PROS: Solid all-rounder performance Distinctive and playful design Strong sustainability effortCONS: Still no wireless charging Camera design is a bit divisive 8MP ultra-wide camera is mediocreRATINGS:AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:A well-designed phone with a commanding presence, reliable features, and a heart for the planet, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is the solid all-rounder you'd want to always be by your side.Smartphone manufacturers have thankfully started to pay closer attention to the value of design in their products. Its no longer enough for these devices to be a the top of their game in terms of performance, they also need to be pleasing to look at and a pleasure to hold. Many smartphones have even adopted more stylish and elegant aesthetics, turning a communication and computing device into a lifestyle choice and an extension of ones personality.That said, it also seems that smartphones have lost the spirit of fun and individuality, with most of the signs exuding serious, business-minded personalities. After all, adjectives like fun and playful are more associated with kids than the grownups who use these phones as if they are mutually exclusive. Trying to make tech fun again, Nothing has been designing phones that tickle the mind and challenge the status quo. The new Phone (3a) Pro is the latest to promise improvements across the board, from design to performance, so we take it for a spin to see if Nothing really amounts to everything.Designer: NothingAestheticsWhen Nothing first came to the scene, there were rumors of the young brand adopting a bold take on phone design, specifically using transparent designs that would let you see the tech that makes these devices work their magic. What came out wasnt exactly as expected but was no less groundbreaking. Nothing introduced a design that indeed espoused transparency, both literally and figuratively, while still maintaining a strong design that could appeal to more than the tech-loving crowd.The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro carries on that tradition but makes a few bold changes here and there. The most telling, and probably the most controversial, is the redesigned camera bump. To make room for the new periscope telephoto camera, Nothing shifted the other cameras around, creating a composition that is, for lack of a better word, chaotic. Some have even likened the circular enclosure to a soda can lid, albeit one with holes punched in seemingly random places.If you look closer, however, you will notice a pattern of concentric circles in the camera island. In a way, its reminiscent of Zen gardens with their raked sand patterns and the camera lenses standing in for stones. This gives the Phone (3a) Pro a very distinctive look that easily separates it not only from other smartphones but also from its sibling, the Phone (3a) which sticks to last-gens horizontal layout.Another significant change is, for better or worse, invisible to the naked eye. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro swaps out its polycarbonate panel for one made of glass, adding not only durability but also a sense of sophistication. Along with Nothings iconic Glyph Interface and unique transparent flavor, the Phone (3a) Pros unique design makes it stand out easily and gives the phone a more memorable presence.ErgonomicsNothings change in materials affects more than just the appearance of the Phone (3a) Pro. It also changes the in-hand feel of the device, not to mention the comfort and confidence that it gives. Glass is a material that is a bit ambiguous depending on whos holding it. It is both slippery and sticky, depending on who you ask and depending on the texture of the glass.Fortunately, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro isnt affected by this for one simple reason. The material used for the sides of the phone has a matte texture that makes it easy to grip. Together with the flat edges, the ergonomics of the Phone (3a) Pro is quite good, and the large circle in the middle helps balance the phone while providing a convenient place to rest your index finger when holding it. This balance is also present when the phone is placed on a table, preventing it from wobbling no matter how much you poke at the screen.PerformanceIn terms of raw power, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a bit of a mixed bag. If youve been following the brand since its inception, youre probably aware that the a in the model name marks it as a mid-range device. That doesnt mean its a letdown, just that you need to set your expectations right. In fact, on its tier, it has quite an impressive performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 squeezes out every bit of power it can to meet the demands of modern users, especially when it comes to gaming and especially AI-powered experiences. It wont be on par with premium flagships, of course, but those also cost twice or even thrice the Phone (3a) Pro.Given the focus on cameras and AI, its almost too easy to forget that much of what we experience on smartphones is shaped by their displays. Thankfully, the Phone (3a) Pro doesnt disappoint in that department, with a large 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display that is bright and vibrant, even under sunlight. The fluid 120Hz refresh rate adjusts to your need for smooth animations and the phones need to preserve power, depending on the context. HDR cranks up the brightness even higher, and Ultra HDR support makes videos really pop up.With a 5000 mAh battery, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro meets the needs of demanding users. Fast 50W charging helps reduce the downtime to less than an hour so that you can be up and running in a snap. Unfortunately, were still missing wireless charging, a feature thats becoming more common even on this tier. Nothing is perhaps using that as one of the defining features of its flagship models.The camera system is one of the areas where Nothing really took things up a notch, at least compared to last years design. Theres a newcomer in town in the form of a 50MP Sony telephoto camera with a periscope-style lens. This delivers excellent 3x optical zoom quality and 6x lossless in-sensor magnification, while also adding telemacro capability that lets you get as close as 15cm from a subject.Although the 50MP main camera sounds the same on paper, there are subtle differences that improve its performance, namely its ability to capture more light on the pixel level, resulting in greater dynamic range and less noise. Unfortunately, the ultra-wide shooter has now been downgraded to a measly 8MP sensor, which makes the output serviceable but less than impressive compared to the other two.All in all, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro takes very decent photos, at least if you ignore the ultra-wide aspect. Its not the best in its class, but its definitely among the top contenders. At the very least, it keeps the phone competitive, especially if you consider all its other features, which naturally include AI-assisted functionality like Essential Space for organizing notes and ideas.SustainabilityNothings commitment to transparency goes beyond design and extends to the way it does business and manufactures products. As such, it is one of the players in the mobile market that takes strong steps to ensure that its products and processes reduce their harm to the environment. For the Phone (3a) Pro, it boasts the use of 100% recycled aluminum for the mid-frame and 100% recycled tin for six circuit boards. For the times that it has to use plastic parts, it makes sure that they are sourced sustainably.Additionally, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is made to last, especially compared to its predecessors. It now possesses an IP64 dust and water resistance rating, improving its durability and survivability over the course of years. One slight disappointment is the promise of only 3 years of Android updates, which probably includes Android 16 later this year. That means youll only get up to Android 18 in 2027 unless Nothing considers this years update as a freebie.ValueWith more players, more designs, and more variety, the mid-tier smartphone market can be an exciting and confusing one. While high-end premium phones seem to follow a fixed formula year after year, there are quite a number of potential combinations of features and price points for mid-range products. In this arena, however, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro definitely stands out, and not just because of its unique aesthetic.The Phone (3a) Pro is quite a head-turner and a conversation starter with its new camera design, highlighted by the brands now-famous Glyph Interface, but its beauty goes a lot deeper. It offers a solid set of features, including AI-powered ones, designed to meet the demands of modern users and their varied lifestyles. Yes, the 8MP ultra-wide camera is a bit of a disappointment and the lack of wireless charging might give some pause for thought. But at $459 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, you really cant go wrong with this reliable all-rounder.VerdictSmartphone manufacturers sometimes resort to gimmicks and outlandish designs just to catch attention. More often than not, however, theyre just superficial makeup to cover the flaws that lie deep within. With its Glyph lights and its new camera design, you might think that the Nothing Phone (3a) is one of those. This is one such instance where youre invited to look a little deeper and not judge a book by its cover.It almost has it all: a memorable design, solid performance across the board, and a juicy price tag. Its far from perfect, nor will it ever rub shoulders with the upper echelons of the smartphone market. But if youre looking for a well-designed phone with a commanding presence, reliable features, and a heart for the planet, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is definitely the phone to beat.The post Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Review: Better, Brighter, and More Fun first appeared on Yanko Design.