The easiest excuse to go away Apple in the back of

Convenience is good, however it will also be proscribing. That perception extends to smartphones, particularly in my revel in of admittedly discovering secure harbor on Apple’s shores over time. Fortuitously, the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional is a welcome shot within the arm for the mid-range smartphone house. After spending time with its sister telephone, the Not anything Telephone (3a), I wasn’t certain whether or not there can be a lot to split the 2. But, Not anything’s extra top rate providing is so nice it is sufficient to make even probably the most unswerving of Apple enthusiasts transfer issues up.

For context, I have been leaping backward and forward between the lands of iOS and Android ceaselessly in terms of my telephone. Discovering myself enamored with the Huawei P30 Professional and the Honor 10 at one level, one thing at all times drew me again to the absolute best iPhones one day. The simplicity of Apple’s working device, the multi-product ecosystem. It is all very attractive, however Not anything has been quietly increase an out of this world international to reside in, too.

Worth and availability

In a similar way to the Not anything Telephone (3a), the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional goals to scale back the stress to your pockets, discovering itself some of the mid-range telephone hierarchy. Priced at $459/£449, a leap from its predecessor’s base worth of $379/£329, the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional sports activities two colorways: black and silver. In standard Not anything style, the tool includes a placing design, appearing off a robust, clear glass again with waves, traces, and bolts to appreciate.

I will’t emphasize sufficient how nice Not anything’s visible ethos is, leaving lots of the emblem’s opponents within the mud in this entrance. Relying to your garage wishes, you’ll be able to make a choice from a 128GB and 256GB type, with both 8GB or 12GB of RAM. Getting your palms in this handset, even though, may well be a problem. In the UK, the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional is extensively to be had at maximum top boulevard outlets, together with the likes of Argos, John Lewis, and Curry’s.

Past this, it may be a quite elusive tool to search out. On-line outlets akin to Amazon are stocking Not anything’s newest telephone, however one of the best ways to recently get it in america is in the course of the emblem’s reputable web site. Alternatively, my analysis issues to restricted 5G reinforce in america, which is a caveat to believe. If you are in the United Kingdom like me, then this is not a subject.

Once more, just like the Not anything Telephone (3a), US consumers are greeted with 14 days of post-purchase reinforce in the course of the Not anything beta program. Not anything’s instrument reinforce coverage additionally clarifies the promise of 3 years of Android and safety updates going ahead.

Specifications

Efficiency and gaming

The Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional guarantees 33% quicker CPU and 11% quicker GPU speeds, in step with the logo itself, in spite of the use of the similar Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 5G chip and an 8-core CPU. In combination, this mix handles maximum gaming stalwarts with relative ease. I have a tendency to spend my small-screen periods in loose cellular video games akin to Delta Power and Name of Accountability: Cellular, either one of which steamroll in the course of the battlefield with no hitch. Higher but, you’ll be able to push each video games as much as the max graphically with out a lot compromise on efficiency, even if it will sacrifice probably the most (3a) Professional’s abundant battery – extra on that later.

Temperature regulate is good as ever, too, using the 4,500mm² metal vapor chamber to fritter away warmth buildup briefly. Lots of the absolute best Android telephones can get a bit of toasty, and whilst the (3a) Professional might get a tad heat throughout prolonged periods, it is by no means a motive for fear. It indisputably does not succeed in the degrees of the Honor Magic 7 Professional and even the iPhone 16 Professional Max.

As a result of that aforementioned RAM improve, the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional positions itself along Android greats just like the Xiaomi 15, and it presentations. It isn’t simply stellar gaming efficiency, both, as the use of on a regular basis apps is painless. The standard leisure outliers like YouTube and TikTok do not falter within the face of unending scrolling, whilst the gauntlet of Google apps for paintings or recreational trudges on without difficulty. I most often use (3a) Professional with the RAM Booster environment engaged, profiting from the 8 GB allocation to actually get probably the most out of the tool’s energy, and I like to recommend doing the similar.

Options and instrument

There may be no longer an excessive amount of distinction between the common and Professional variations of the Not anything Telephone 3(a), however that’s not essentially a foul factor. Wearing Not anything’s personal Android 15 pores and skin, navigating the smartphone simply turns into 2nd nature. If you want to stay issues minimalistic, Not anything’s model of Android 15’s interface is a low-key affair, with muted colours and simplistic utility emblems. It fits the similar possible choices as Not anything makes with its CMF Watch Professional and CMF Watch Professional 2 wearables, keeping up concord around the emblem.

Whilst I recognize this no-nonsense, distraction-free way, my mind itches for a dash of colour to scratch it. In that regard, I choose to make use of the usual Android 15 theme, albeit with app names and widgets engaged. If you are migrating over from an iPhone, then this degree of customization is one thing you can recognize.

