The Nothing Phone 3a teardown has surfaced, giving us a detailed look at the phone’s internals, design choices, and overall repairability score. Nothing recently launched the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro, and now the Phone 3a has been disassembled to reveal its internal components.
Like previous Nothing phones, the Phone 3a sports a fake transparent back, made possible by a special underlayer beneath the glass panel. The Glyph LED lights are embedded into the upper motherboard cover, creating Nothing’s signature aesthetic.
What the Nothing Phone 3a Teardown Revealed
Build and Internal Layout
- The main board houses the camera setup, with the primary camera featuring Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
- Rubber gaskets around the USB port and connectors help prevent water damage.
- A larger copper vapor chamber improves heat dissipation, marking an upgrade from the Nothing Phone 2a.
- The battery features two labeled pull tabs for easier removal.
- Screen replacements require going through the back panel, making repairs slightly more complex.
Repairability Score: How Easy Is It to Fix?
The Nothing Phone 3a teardown resulted in a 4.5/10 repairability score (10 being easiest to repair, 1 being hardest). Here’s how it scored in key categories:
- Battery Replacement: 1.5/2 – The pull-tab design makes it relatively easy to replace.
- Parts Availability: 1/2 – Replacement parts are available, but not widely distributed.
- Miscellaneous Parts Replacement: 1/2 – Common repairs like buttons or ports are moderately manageable.
- Design & Repair Time: 0.5/2 – Complex disassembly makes certain repairs time-consuming.
- Screen Replacement: 0.5/2 – Requires back panel removal, making the process harder.
Nothing Phone 3a Pricing and Availability
The Nothing Phone 3a is priced as follows:
- 128GB + 8GB RAM – $499.99 / €329.00
- 256GB + 12GB RAM – $459.00 / €379.00
Final Thoughts: A Stylish but Tough-to-Repair Device
The Nothing Phone 3a teardown confirms that while the phone offers premium aesthetics and solid internals, repairability remains a challenge. Battery replacements are relatively simple, but screen repairs and overall disassembly are more complicated than ideal.
If you prioritize a unique design and advanced cooling, the Phone 3a remains an attractive option—but if repairability is a key concern, you might want to consider other options.
