The London-based tech firm has launched a rare “co-created” smartphone limited to just 1,000 units globally, with an exclusive drop event scheduled for Bengaluru this Friday.
Nothing just officially launched the Phone (3a) Community Edition in India, a special version of its popular mid-range phone that was designed with help from its fans. Priced at ₹28,999, the device has a distinct “retro-futuristic” look inspired by 90s gaming consoles. You can only buy it at an offline event in Bengaluru on December 13.
This limited-edition phone is the result of a six-month “Community Edition Project,” where fans pitched ideas for the hardware design, wallpapers, packaging, and even marketing. The winning concept gives the phone a unique bluish tone and a see-through back panel that looks like old-school game toys, breaking away from Nothing’s usual black and white color schemes.
Spec-wise, the Community Edition is the same as the standard Phone (3a). It has a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip. The camera setup got an upgrade from previous models. It reportedly features a triple system: a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a new 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom.
Only 1,000 units exist worldwide. If you’re in India and want one, you’ll need to show up at a “drop event” at 33&Brew in Bengaluru’s Prestige Technostar on Friday between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM IST.
“It’s a bold, new and nostalgic colour exploration that looks like a game toy from the past, while staying true to Nothing Phone (3a)’s futuristic identity,” the company said about the redesign.
Tech analysts are impressed by the collaborative approach. “The device sports a retro-inspired translucent backplate… drawing from 1990s-early 2000s gadget aesthetics,” The Economic Times noted.
This is actually the second time Nothing has released a community-designed phone. The Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition in 2024 was a success, so they’re doing it again. It’s part of the company’s strategy to build serious brand loyalty by letting users actually participate in creating products.
The launch also shows how important the Indian market is to Nothing. Bengaluru is one of the few cities globally getting a physical drop event. The phone runs Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15, promising a clean experience without bloatware that goes head-to-head with phones like Pixel and Motorola in the under-₹30,000 range.
With such limited stock, this thing is going to sell out immediately. If you miss out, the standard Phone (3a) is still available, just without the exclusive custom packaging and retro design. Nothing has hinted that future community projects might expand beyond phones into things like audio wearables.
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