Nothing Launches the Phone (3a) Lite, Its Most Affordable Model with a Catch
Nothing has officially announced the Phone (3a) Lite the fourth device in the line up of the Phone (3) series. Targeted as the cheapest phone of the brand, it retains the signature transparent design of the brand but offers relatively good features for that price. However, this is achieved through some significant compromises.
Design and Display
Constructed with an aluminum frame with Panda Glass protection for the front screen, the back panel has the transparent aesthetic that the brand is known for. The display is a 6.77-inch AMOLED screen with key specifications as follows:
- Resolution: 1080x2392 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Peak Brightness: Up to 3000 nits
The characteristic Glyph lighting system has been simplified in this version to a single LED indicator, customizable for various contacts and apps. The physical Essential Key for quick AI function access has been retained.
Core Hardware and Battery Life
The Phone (3a) Lite is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip that is built using a 4nm process. A 5000 mAh battery powers the device, with Nothing promising 22 hours of YouTube viewing or 9.5 hours of gaming. The phone supports 33W charging, which can achieve 50% battery in about 20 minutes.
Camera System
The triple camera has the following setup at the back of the phone:
- A primary 50 MP camera with a 1/1.57-inch sensor from Samsung.
- An 8 MP ultra-wide camera.
- A macro camera.
Video recording of 4K in 30fps. On the front, the camera has a definition of 16MP.
Software The Integrated Ads Compromise
The device comes with Android 15 OS and a skin of Nothing OS 3.5, while a plan is in the making to upgrade it to version 4.0 in the first half of 2026. A very significant compromise towards a lower cost is the manner through which the software would be monetized. Nothing has confirmed that the Phone (3a) Lite, among other devices, would be supported through pre-installed applications and integrated advertisements.
European Pricing and Availability
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is currently available in Europe for pre-orders. The prices set are:
- 128 GB version: €249
- 256 GB version: €279
