Should You Upgrade from the Nothing Phone (2a) to the Nothing Phone (3a)?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the Nothing Phone (2a) to the Nothing Phone (3a), 1 year apart.
Yes — the Nothing Phone (3a) is a worthwhile upgrade
The Nothing Phone (3a) is 1 year newer than the Nothing Phone (2a), and the BeastScore rises from 85.4 to 86.0. The biggest improvements: camera rated 3 points higher, display rated 4 points higher, 5w faster wired charging. Trade-offs to know: 11 g heavier, launched $30 more expensive.
What you gain with the Nothing Phone (3a)
- +Camera rated 3 points higher
- +Display rated 4 points higher
- +5W faster wired charging
- +0.1" larger screen
- +1,700 nits brighter peak display
What you give up
- −11 g heavier
- −Launched $30 more expensive
| Spec | Nothing Phone (2a) | Nothing Phone (3a) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 85.4 | 86.0 | No real change |
| Performance score | 80 | 80 | No real change |
| Camera score | 88 | 91 | +3 (3%) |
| Battery score | 86 | 86 | No real change |
| Display score | 86 | 90 | +4 (5%) |
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | No real change |
| Wired charging | 45W | 50W | +5W (11%) |
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.8" | +0.1" |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,300 nits | 3,000 nits | +1,700 nits (131%) |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 190 g | 201 g | +11 g (6%) |
| Launch price | $349 | $379 | +$30 (9%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
Nothing Phone (2a) vs Nothing Phone (3a): Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the Nothing Phone (2a) to the Nothing Phone (3a)?
Yes — the Nothing Phone (3a) is a worthwhile upgrade. The Nothing Phone (3a) is 1 year newer than the Nothing Phone (2a), and the BeastScore rises from 85.4 to 86.0. The biggest improvements: camera rated 3 points higher, display rated 4 points higher, 5w faster wired charging. Trade-offs to know: 11 g heavier, launched $30 more expensive.
What is the biggest difference between the Nothing Phone (2a) and Nothing Phone (3a)?
Camera rated 3 points higher: 88 on the Nothing Phone (2a) vs 91 on the Nothing Phone (3a).
Does the Nothing Phone (3a) have a bigger battery than the Nothing Phone (2a)?
No — both have about the same battery capacity (5,000 mAh vs 5,000 mAh).
Who should upgrade to the Nothing Phone (3a)?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; Photo quality is a priority for you; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.