Nothing’s Community Edition Phone (3a) Blends Y2K Design With Collaborative Creativity

Summary

• Nothing collaborated with fans to create the Phone (3a) Community Edition, limited to 1,000 units
• Features a transparent teal retro-futuristic exterior and is offered in a 12GB + 256GB configuration

Nothing introduces the Phone (3a) Community Edition, a limited‑run model shaped directly by its global fan community. Developed over six months through the “Community Edition Project,” this special iteration of the Phone (3a) is the result of four distinct stages involving design, wallpaper creation, packaging and marketing, all led by community members in collaboration with Nothing’s internal teams. This initiative reflects Nothing’s commitment to transparency and community-driven innovation, transforming a standard smartphone into a collective artistic endeavor.

The design centers on a transparent teal exterior inspired by late-’90s and early-2000s handheld gaming devices, created by hardware designer Emre Kayganacı. This retro‑futuristic aesthetic builds on Nothing’s signature transparent language, but with a more playful, Y2K‑inflected twist that reveals layered internal forms without exposing components literally.

This edition maintains the core specifications of the standard Phone (3a), offered in a 12GB + 256GB configuration. Its frosted teal casing is paired with custom UI elements developed through the Community Edition Project, including a retro digital‑clock‑style lock screen widget and other personalised software touches contributed by community winners. The packaging and accessories also follow the nostalgic theme, with one standout accessory being a set of translucent dice, echoing the era’s colourful tech objects.

Released as a strictly limited edition with only 1,000 units available globally. For more information, visit Nothing’s official website.