News
Nothing OS 3.0 March Update Released for Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2)
Nothing has rolled out the latest March 2025 update for its smartphones, the Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2). This update brings security improvements, design changes, and bug fixes to enhance the user experience.
Update Details:
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Size: 96.84 MB
- Build Number: Pacman-V3.0-250304-1904-IND
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Size: 82.63 MB
- Build Number: Pong-V3.0-250304-1717-IND
What’s New in This Update?
Enhanced Security & User Experience
- Power Off Verify: A new security feature that requires a verification step before shutting down the phone when it is locked. You can enable this by going to Settings > Security and Privacy > More Security and Privacy > Power Off Verify.
- Improved Pop-Up View: The design of the title bar in the pop-up view has been updated for a cleaner and more user-friendly look.
- Latest Security Patch: The update includes the March 2025 security patch, ensuring better protection against threats.
Bug Fixes & Stability Improvements
- Better Network & Bluetooth Stability: The update enhances connectivity, making network and Bluetooth connections more stable and reliable.
- Camera Improvements: Fixes have been applied to improve overall camera performance.
- General System Stability: Several system-related bugs have been fixed, ensuring a smoother experience.
How to Update?
Users can check for the update by going to Settings > System > System Update and downloading the latest version.
Nothing has officially confirmed a major camera update for its smartphones. CEO Carl Pei recently tweeted that new camera presets are coming to older Nothing phones, along with various improvements in camera tuning.
What’s New in the Camera Update?
- New Camera Presets: Users can create and customize their own camera presets, making photography more personalized.
- Existing Camera Presets: Presets such as Soft Focus, Black & White, Wide Angle, Lenticular, and Close-Up are available in Nothing OS 3.1 on the Phone (3a) Pro.
- Better Zoom Options: More zoom levels like 0.6x, 1x, 2x, 3x, and 6x will be available in the camera app.
- Optimized Camera Interface: The layout of camera settings has been improved for easier access.
- Improved Camera Tuning: Nothing has tested new camera tuning strategies on the Nothing Phone (3a) series and may bring these improvements to older devices.
Which Phones Will Get the Update?
The update is expected to roll out for:
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (1)
- CMF Phone 1
When Will the Update Arrive?
Carl Pei mentioned that the new camera improvements will be implemented if the feedback from the Nothing Phone (3a) series is positive. The update could be included in Nothing OS 3.2, expected in April 2025.
This update aims to provide a better photography experience for Nothing phone users.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has finally arrived, and we got our hands on a review unit sent by Nothing. In this article, we will share our first impressions after using the phone for a few days.
Unboxing Experience
Nothing has always made its packaging unique, and this time is no different. The box opens from the back, revealing a sleek new design. Inside the box, you get the phone, a Type-C charging cable, a SIM ejector tool, and documentation. However, unlike previous models, the cable is no longer transparent.
New Design & Build Quality
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has a new camera bump with a triple-camera setup, including a periscope camera. The back of the phone is now glass, giving it a premium feel, unlike the previous plastic design.
Nothing has also changed the Glyph Lights, making them circular instead of vertical. The phone still features three Glyph Light sections, including a progress bar.
The device feels grippy and comfortable to hold, and at 211 grams, it has a solid build. The phone also comes with an IP64 rating, making it resistant to water splashes.
Display & Features
The phone features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2392 pixels). It supports HDR with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors, with 1300 nits HBM and 800 nits typical brightness. Instead of Gorilla Glass, Nothing has used Panda Glass, which offers similar durability, but I’m not sure about it.
A new Essential Space feature has been introduced, activated via a special button below the power key. This allows quick access to screenshots, notes, and reminders, powered by AI.
Performance & Software
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, the same as in the standard (3a) model. It comes with Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 14, with a promise of three years of major updates and six years of security updates.
In benchmark tests:
- Geekbench scores: Single-core – 1163, Multi-core – 3256
- AnTuTu score: Around 715,399
The UFS 2.2 storage could be a downside, as UFS 3.1 would have been a better choice for long-term performance.
Battery & Charging
The phone has a 5000mAh battery with 50W fast charging. A full charge takes about 56 minutes with a compatible charger. However, wireless charging is not available, which might disappoint some users.
Gaming Performance
The phone currently supports 90 FPS in BGMI, and an upcoming update might enable 120 FPS. Gaming tests showed no major frame drops, and thermals were well managed, keeping the phone cool.
Camera System
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro features a triple-camera setup:
- 50MP Primary Camera
- 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera
- 50MP Periscope Camera (3x Optical Zoom, OIS)
The periscope camera delivers clear and detailed zoom shots, especially at 3x and 6x zoom. It supports up to 60x digital zoom, though the quality degrades beyond 10x.
The camera app now includes custom presets for different photography styles, allowing users to adjust focus, exposure, and filters.
Pricing & Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is priced at:
- Rs 32,000 for 8GB RAM + 256GB storage
- Rs 33,000 for 12GB RAM + 256GB storage (with bank offers available)
Pros:
- Unique design & glass back
- Periscope camera with 3x optical zoom
- Bright AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Essential Space AI feature
Cons:
No wireless charging
UFS 2.1 storage instead of UFS 3.1 Some color inconsistency in ultra-wide and main cameras (can be fixed via updates)
Overall, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers a fresh design, great cameras, and smooth performance, making it a solid mid-range option for users who want a unique smartphone experience.
London-based tech brand Nothing has announced that its upcoming Nothing Phone (3a) series will be manufactured in India. The company aims to support India’s growing manufacturing industry, invest in the local economy, and drive innovation.
Earlier, Nothing also made its Phone (1), Phone (2), and Phone (2a) in India at a Tamil Nadu factory. The new Phone (3a) Series will be produced in Chennai, where the factory employs over 500 people, with 95% of them being women. This facility plays a big role in producing Nothing’s latest smartphones.
Nothing’s Growth in India
Nothing is growing fast in the Indian smartphone market. According to Counterpoint Research, the company saw an impressive 577% growth in 2024. This success is mainly due to the Phone (2a) series and its budget-friendly sub-brand CMF by Nothing. The company also recently announced that it has crossed $1 billion in lifetime revenue since launching in October 2020.
Better After-Sales Support & Retail Expansion
To improve customer service, Nothing is expanding its after-sales support in India. It now has five exclusive service centers and a larger network of partner service locations. The company has also expanded its retail presence from 2,000 to 7,000 stores across India.
Nothing Phone (3a) Launch Details
The Nothing Phone (3a) Series is designed in London but will be made in India. The company has already teased the transparent design of the new phone. The official launch is set for March 4th, 2024.