Hey Guys,
I hope you all are doing well, Today I’m sharing my Unboxing Experience & First Impression of Nothing Phone (3a). Special thanks to the nothing community for giving me the opportunity to review & experiencing Phone (3a).
• Unboxing Experience:
The Nothing Phone (3a) arrives in a bold black box its color shifting subtly depending on the variant you’ve chosen. The front design cleverly echoes the phone’s camera layout, a minimal sketch that gives just enough away without revealing too much. Flip it over, and you’ll find the usual essentials printed at the back, staying true to Nothing’s understated style.
• Box Contents:
Inside the box, there’s a crisp white sleeve, almost like a hidden chapter. It opens with the satisfying feel of a hardcover book, inviting you in. On the inside, a simple yet welcome message is printed: “Welcome to Nothing.”
Inside the box, the essentials are neatly tucked away each one with a bit of Nothing’s signature touch. You’ll find a USB Type-C to C cable, with the Nothing logo etched on both ends a small detail, but one that adds to the brand’s clean, cohesive vibe.
There’s also a transparent SIM ejector tool, and honestly, it’s cooler than it has any right to be. Unlike the usual generic pin, this one feels like a tiny design piece.
The Phone (3a) comes with a screen protector already applied, so you’re good to go straight out of the box. And finally, a safety card is included, keeping things simple and minimal, just like the rest of the experience.
• First Look:
At first glance, the Nothing Phone (3a) makes a strong impression. The design is clean, bold, and full of character exactly what you’d expect from Nothing. I got the the black variant, which looks sleek and stealthy, though I’ll admit, the white version has a certain charm that’s hard to ignore.
The AMOLED display is a treat crisp, vibrant, and easy on the eyes. It handles colors and contrast beautifully, and the touch response feels incredibly smooth, making everything from swiping to scrolling feel effortless. If I had to nitpick, I’d say the bezels could’ve been just a bit slimmer. It’s not a dealbreaker, but a thinner frame would’ve really elevated the overall look.
• Ports & Buttons:
Taking a closer look at the frame, the Nothing Phone (3a) keeps things functional yet thoughtfully laid out. On the bottom, you’ll find a USB Type-C port (USB 2.0), the SIM card tray (no eSIM support here) and the primary microphone, all lined up cleanly. The top houses a secondary mic, helping with noise cancellation during calls and recordings.
The stereo speaker setup is a nice touch, with one speaker at the bottom and the other cleverly integrated into the earpiece, giving you balanced sound whether you’re watching videos or gaming.
On the sides, it’s all about symmetry and ease of use. The left edge holds the volume buttons, while the right side features the power button paired with Nothing’s Essential Key a very useful to save something in essential space. Everything feels solid, well-placed, and comfortable in hand.
• Design:
Nothing’s iconic transparent design continues to steal the spotlight and honestly, it lives up to the hype. It’s bold, different, and refreshingly futuristic. This is my first time trying a Nothing phone, and I’ll admit, I used to think the Glyph lights were just flashy gimmicks cool to look at, but probably not all that useful. I mean, lights on the back? Come on.
But after spending some time with it, I’ve totally changed my mind. The Glyph Interface has genuinely improved it’s not just about aesthetics anymore. It’s smart, subtle, and actually helpful. Whether it’s for reminders, notifications, or even tracking quick deliveries, the lights give you quick, glanceable info without needing to flip the phone over. It’s one of those features you don’t know you’ll appreciate until you use it.
• NothingOS:
Nothing OS 3.1 brings a refreshing experience that’s both smooth and deeply customizable. From the moment you start using it, everything feels fluid and thoughtfully designed. The homescreen and lockscreen support Nothing’s signature widgets right out of the box clean, minimal, and perfectly in sync with the phone’s overall aesthetic.
The control panel borrows from stock Android but takes it a step further. It’s more functional, more refined, and even lets you resize toggles to match your usage style which is such a practical touch.
What really surprised me, though, are the default Nothing apps. Usually, first-party apps are forgettable, but here? They’re genuinely impressive. Sleek, snappy, and beautifully integrated, I actually enjoy using them. Big thumbs up to the team for that!
One of my favorite things about Nothing OS is just how much freedom it gives you when it comes to customization. From app icons to folders to widgets—everything feels playful, personal, and still incredibly clean. It’s not just about making your phone look good; it’s about making it yours. There’s a real sense of fun in exploring all the little tweaks you can make.
And here’s something I really loved: the same widgets you use on the lockscreen also carry over to the Always-on Display (AOD). It’s such a small detail, but it makes the AOD feel more alive and functional, not just a static screen.
Also, shoutout to the wallpapers Nothing cooked up especially the ones with Atmosphere and Glass effects. They add a subtle depth and motion to the home screen, blending beautifully with the rest of the UI. It’s all these little touches that make Nothing OS feel like more than just a skin it feels like an experience.
• Conclusion:
Overall, the Nothing Phone (3a) really stands out as an impressive device in its segment. Sure, it comes with UFS 2.2 storage, which might sound modest on paper, but the performance feels good. Everything runs smoothly, thanks to how well-optimized the system is. What truly sets it apart, though, is the attention to detail there’s a level of polish in every touch, every transition & animation that I’ve only experienced with Nothing OS so far.
I’ll be diving deeper into the experience soon, with a full take on Nothing OS, the camera performance, battery life, charging speed, and more. So stay tuned, there’s a lot more to come.
Thank you,
Ishan Wankhade 🙂
