This blog is special for me because it talks about two first-time experiences — my first flight journey and my first Nothing Community Edition drop event. The event was for the Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition, held in Bangalore.
Let me take you through the full experience.
Reaching the Airport Early
I reached the airport very early in the morning. My flight was scheduled for 10:00 AM, but I arrived around 5:00 AM so that I wouldn’t rush or miss anything. Since this was my first flight, I wanted to do everything calmly.
I was at Terminal 2, and I decided to use Digi Yatra for entry. The boarding pass was generated smoothly on my phone, but I also took a printed copy. Honestly, it felt like a memory worth keeping — first flight, first boarding pass.
I didn’t have any check-in luggage, just a backpack, so the process was simple.
Security Check & Waiting Time
After security checking, I reached the gate area. There was still plenty of time before boarding, so I sat there, had some coffee, and relaxed.
I was traveling with Abhishek Lakhani, the creator of the Glyph Toybox app. We talked about Nothing, the community, and the upcoming drop event. The excitement was real because this wasn’t a regular launch — it was a Community Edition drop, which is always special.
Boarding the Flight – First-Time Feelings
Finally, boarding started. My seat was towards the last rows of the plane. Even though it was the tail section, the experience was still amazing.
There was no fear, no nervousness — just excitement. Takeoff was smooth, and honestly, the first flight experience feels special no matter where you sit.
Landing in Bangalore
After a smooth journey, we landed in Bangalore. From the airport, it was about 37km of highway drive, followed by some city traffic. Since it was a Saturday, traffic was manageable.
We arrived at the 33&Brew event location after some time and joined the line for the Nothing Phone (3A) Community Edition Drop.
Inside the Nothing Community Edition Drop Event
The setup inside was clean and well-organized. The event took some time to start, but there were refreshments available — both veg and non-veg options.
Once inside, the main session began. The highlight was meeting Sushruta, whose marketing campaign idea was selected from 700+ entries. Hearing his journey and thoughts was inspiring, especially how he kept trying even after not being selected earlier.
Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition – First Look
At the event, we finally got to see the Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition up close.
Here’s what stood out:
- Pink Essential Key (exclusive to this edition)
- Silver power button
- Black volume buttons
- White frame with a translucent back
- Internal design elements with pink and yellow accents
- “Phone (3a)” branding with model details
- Slightly softer Glyph lighting due to the translucent design
This phone is limited to only 1000 units, making it truly special.
Exclusive Software Touches
The Community Edition also comes with:
- New animated lockscreen clock
- Four exclusive wallpapers
- A fresh overall visual identity matching the hardware
These small details really make the phone feel different from the regular version.
Event Goodies & Accessories
At the drop, we also received some Nothing merchandise and accessories, including stickers and a special dice accessory that comes with the phone. The packaging and quality felt premium and thoughtfully designed.
Wrapping Up & Heading Back
Due to time constraints and the event schedule, I couldn’t record everything in detail. But I did capture photos and a few clips, which I’ll be sharing separately.
After the event, we headed back to the airport. Bangalore airport looks modern and beautiful, especially at night.
Finally, I landed back in Mumbai and then traveled home. It was a long journey with almost no sleep, but completely worth it.
Final Thoughts
This trip wasn’t just about a phone or an event.
- First flight experience
- Nothing Community Edition Drop
- Meeting creators and community members
The Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition truly feels like a special product, not just because it’s limited, but because it’s built with community involvement.
