Are you on the hunt for the best 5G phone under ₹25,000 in 2025? With so many options flooding the market, choosing the right smartphone can feel overwhelming. Two standout contenders in this budget segment are the Nothing Phone 3a and the Realme P3 Pro. Both promise cutting-edge features, sleek designs, and impressive performance, but which one truly deserves your hard-earned money? In this comprehensive blog, we’ll break down their specs, features, and real-world performance to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a reliable daily driver, this guide has you covered.

Overview: Nothing Phone 3a vs Realme P3 Pro

The Nothing Phone 3a and Realme P3 Pro are two of the most talked-about 5G smartphones under ₹25,000 in India right now. Launched recently, both phones target budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on modern features like fast processors, vibrant displays, and 5G connectivity. Priced competitively, the Nothing Phone 3a starts at ₹23,000 (with offers), while the Realme P3 Pro comes in at ₹25,000 for its base variant. But price isn’t everything—let’s explore how they stack up in design, performance, battery life, cameras, and more.

Pricing and Availability

• Nothing Phone 3a: Priced at ₹23,000 (with discounts), making it slightly more affordable than its rival. The base variant offers solid value for money.
• Realme P3 Pro: Retails at ₹25,000 for the base model, though offers can bring it closer to the Nothing Phone 3a’s price point.

Verdict: If budget is your top priority, the Nothing Phone 3a edges out slightly with its lower starting price. However, keep an eye on festive sales or bank offers, as both phones often see price drops.

Design and Build Quality

Nothing Phone 3a

• Weight: 201 grams
• Back Panel: Features the iconic Glyph Lights, which glow and add a unique aesthetic. It’s a signature Nothing design element that doubles as a notification system.
• Build: Comes with Panda Glass protection for durability.
• IP Rating: IP64 (splash and dust resistant).

The Nothing Phone 3a stands out with its futuristic, transparent design and glowing Glyph Lights. It’s not just about looks—these lights enhance functionality by alerting you to notifications or calls. However, at 201 grams, it’s slightly heavier than some competitors.

Realme P3 Pro

• Weight: 186 grams
• Back Panel: A sleek, dark finish that glows subtly under light, giving it a premium feel.
• Build: Also equipped with Gorilla Glass protection (exact version unspecified in the transcript).
• IP Rating: IP68 (water and dust resistant).

The Realme P3 Pro offers a lighter, more conventional design with a glowing back panel that adds a touch of flair. Its IP68 rating is a big win, offering superior protection against water and dust compared to the Nothing Phone 3a’s IP64.

Verdict: If you love unique designs, the Nothing Phone 3a’s Glyph Lights are a game-changer. For durability and water resistance, the Realme P3 Pro takes the lead.

Display: Viewing Experience Compared

• Nothing Phone 3a: 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, Panda Glass protection.
• Realme P3 Pro: 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, slim bezels for an immersive experience.

Both phones sport 120Hz AMOLED displays, ensuring smooth scrolling and vibrant colors—perfect for gaming, streaming, or everyday use. The Nothing Phone 3a’s Panda Glass adds a layer of toughness, while the Realme P3 Pro’s slim bezels enhance the content-watching experience. Both include in-display fingerprint scanners that work quickly and reliably.

Outdoor Visibility: Both screens perform well in sunlight, with adequate brightness for outdoor use.

Verdict: It’s a tie here. The displays are nearly identical in quality, though the Realme P3 Pro’s slimmer bezels might appeal to media buffs.

Performance: Power Under the Hood

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, a solid mid-range chipset that delivers excellent performance for the price. But there are differences in optimization and storage:

• Nothing Phone 3a: Paired with UFS 2.1 storage. In real-world tests, it opens apps slightly faster and feels more optimized, especially for gaming (e.g., BGMI at 90fps).
• Realme P3 Pro: Comes with UFS 3.0 storage, which is technically faster on paper. However, real-life speed tests show only a marginal difference compared to the Nothing Phone 3a.

Gaming Performance

Both phones support 90fps gaming (e.g., BGMI), but stability varies. The Nothing Phone 3a feels more optimized, launching games like BGMI faster and exporting files quicker in side-by-side tests. Graphics quality is comparable, but Nothing’s software tuning gives it a slight edge.

Antutu Scores: Both exceed 800,000, confirming their capability for multitasking and heavy apps.

Verdict: The Nothing Phone 3a wins for better software optimization, despite the Realme P3 Pro’s faster UFS 3.0 storage.

Battery Life and Charging

• Nothing Phone 3a: 5000mAh battery, 45W fast charging (charger sold separately).
• Realme P3 Pro: 5200mAh battery, 80W fast charging (charger included).

The Realme P3 Pro offers a larger battery and faster charging out of the box, making it ideal for users who need quick top-ups. The Nothing Phone 3a’s 5000mAh battery is no slouch, but the lack of an included charger is a drawback at this price point.

Verdict: Realme P3 Pro takes the crown for battery life and charging convenience.

Camera: Capturing the Moment

Nothing Phone 3a

• Rear: 50MP (main) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 50MP (telephoto, 2x zoom).
• Front: 16MP selfie camera.
• Performance: Excels in detail, light control, and zoom shots. Portrait mode offers great edge detection, and low-light photos retain more detail thanks to the telephoto lens. Videos are stable, with 4K support and 1080p at 60fps for the front camera.

Realme P3 Pro

• Rear: 50MP (main) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro).
• Front: 16MP selfie camera.
• Performance: Solid main camera with good detail in daylight, but the lack of a telephoto lens limits zoom quality. Ultra-wide shots are decent, and videos support 4K, though stability is slightly behind Nothing.

Verdict: The Nothing Phone 3a dominates with its telephoto lens and superior video stability, making it the better choice for photography enthusiasts.

Software: User Experience Matters

• Nothing Phone 3a: Runs Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15). It’s clean, bloatware-free, and offers smooth animations and unique widgets. Nothing maintains consistent software quality across its range.
• Realme P3 Pro: Runs Realme UI with some AI features. It includes pre-installed apps that may require uninstalling, but it’s still fast and functional.

Verdict: Nothing Phone 3a offers a cleaner, more premium software experience.

Connectivity and Extras

• 5G Support: Both phones deliver stable 5G and Wi-Fi performance.
• Audio: Dual mics and great call quality on both. Nothing adds NFC support for contactless payments—a feature absent in the Realme P3 Pro.

Verdict: Nothing Phone 3a edges out with NFC.

Pros and Cons

Nothing Phone 3a

Pros:

• Unique Glyph Lights design.
• It has a better camera with a telephoto lens.
• Optimized performance and clean software.
• NFC support.

Cons:

• Charger not included.
• IP64 rating is less protective.

Realme P3 Pro

Pros:

• Larger battery and faster 80W charging (charger included).
• IP68 water resistance.
• Slim bezels for immersive display.

Cons:

• No telephoto lens.
• Slightly less optimized software.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

• Choose the Nothing Phone 3a if you want a unique design, superior camera performance (especially zoom and video), and a clean software experience. It’s perfect for gamers and photography lovers on a budget.
• Choose the Realme P3 Pro if battery life, fast charging, and water resistance are your priorities. It’s a great all-rounder for practical users.

Both phones are fantastic value under ₹25,000, but your choice depends on what matters most to you. For me, the Nothing Phone 3a’s camera and software edge make it the winner—but the Realme P3 Pro’s battery prowess is hard to ignore.