Nothing Phone 3a Series: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3?

The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro are confirmed to use a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, and the specific model is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (SM7635). This mid-range processor, announced in August 2024, sits below the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in performance but offers a solid balance of efficiency, AI features, and 5G connectivity for the 3a series’ expected price bracket.

Why the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3?

Nothing’s choice of the 7s Gen 3 aligns with the 3a series’ positioning as a more affordable alternative to the flagship Phone 3. The 7s Gen 3 is built on TSMC’s 4nm process, which delivers good power efficiency for all-day battery life—a key selling point for mid-range phones. It also brings several flagship-tier features down to a lower price point:

Integrated 5G modem (Snapdragon X5) with support for sub-6 GHz bands.
On-device AI capabilities for photo processing and voice assistants.
Support for up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.
Display support up to FHD+ at 144Hz, enabling smooth scrolling.

How It Compares to the 7+ Gen 3 and 8 Gen 3

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is not a flagship chip. Its CPU uses a 1+3+4 configuration (one Cortex-A720 prime core at 2.5GHz, three A720 performance cores at 2.4GHz, and four A520 efficiency cores at 1.8GHz). In contrast, the 7+ Gen 3 has a similar layout but with higher clocks (up to 2.8GHz) and a more powerful Adreno 732 GPU. The 8 Gen 3, found in the Phone 3, uses a 1+5+2 layout with even faster cores and a significantly better GPU.

For everyday tasks—social media, messaging, web browsing, and streaming—the 7s Gen 3 feels responsive. Heavy gaming at high settings will see lower frame rates than flagship chips, but most popular titles run smoothly at medium graphics. The 7s Gen 3 also lacks the 8 Gen 3’s advanced ray tracing and some of the latest camera ISP features, which is expected at this price point.

What the 3a Series Actually Offers

The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro share the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, but they differ in other specs:

Display: Both have a 6.77-inch AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution.
Cameras: The 3a has a 50MP main, 50MP 2x telephoto, and 8MP ultrawide. The 3a Pro adds a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto with better zoom and a higher-resolution front camera.
Battery: Both have a 5,000mAh cell with 45W wired charging.
Software: Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15, with three years of OS updates and six years of security patches.

Performance in Real-World Use

Benchmarks for the 7s Gen 3 show AnTuTu scores around 750,000-800,000, which is roughly 20% lower than the 7+ Gen 3. In practice, this means:

App launches: Fast, with minimal load times for most apps.
Multitasking: Smooth with 8GB or 12GB RAM options.
Gaming: Genshin Impact runs at medium settings with occasional frame drops; Call of Duty Mobile runs at high settings smoothly.
Thermals: The phone stays cool during normal use, but extended gaming sessions may cause slight warmth around the camera area.

Common Misconceptions

One frequent confusion is whether the “s” in 7s Gen 3 means “slow” or “standard.” It actually stands for “standard”—the chip is the baseline of the 7-series, with the “+” variant being the performance version. Another misconception is that the 3a series will get the same camera quality as the Phone 3. While the 3a Pro’s periscope lens is impressive for the price, the image processing is still a step below the flagship’s Hasselblad-tuned system.

Should You Buy It?

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the 3a series is a good choice if you prioritize battery life, a clean software experience, and solid everyday performance over raw gaming power. It’s not the right phone if you’re a hardcore gamer or need the absolute best camera processing. For most people, the 3a Pro offers the better value due to its superior zoom camera, while the standard 3a is a more budget-friendly option with nearly identical performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 good for gaming?

It’s adequate for casual and mid-tier gaming. You can play most titles at medium settings with stable frame rates. Demanding games like Genshin Impact will require lowering settings to avoid stutters. For a smoother experience, look for a phone with the 7+ Gen 3 or a flagship chip.

Does the 3a series support wireless charging?

No, the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro do not support wireless charging. They only support wired charging at up to 45W. This is a common omission in the mid-range segment to keep costs down.

Will the 3a series get Android 16?

Yes, Nothing has committed to three years of OS updates and six years of security patches for the 3a series. This means the phones will receive Android 16, 17, and 18, with security updates through 2031.

How does the 3a Pro’s camera compare to the Pixel 8a?

The 3a Pro’s 3x periscope zoom is a unique feature at this price, offering better optical zoom than the Pixel 8a’s 2x. However, the Pixel 8a’s main camera and overall image processing are generally considered superior, especially in low light. The 3a Pro is better for zoom shots, while the Pixel 8a is better for general photography.

Is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 a 5G chip?

Yes, it includes the Snapdragon X5 5G modem, supporting both sub-6 GHz and mmWave in some regions. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, so you get modern connectivity features.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

More cards in this drawer

The whole Numbers and Powers drawer →