Nothing Phone 3a to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon, 50MP Telephoto Camera & AI Boost – Launch on March 4!

Nothing has confirmed that the Phone 3a series will feature Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, marking a shift from last year’s MediaTek-powered A-series. CEO Carl Pei highlighted improvements in camera performance and AI capabilities, with a 25% CPU and 72% NPU boost over the Phone 2a Plus. The device is expected to retain Nothing’s transparent back design with the Glyph interface. A new horizontally aligned triple-camera setup may include a 50MP telephoto lens. The Phone 3a will run Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.1. The official launch is set for March 4.

Nothing Phone 3a to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon, 50MP Telephoto Camera & AI Boost – Launch on March 4!

Nothing has officially confirmed that its upcoming Nothing Phone 3a series will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Carl Pei announced the company’s return to Qualcomm chipsets for the A-series, emphasizing improvements in camera performance and overall efficiency compared to its predecessor. The Phone 3a series is set to launch on March 4.

Last year, Nothing’s A-series devices featured MediaTek Dimensity processors, while its flagship models continued to use Qualcomm chips. With the Phone 3a, the company is shifting back to Snapdragon, promising a 25% boost in CPU performance and a 72% increase in NPU performance over the Phone 2a Plus. These enhancements are expected to enhance AI-powered features in the upcoming models.

The Phone 3a series is likely to retain Nothing’s signature transparent back design with the Glyph lighting interface. It may introduce a horizontal rear camera setup, similar to the Phone 2a but with an additional third sensor—possibly a telephoto lens. At least one variant is expected to feature a 50MP telephoto camera, alongside a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The front camera is expected to be a 32MP sensor.

Expected Specifications for Nothing Phone 3a:

• Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• Rear Camera: 50MP primary + 50MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide
• Front Camera: 32MP selfie
• Battery: 5000mAh
• OS: Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.1

Nothing has officially confirmed that its upcoming Nothing Phone 3a series will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Carl Pei announced the company’s return to Qualcomm chipsets for the A-series, emphasizing improvements in camera performance and overall efficiency compared to its predecessor. The Phone 3a series is set to launch on March 4 and is expected to bring notable upgrades in both hardware and software.

Shift Back to Qualcomm

Last year, Nothing’s A-series smartphones, including the Phone 2a, were powered by MediaTek Dimensity processors. However, the flagship Phone 2 and other premium models continued using Qualcomm chipsets. With the Phone 3a, Nothing is reverting to Snapdragon, which aligns with its strategy of offering a more balanced mix of performance and efficiency. The Snapdragon processor in the Phone 3a is expected to deliver a 25% increase in CPU performance and a 72% improvement in NPU performance over the Phone 2a Plus. These enhancements suggest that the device will have a strong focus on AI-driven features, possibly improving computational photography, voice recognition, and on-device AI capabilities.

Design & Display

The Nothing Phone 3a series is likely to maintain Nothing’s signature transparent back design with the Glyph lighting interface, which has become a defining feature of the brand. This lighting system, apart from being visually distinctive, serves functional purposes like notifications, charging indicators, and ringtones. Reports suggest that Nothing may refine the Glyph interface further, adding customizable lighting effects and better app integrations.

In terms of display, the Nothing Phone 3a is expected to feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel, offering a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. Nothing may also introduce an adaptive refresh rate, allowing the display to dynamically adjust its refresh rate based on the content being viewed, improving battery efficiency.

Camera Upgrades

Nothing appears to be making significant improvements to the camera system in the Nothing Phone 3a. Unlike previous models, the new A-series phone is rumored to have a horizontally aligned triple-camera setup. This could include:

• 50MP primary sensor – Expected to offer optical image stabilization (OIS) for better low-light photography.
• 50MP telephoto lens – A new addition to the A-series, likely offering 2x or 3x optical zoom.
• 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens – Useful for capturing landscapes and group shots.

For selfies, the Nothing Phone 3a may feature a 32MP front camera, an upgrade that would enhance portrait shots and video calls.

Battery & Software

A 5000mAh battery is expected to power the Phone 3a, supporting fast charging. While the exact charging speed hasn’t been confirmed, Nothing may introduce at least 45W wired charging, similar to the Phone 2a. Wireless charging, a feature present in Nothing’s flagship phones, might not make it to the 3a series, but the brand could introduce reverse wired charging to power accessories like earbuds.

On the software front, the Phone 3a will run Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.1. Nothing OS has been praised for its clean UI and near-stock Android experience, with a few unique features like custom widgets and exclusive Glyph integrations. The latest version is expected to bring new AI features, enhanced animations, and better customization options.

With the return to Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, camera upgrades, and improved AI capabilities, the Nothing Phone 3a looks to be a significant step up from its predecessor. As the March 4 launch approaches, more details may emerge, but early signs suggest this could be one of the most exciting mid-range smartphones of the year.