Nothing has officially unveiled the Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition in India, a special variant developed under its “Community Edition Project.” The project invited creative contributions from fans worldwide — submissions spanned hardware design, software/ UI, accessories, and even marketing. Over 700 entries were received, and four winners were selected to collaborate directly with Nothing’s design and software teams.
This is not a regular release: Nothing will produce only 1,000 units globally, making the Phone 3a Community Edition a highly limited collector’s device.
In India, the Community Edition is priced at ₹28,999 for the sole 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage configuration.
The phone will be sold via an exclusive one‑day “drop event” scheduled for 13 December 2025, in Bengaluru.
Given the global cap of 1,000 units and the offline drop model, potential buyers must act fast — once sold out, there will be no second chance.
The Community Edition retains the core hardware of the standard Phone 3a but sports a new aesthetic. The design, submitted by winner Emre Kayganacı, draws inspiration from retro tech and gaming‑era gadgets (late 1990s / early 2000s), giving the phone a nostalgic yet futuristic look — including translucent elements and a “Frosted Teal” colour with colourful accents.
Beyond hardware, the Edition offers community‑designed software touches. A new lock screen clock face — designed by community member Jad Zock — along with a wallpaper pack (with four colour variants: two blues and two purples) helps visually tie the exterior design to the internal interface.
Additionally, a unique accessory — custom dice with each face styled using Nothing’s signature Ndot 55 font — was created by community contributors Ambrogio Tacconi and Louis Aymond.
This blurs the line between gadget and collectible — positioning the phone not just as a communication device, but as a piece of design art shaped by fans.
The Community Edition shares the internals with the regular version:
6.77‑inch flexible AMOLED display, adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate.
Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3.
Rear Cameras: Triple setup — 50 MP main (with OIS), 50 MP 2× telephoto, and 8 MP ultra‑wide. Front: 32 MP selfie shooter.
Battery & charging: 5000 mAh battery with 50W wired fast charging.
Additional perks: Splash resistance (IP64), in-display fingerprint sensor.
Unlike the standard product‑development cycle, this Edition shows that Nothing is willing to put creative power in the hands of its user base. Design, UI, accessories, even marketing were open to fans — a move that reflects a broader trend of co‑creation and community involvement in consumer tech.
Because of its limited production and custom elements, the Phone 3a Community Edition is less a mass‑market smartphone, more a collectible for fans and design-conscious users. For those who value aesthetics, uniqueness and being part of a community-led design — it offers something beyond pure specs. However, as other reports note, if you’re buying solely for value/performance, regular phones in the same price bracket might offer more.
Nothing Phone 3a Community Edition is a special, fan‑designed variant limited to 1,000 units globally.
Priced at ₹28,999 in India for 12 GB + 256 GB — available via exclusive drop on 13 December 2025 in Bengaluru.
It retains the same hardware as the standard model, but stands out thanks to its retro-inspired design, custom UI, wallpapers, and accessories — all contributed by community members.
For fans of the brand or tech‑style collectors, this Edition offers a rare chance to own a limited‑run, community‑designed smartphone.