Lava Agni 4 Vs Nothing Phone 3A: Best Budget Flagship Killer?

The Indian smartphone market is flourishing with budget smartphones. Under Rs. 25000, we have seen many interesting options. That brings us to compare two that are positioned as “flagship killers”. People are particularly curious about Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A. It is because somewhere down the line, they do share common fans. The specs are head-on. So let’s go a little deeper and compare their features.

Also read: Nothing Phone 3a Features, Leaks, & Everything We Know So Far!

Lava Agni 4 Vs Nothing Phone 3A: Glance At Specs

Launched in November 2025, the Lava Agni 4 brings Indian innovation. There’s a clean Android experience and AI tools in-built. The Nothing Phone 3a, released earlier in March 2025, is known for its quirky transparent design and Glyph lights. Let’s have a quick glance at their specs:

Both phones punch above their weight with 5G support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C 3.2. However, their differences in storage speed and camera versatility could sway your choice.

Also read: Best Samsung One UI 7.0 Features You Should Try On Your Galaxy S25 Ultra!

Design and Build: Style vs Substance

Design is where these phones diverge sharply. The Nothing Phone 3a steals the show with its signature transparent glass back. There’s something so cool about exposing internal components like ribbon cables. It gives off a futuristic vibe. The pill-shaped camera module and Glyph Interface make the phone design stand out. LED strips that light up for notifications, timers, or calls are actually not just stylish but useful.

We have only two basic colour options: White and Black

In contrast, the Lava Agni 4 opts for a premium metal unibody frame. It is kind of rare to see in under 25k phones. It feels solid and durable. It’s slightly lighter at around 195g (Nothing phone 3a is 201g) and available in Phantom Black or Lunar Mist. No flashy lights here, but the matte finish and IR blaster are present. The Essential Key (side button) quickly accesses AI-organised screenshots and clicks photographs. Sounds familiar to the iPhone action button?

Verdict for Buyers: If you want a phone that turns heads and feels unique, go with Nothing. For a sturdy, professional build that lasts, Lava wins.

Also read: Oneplus 13s vs Nothing Phone 3: Which Phone Should You Buy?

Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A Display Pay Off

Both deliver vibrant AMOLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates. But with Nothing Phone 3a, you get better outdoor performance as there’s 3000 nits peak brightness. It is ideal for direct sunlight. The 6.77-inch FHD+ screen supports 1.07 billion colours and Ultra HDR. Watching movies would be a treat to the eyes. Colours would just pop.

The Lava Agni 4’s 6.67-inch 1.5K display (higher 446ppi density) offers sharper details. Texts have more clarity. It’s great for reading or editing, with 2400 nits brightness that’s still excellent. It supports HDR10+ and Widevine L1 for Netflix in HD. Plus Gorilla Glass 5 for better scratch resistance over Nothing’s Panda Glass.

Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A Design Verdict: Nothing for brighter, larger viewing. Lava for sharper resolution in a compact form.

Also read: Exynos 2500 Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3? Find Out Which Is Faster!

Camera Quality: Versatility vs Consistency

Cameras are a highlight for both, but the Nothing Phone 3a pulls ahead in flexibility. Its triple rear setup captures detailed portraits, landscapes, and zoomed shots. There’s barely any quality loss. The 32-megapixel front camera handles selfies well in good light. Low-light performance is solid thanks to Night Mode. Though the ultrawide can get noisy.

The Lava Agni 4’s dual camera setup and 50-megapixel front camera emphasize natural colours. Thanks to the Dual Conversion Gain (DCG) tech. It’s a personal choice whether you want such vibrant colours popping or not. Otherwise, it provides balanced daylight shots. Vayu AI helps in scene optimisation and panorama stitching. However, the lack of a telephoto means digital zoom crops details. Selfies are sharper overall, with better skin tones.

Verdict for Buyers: I would personally choose Nothing. But Lava is also reliable and AI-enhanced.

Also read: Android 15 Features, Eligible Devices List, All Details!

Gaming Performance: Power and Cooling

Gamers will appreciate the Lava Agni 4 due to the Dimensity 8350 chipset. This one scores over 1.4 million on AnTuTu. That’s about 20-25 per cent ahead of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in Nothing’s phone (around 1.1 million). It has sufficient storage and a massive liquid cooling system (plus graphene film). It handles BGMI or Genshin Impact at high settings without throttling, even in long sessions.

The Nothing Phone 3a offers the efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. It delivers smooth 60fps gaming and better power efficiency for lighter titles. However, its smaller vapor chamber leads to minor heating after 30-45 minutes. RAM is also slightly slower compared to the Lava Agni 4.

Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A Gaming Verdict: Lava for intensive gaming marathons. Nothing is good for casual play with snappier AI perks.

Battery and Charging

Tied at 5000mAh, both last a full day with mixed use (7-8 hours screen-on time). The Lava Agni 4 charges faster at 66W. So, it goes 0-100 percent in under 45 minutes. Thanks to optimised cooling that prevents heat buildup. Nothing’s 50W gets you to full in about 55 minutes. The battery drain on standby is less.

Neither includes a charger in the box.

Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A Verdict for Buyers: It’s a tie for us!

Also read: Nothing Phone 2 Vs Nothing Phone 3: Which Is Worth It?

User Experience: Clean vs Custom

Software is a game-changer. The Lava Agni 4 runs a bloatware-free stock Android 15. It has Vayu AI, an “emotionally aware” assistant that handles voice commands. It understands Hindi/English, does Circle to Search, and uses task-specific agents (e.g., recipe suggestions). No ads or notifications clutter your home screen, and stereo speakers with an x-axis haptic motor feel premium. Updates: 3 OS + 4 years of security.

Nothing OS 3.1 is also on Android 15. But it is highly customisable with dot-matrix icons and the Glyph ecosystem. The Essential Space (AI hub) organises notes and memos, but some users report occasional bloat from partner apps. It shines in personalisation, with 6 years of security updates for longevity.

Verdict for Buyers: Lava for a pure, ad-free experience; Nothing for fun, feature-rich stuff.

Also read: These Phones Offer the Best One-Handed Experience!

Final Words: Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A

Both phones are promising and have their own set of pros and cons. If you are thinking which one to choose in Lava Agni 4 vs Nothing Phone 3A, here’s the truth:

• Choose Lava Agni 4 (Rs. 22,999) if you like raw performance, fast charging, and a premium metal build. Plus a no-nonsense Android setup. It’s the better pick for power users, gamers, and those tired of app clutter.
• Choose Nothing Phone 3a (Rs. 24,999) if design flair, brighter display, versatile cameras, and long-term support matter most. It’s ideal for folks who like bold looks.

Both are excellent value and give tough competition to the Poco X7 or Realme P3 in specific areas.

Whichever you pick, you’re getting a true flagship killer without the flagship price tag. Which one would you choose? Tell us in the comments!

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