UK-based consumer tech startup Nothing has launched its new Phone (3a) smartphone, aiming to shake off the perception of a stagnant mobile industry. The device boasts an unusual design featuring multiple shapes and “Glyph” lights on the back that light up to preset ringtones and notification sound effects.
The Phone (3a) starts at £329 ($414), while its premium version, Phone (3a) Pro, begins at £449. This budget-friendly approach is part of Nothing’s strategy to bring a touch of warmth back to consumer tech products. The company was founded in 2020 by Carl Pei, a co-founder of OnePlus, with the goal of disrupting the smartphone market.
Nothing’s move has been welcomed by analyst Ben Wood, who praises the brand for trying to differentiate itself from other smartphones. “You have to stand out from the crowd” in the affordable segment, Wood notes. The Phone (3a) features a triple camera system and ships with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor.
While the phone’s design is unique, it also shares similarities with existing devices on the market. Unit sales expectations for the Phone (3a) are relatively modest, with hundreds of thousands of units considered a success. Nothing, however, aims to be extremely price competitive in the Indian market, where it has already seen significant growth.
The company’s co-founder Akis Evangelidis plans to lead operations in India later this year, and the pricier Phone (3a) Pro model will not be available for orders in the country. With a strong online presence and cumulative revenue over $1 billion in 2024, Nothing looks set to make a mark on the global smartphone market.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/nothing-phone-3a-specs-price-availability.html