Using LUTs on Your Nothing Phone 3a / 3A Pro

26 May

The Nothing Phone 3a/3a Pro has landed, and alongside its signature transparent design and streamlined Nothing OS, it brings a powerful tool for photography and videography enthusiasts: native LUT support. If you've been wondering how to elevate your mobile content with professional-grade colour grading, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through understanding and using LUTs on your new Nothing Phone 3a.

What on Earth is a LUT?

First things first, what exactly is a LUT? LUT stands for "Look-Up Table." In simple terms, it's a file that tells an application how to transform colour and tonal values in an image or video. Think of it as a sophisticated preset or filter. Instead of just overlaying an effect, a LUT mathematically remaps the existing colours to a new set of colours, allowing for precise and complex colour grading.

Filmmakers and professional photographers have used LUTs for years to achieve consistent looks, emulate film stocks, or create specific moods. Now, Nothing is bringing this capability directly into the native camera app of the Phone 3a series, giving you incredible creative control without needing to dive into complex editing software immediately.

Why Bother with LUTs on Your Phone?

You might be thinking, "My phone already has filters!" And you're right. But LUTs offer several advantages:

Professional Aesthetics: Achieve cinematic colour grades and popular visual styles seen in films and professional photography.
Consistency: Apply the same look across multiple photos and videos for a cohesive aesthetic, perfect for social media feeds or personal projects.
Creative Expression: Experiment with a vast range of looks, from subtle enhancements to dramatic transformations.
Time-Saving: Preview and apply complex colour grades in real-time or with a simple tap, speeding up your workflow.

How to Use LUTs on Your Nothing Phone 3a/pro: Step-by-Step

Nothing has made the process of importing and using LUTs on the Phone 3a surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how:

Find Your LUTs: You'll need LUT files in the .cube format. You can find these online (many websites offer free and paid LUTs), or you might even create your own using software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro. Some creative users in the Nothing community have even explored generating .cube files using tools like ChatGPT!
Transfer LUTs to Your Phone: Download or transfer your chosen .cube files into the 'Downloads' folder on your Nothing Phone 3a's internal storage.
Open the Nothing Camera App: Launch the native camera application.
Access Filters: Look for the 'Filter' option, usually accessible from the main camera interface (it might be a dropdown menu or an icon).
Open the Filter Management: Within the filter options, you should see an icon (often pencil-shaped or a 'manage' icon) that allows you to customise your available filters. Tap on this.
Import Your LUT: Look for an option like "Import LUT" or a similar phrasing. Select this.
Select and Name: Navigate to your 'Downloads' folder (or wherever you saved your .cube files), select the LUT you want to import, and give it a recognisable name.
Save and Apply: Save your imported LUT. It should now appear in your list of available filters, ready to be applied to your photos or videos directly through the viewfinder!

Important Considerations

LUTs and Base Colour Science: Many LUTs available online are designed for 'LOG' or flat picture profiles, which capture maximum dynamic range but look desaturated initially. Applying these directly to the Nothing Phone 3a's standard, more vibrant footage might result in an overly saturated or contrasty look. Experimentation is key! You might need to find LUTs specifically designed for mobile footage or adjust the intensity if the camera app allows.
Subtlety can be Key: While dramatic looks are fun, often the most pleasing results come from LUTs that subtly enhance colours and tones.
Organise Your Collection: As you start collecting LUTs, keep them organised with clear names so you can easily find the look you're after.

Beyond the Native App: Third-Party Options

While the native support is fantastic for on-the-fly creativity, you might also want to apply LUTs in post-production or to footage you've already shot. Many popular Android video and photo editing apps support LUTs. Some well-regarded options include:

VN Video Editor: A versatile and free video editor that allows LUT import.
CapCut: Another popular choice with a wide range of features, including LUT support.
Adobe Lightroom Mobile: While primarily for photos, Lightroom allows for preset creation and import, which can include LUT-based profiles for advanced users.

The process in these apps generally involves importing media, then finding an option related to 'Filters', 'Colour', or 'LUTs' within their editing tools to import and apply your .cube files.

Get Creative!

The inclusion of native LUT support on the Nothing Phone 3a is a significant step for mobile content creators. It opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing you to define your unique visual style with greater precision, and ease. So, go ahead, find some inspiring LUTs, and start experimenting – your Nothing Phone 3a is now an even more powerful creative companion!

Disclaimer: The Nothing Phone 3a was released in early 2025. Software features and user experiences may evolve with future updates. Always refer to the official Nothing documentation for the latest information.

COMING SOON

I’m currently testing a range of LUTs, and Presets, that I’ve designed. Send me an email if you’re interested in knowing when they’re ready (and you’ll get a discount code)

Paul Berry