# Nothing Phone 3a Pro vs. Nothing Phone 2a Plus: Is An Upgrade Justified?
The landscape of smartphone branding in 2025 has grown increasingly intricate, with designations like “Pro” and “Plus” often leading to misunderstandings. The **Nothing Phone 3a Pro** and **Nothing Phone 2a Plus** might appear to be drastically different devices, but they actually serve as the premium models in their respective lineups.
While the **Phone 2a Plus** represents a slight enhancement over the standard **Phone 2a**, the **Phone 3a Pro** offers a more substantial array of upgrades, making it a more attractive choice. But is the upgrade worthwhile? Let’s evaluate these two mid-range smartphones and discover the answer.
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## **Design and Display: Visual Variations and Enhancements**
### **Dimensions and Construction**
Both devices showcase the **Glyph Interface**, Nothing’s hallmark LED lighting feature, but their aesthetics are notably different:
– **Nothing Phone 3a Pro**: Larger dimensions of **163.52 x 77.5 x 8.39mm** and a heftier weight of **211g**.
– **Nothing Phone 2a Plus**: Slightly more compact at **161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6mm** and lighter at **190g**.
The **Phone 3a Pro** sports a **triple-camera layout** with a **prominent circular camera bump**, which some may find unattractive. In contrast, the **Phone 2a Plus** features a more conventional **dual-camera arrangement** with a smooth surface.
### **Screen**
– **Phone 3a Pro**: **6.77-inch LTPO OLED** boasting a **120Hz refresh rate**, **3000 nits peak brightness**, and **2160Hz PWM dimming** for enhanced visual comfort.
– **Phone 2a Plus**: **6.7-inch AMOLED** with a **120Hz refresh rate** and **1300 nits peak brightness**.
The **Phone 3a Pro** benefits from a superior **LTPO panel**, which facilitates smoother refresh rate transitions and enhances battery longevity. Its **higher brightness** level also makes it more suitable for use in bright conditions.
### **Strength and Longevity**
– **Phone 3a Pro**: **IP64 rating** (offering enhanced dust and water protection).
– **Phone 2a Plus**: **IP54 rating** (providing less robust safeguarding).
The **Phone 3a Pro** exhibits greater durability, providing improved defense against dust and moisture.
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## **Performance and Specifications: Power Versus Gaming**
### **Chipset and Memory**
– **Phone 3a Pro**: **Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3** with configurations of **8GB or 12GB RAM**.
– **Phone 2a Plus**: **MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G** with **12GB RAM**.
While the **Snapdragon 7s Gen 3** in the **Phone 3a Pro** is tailored for **AI functions and power efficiency**, the **Dimensity 7350 Pro** in the **Phone 2a Plus** excels in **gaming performance**. If gaming ranks high on your priority list, the **Phone 2a Plus** could be the preferable option.
### **Power and Recharging**
Both models are equipped with a **5,000mAh battery** featuring **50W wired charging**, promising extended battery life along with rapid charging capabilities.
### **Software and Future Updates**
– **Phone 3a Pro**: **Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15)**, comes with **3 years of OS updates** and **6 years of security patches**.
– **Phone 2a Plus**: **Nothing OS 2.5.4 (upgradable)** with **3 years of OS updates** and **4 years of security patches**.
The **Phone 3a Pro** is poised to receive **lengthier security updates** and includes unique AI functionalities, like **Essential Space**.
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## **Cameras: Significant Advances for the Phone 3a Pro**
### **Rear Photography Systems**
– **Phone 3a Pro**: **Triple-camera configuration**:
– **50MP primary sensor** (Samsung, f/1.88, OIS).
– **50MP periscope telephoto lens** (3x optical zoom, 6x sensor crop zoom).
– **8MP ultra-wide lens**.
– **Phone 2a Plus**: **Dual-camera configuration**:
– **50MP primary sensor** (Samsung GN9, f/1.9, OIS).
– **50MP ultra-wide lens**.
The **Phone 3a Pro** features a **periscope telephoto lens**, offering substantial improvements for **zoom photography**. If you frequently capture distant subjects, this enhancement could be a game changer.
