. That is to invoke Important House, a shelf that organizes all of your screenshots, to-do lists, notes, voice memos, photos, and extra. A single press of the button permits you to jot down a observe, a protracted press permits you to dictate a voice memo, and a double press launches the shelf. It is likely one of the greatest options on the Telephone 3a Professional, and whereas it is nonetheless in its infancy — Nothing has formidable plans for the function — it is clear that it has nice potential.
Nothing says Important House will likely be a differentiator on the Telephone 3 that is slated to launch someday later this yr, but it surely did not wish to restrict the mode to its flagship, so its debuting on the Telephone 3a and 3a Professional. That is nice to see, and truthfully, it makes me query why different Android manufacturers did not provide you with one thing related till now.
Nothing comes shut
The Telephone 3a Professional prices ₹30,999 ($356) in India for the 8GB/128GB version, and I do know calling it a funds cellphone is doubtful, however that is the place the business is headed. Telephone costs are steadily on the rise, and first rate funds telephones price almost double what they used to only a few years in the past.
That mentioned, these telephones have higher {hardware}, elegant designs, and considerably higher cameras. The Telephone 3a Professional specifically proves that funds telephones might be cool too, and the mixture of distinctive design, clear software program, and nice cameras on the again make it your best option on this class. There is not one other machine that offers you fairly as many options, and it is no surprise that Nothing is aggressively promoting the Telephone 3a Professional in India — it is aware of it is onto one thing nice.
With an fascinating design, nice cameras, clear software program, and an excellent total worth, the Telephone 3a Professional is the most effective funds cellphone you should buy right now.
