How do you stand out from a lot of competition when building a new smartphone brand, especially when one of them is the previous company you co-founded? This was the challenge facing Nothing when it was formed,

The Nothing Phone (3a) has a versatile camera and solid performance at an incredible price -- and it's easily the best phone at the price.

We got to see the new Nothing phones before MWC ended. With flashing lights, handy new AI-based tools and an approachable price, Nothing's new phones have a lot to offer.

As the phones launch to buyers, Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are getting their first update with a new "Camera Presets" feature.

In fact, for under $500, this is arguably the best phone available, especially for those who value a unique design, a capable camera setup, and a clean software experience. If you want a well-rounded smartphone without breaking the bank, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a strong contender.

I am in love with the new Nothing Phone 3a and Nothing Phone 3a Pro. However, the thing Nothing wants me to love the most I could do without.

As the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro go on sale, the phones received a variety of both basic and AI-related updates

Another peculiar trait is that the Nothing Phone 3a Pro automatically adjusts its shooting at ISO 16,620. That’s extremely high, which I understand is needed to get a brighter picture, but this results in softer details all around. Despite this, the shots are still good in my opinion.

The camera specifications are middling on paper, but it's the cool-looking chassis and light-up backside that always gets us.

Pro are here, and at first glance, they seem nearly identical. Both devices sport the signature transparent design, the flashy Glyph LED lights, and Nothing OS 3.1 running on Android 15.  They even share the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset,

The Nothing Phone 3a is a good budget Android phone for anyone just looking for a large, responsive screen and killer battery life.