Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition: Only 1,000 Units Available Globally

In a rare move for the smartphone industry, UK-based consumer tech brand Nothing has officially launched the Phone (3a) Community Edition, a device that blurs the lines between manufacturer and user. The handset is the culmination of the nine-month “Community Edition Project,” which saw the company collaborate directly with four fan creators selected from over 700 global submissions to design the hardware, software, packaging, and marketing campaign.

This limited-run model is not just a cosmetic refresh; it represents a philosophical shift in product development, channeling a distinct late-90s and early-2000s aesthetic that pays homage to the era of transparent gaming hardware.

Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition: A Design Born from the Community

While the internal architecture remains based on the robust 12GB+256GB configuration of the standard Phone (3a), the exterior and interface have been reimagined. The winning hardware concept introduces transparent accents that expose the device’s inner workings, evoking a sense of “atomic” nostalgia.

Complementing the physical design is a bespoke software layer. The device features a redesigned lock screen clock that utilizes varied font weights to reduce visual clutter, along with custom wallpapers that create a seamless visual continuity between the phone’s exterior and its interface.

Perhaps the most unique addition is the debut of a new accessory category: custom dice. These feature Nothing’s signature Ndot 55 font, merging playful, tactile design with the brand’s minimalist industrial identity.

Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition Specifications:

Despite its unique skin, the Phone (3a) Community Edition retains the formidable specs of the standard model. It sports a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3000 nits, protected by Panda Glass.

Under the hood, performance is driven by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor paired with an Adreno 720 GPU. In terms of software longevity, the device ships with Android 15 (Nothing OS 3.2) out of the box but has already received an immediate OTA update to the latest Android 16 running Nothing OS 4, ensuring users are on the cutting edge of software from day one.

Key Hardware Highlights:

• Cameras: A versatile triple-camera array featuring a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor (114° FOV). The front houses a 32MP selfie shooter.
• Battery: A 5000mAh cell supporting 50W wired fast charging.
• Durability: IP64 splash resistance and an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Nothing Phone (3a) Community Edition Availability

The exclusivity of this device cannot be overstated. Nothing is producing only 1,000 units globally, making it an instant collector’s item.

In India, the device is priced at ₹28,999 for the single 12GB+256GB variant. However, acquiring one will require physical presence and promptness. The phone will be sold exclusively via a one-day offline “drop” event.

Event Details:

• Date: December 13, 2025
• Time: 2 PM – 6 PM IST
• Location: 33&Brew, Prestige Technostar, Brookefield, Bengaluru.

This hyper-limited release strategy mirrors the “drop culture” of streetwear brands, likely ensuring that the 1,000 units sell out almost instantly.