The Phone (3a) Lite is the most affordable phone in the Nothing Phone series. Nothing announced it on October 29, 2025, and opened pre-orders in Europe and the UK the same day. In Europe, it costs €249 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The 256GB version costs €279. Nothing does not sell this model in the US.
Design and display
The phone keeps the brand’s transparent look, with a glass back and an internal aluminum frame. A single Glyph Light near the bottom corner handles notifications, a camera countdown, and custom light patterns. It measures 164 x 78 x 8.3 mm and weighs 199 g. Dust and splash protection is rated IP54.
The front has a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED panel with 1084 x 2392 resolution and 387 ppi. The refresh rate goes up to 120 Hz. Nothing lists 3,000 nits of peak brightness and 2,160 Hz PWM dimming. Panda glass covers the screen, and an optical fingerprint reader sits under it.
Performance
Inside is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. Its eight CPU cores reach 2.5 GHz, and graphics run on a Mali-G615 MC2. Every version has 8GB of RAM. Storage options are 128GB and 256GB of UFS 2.2. A hybrid slot accepts microSD cards up to 2TB.
Cameras
The rear has three cameras. The main one uses a 50 MP 1/1.57-inch sensor with an f/1.88 lens and electronic stabilization. An 8 MP ultrawide covers a 119.5-degree view, and a 2 MP macro camera handles close-ups. There is no telephoto lens. Video tops out at 4K at 30 fps. On the front, a 16 MP camera takes selfies. Processing runs on TrueLens Engine 4, the same pipeline used in the Phone (3).
Battery and charging
The battery holds 5,000 mAh. Wired charging reaches 33 W, and Nothing quotes 50% in about 20 minutes. A full charge takes about an hour. The phone can also charge accessories through its port at 5 W. There is no wireless charging, and the box has a cable but no charger.
Software and updates
The Phone (3a) Lite shipped with Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15. Nothing promises three Android upgrades and six years of security patches. The Essential Key on the right side opens Essential Space for notes and saved screenshots. NFC is available, except on the Indian model. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4.
Should you buy the Phone (3a) Lite?
This phone suits buyers in Europe, the UK, and India who want a distinctive design on a tight budget. The bright AMOLED screen, large main sensor, and long security support are its main strengths. However, you get a mono speaker, IP54 protection, and slower UFS 2.2 storage. If you need stronger water resistance or a telephoto lens, look at pricier models. US buyers will need an imported unit, since Nothing does not sell it there.
