The Phone (3a) and its Pro variant launched on March 4, 2025, powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip. Both models share a 6.77-inch AMOLED display running at 120Hz, a 5000mAh battery, and storage options of either 128GB or 256GB. The primary hardware distinction lies in the camera system; the Pro model includes a periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, while the standard version uses a standard telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom. These devices shipped with Nothing OS 3.0 based on Android 15, but they received a significant software update on October 24, 2025. This update, known as Nothing OS 4.0, brought the interface to Android 16 and introduced refined UI elements such as "Extra Dark Mode" and an enhanced "Pop-up View" for multitasking. It also added "Lock Glimpse" for dynamic wallpapers and upgraded the camera apps with the TrueLens Engine. I view this late-October refresh as the final major software milestone for the 3a series before the company shifts focus entirely to newer hardware generations.
Software support extends into 2026
Nothing announced Nothing OS 5.0 on August 25, 2026, confirming that the Phone (3a) series remains eligible for the next major operating system update. The open beta began on August 26, 2026, initially targeting the Phone 3, with the 3a series scheduled to receive the build later in the rollout cycle. This inclusion is critical because it ensures the device stays current with the latest security patches and feature sets from Google. The Essential Space AI tool, which debuted with the 3a launch, continues to function as a "second memory" for organizing screenshots and voice notes via the dedicated Essential Key. While the hardware is now two years old, the software roadmap shows no signs of early abandonment. The company has maintained a consistent update cadence, moving from OS 3.0 to 4.0 within eight months of launch. For users who bought the phone at launch, this means another full year of major updates is guaranteed. I consider this support window acceptable for a mid-range device, though it falls short of the multi-year promises made by some larger manufacturers.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Camera (Pro) | Periscope telephoto, 3x optical zoom |
| Camera (Standard) | Standard telephoto, 2x optical zoom |
| Latest OS | Nothing OS 4.0 (Android 16) |
| Next OS | Nothing OS 5.0 (Announced Aug 2026) |
The arrival of the Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro in March 2026 signals that the 3a is now the previous generation. However, the release of the Phone (4b) in July 2026 further complicates the lineup, creating a crowded market for mid-range buyers. I would skip buying a new 3a today given the availability of the 4a series, but existing owners should hold onto their devices until the OS 5.0 stable release. The question of whether the 3a will receive a fifth major update beyond OS 5.0 remains unanswered.