I nonetheless battle to look the overall possible of Crucial Area, even though. That is Not anything’s new interactive approach of brainstorming concepts, taking notes, and formulating plans with the app of a unmarried button. To brush aside it as a glorified notes app is harsh, however for me, I would a lot wish to map the Crucial Area to different purposes, similar to the iPhone 16’s motion button. Even supposing Not anything is increasing this option with long run updates, it feels redundant throughout my on a regular basis utilization recently.

Design

Astounding – that is a superlative the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional design is worthy of. There is not any person doing it relatively like Not anything presently, no less than at the aesthetic facet. Uninteresting and rancid are phrases you will not to find anyplace close to the (3a) and (3a) Professional, with Seventies industrialism manifesting throughout its attention-grabbing again. It is a depraved crossover of NASA-punk, sci-fi, and futurism, coming throughout as one thing that would not really feel misplaced in Embark Studios’ ARC Raiders or Alex Cox’s cult vintage Repo Guy. That bleeds into the digital camera association, an emboldened number of lenses evoking a way of marvel.

The Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional casts an impressive shadow to start with, with its higher shape issue aping usual iPhone fashions or flashier Google Pixel telephones. Secure by way of tempered Panda glass and IP64 coverage from mud and moisture, I will leisure simple that almost all splashes of rain or water from washing up the dishes are not going to motive it any hurt. That being mentioned, it is not the best water coverage round. I nonetheless reckon the Pixel Professional 9 XL is a champ for that.

One of the crucial first issues I do when getting a brand new telephone is hunt down equipment. Purchasing display screen protectors for Not anything’s new batch of handsets is not precisely simple, even though. I have examined quite a lot of choices from Amazon and eBay, and lots of of them are not a real are compatible. Unfortunately, Not anything does not be offering an alternate, so stay that during thoughts. Instances also are hit or miss from 3rd events, and Not anything nonetheless does not supply one inside the field.

Show

Fingerprint detection continues to be a bit of finicky if you are vulnerable to the use of biometric app options. In spite of this, it is certainly one of the crucial slickest shows at this worth level, and no less than to my eye, a minimize above opponents just like the OnePlus 12R and RedMagic 10 Air.

Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional cameras

Offering the method for Instagram-worthy snaps has been within the wheelhouse of Not anything for some time, and the (3a) Professional greater than steps on top of things. Incorporating a 70mm periscope lens, no longer in contrast to the similar type you’ll be able to to find within the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely or positive OnePlus telephones, pushing the 3x zoom to its limits is not anything however spectacular. Now not simply because I will hone in on topics from afar, however the readability of the picture is outstanding.

Exhibiting nice distinction and first rate colour replica, the (3a) Professional’s effects are ripe for post-processing in Lightroom or Snapseed. Two 50 MP lenses bulk up the (3a) Professional’s digital camera, providing an aperture as little as f/1.9. You’ll be able to transfer between 15mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, and 140mm focal lengths at the fly, the latter of which makes use of a Sony sensor on the center of it. Extensive-angle lenses are at all times the perpetrator of problems, and whilst it is not terrible in any respect, do not get too interested by it right here.

The 50 MP selfie digital camera may not be for everybody, no less than from a file-size standpoint. As a result of the higher MP depend, selfies are a lot more taxing to your garage than maximum telephones. I additionally to find the portrait mode to be a bit of too competitive now and then. In spite of providing you with a greater digital camera variety this time, Not anything does not transfer previous 4K 30 FPS, with 1080p 30/60 FPS saved in reserve. Certain, capturing at 4K 60 FPS is not for everybody, however it is great to have that possibility.

Battery

Must you purchase the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional?

Whilst I believe the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional is a shocking piece of apparatus, it can be exhausting to justify the jump up from its predecessor. The use of the similar chipset, shape issue, and show, the primary upgrades listed below are the higher RAM and subtle digital camera setup. Alternatively, I nonetheless suggest it wholeheartedly if you are available in the market for a handset that could be a step above the finances telephone area.

Just like the Not anything Telephone (3a) earlier than it, it is a standout selection for gaming, dealing with tough titles whilst slightly breaking a sweat. Not anything’s daring, stripped-back way to design is at all times a deal with to the eyes and helps to keep the logo distinct in a marketplace of decidedly dull picks.

Possible choices

Google is one of the titans of Android smartphones, and for just right explanation why. The Google Pixel 9a is any other cast access into its library, slotting along the Not anything Telephone (3a) Professional’s mid-range worth. You will not see Not anything’s distinctive pores and skin of Android 15 right here, however the Pixel 9a is a swish, no-thrills way to smartphones. It is tough sufficient for many cellular video games, has a perfect digital camera, and may not cost a fortune.

iPhone 16e

Need an iPhone however are not afflicted concerning the Max or usual type? That is the place the iPhone 16e is available in. Very similar to Apple’s SE fashions, this iteration of the preferred flagship comes supplied with Apple Intelligence and get right of entry to to all of the Apple Arcade Video games to be had, whilst providing a good quantity of energy beneath the hood. Its singular digital camera is first rate, however it’s possible you’ll to find your self hoping for one thing extra.