Nothing has now completed its Phone 3 lineup, with four phones that cover every price segment while staying true to the brand’s signature transparent design. The lineup now includes the Phone (3) (review), Phone (3a) Pro (review), Phone (3a), and the newest member, the Phone (3a) Lite. It’s been launched globally today, while the India launch is expected soon. We spent some time with the device, and here are our first impressions.
Design and Build
The design of the Phone (3a) Lite feels like a merge between the CMF Phone 2 Pro and the Nothing Phone (3). You get the same transparent back, though it’s been simplified with a single “Glyph Light” on the bottom-right corner. The buttons on the White variant have black accents. The look of the phone is subjective, though. Some might like it, while others might not.
Unlike the multi-segment Glyphs on higher-end models, this one is a single light that supports features like Flip to Glyph for silent notifications, Essential Notifications for priority alerts, Camera Countdown, and custom light sequences for contacts and calls.
Both the front and back use Panda Glass, making it a proper glass sandwich, something rare in this segment. The phone also carries an IP54 rating. Available in black and white, the design feels premium for an entry-level model, with a solid hand feel.
Display
The display is one of its strongest aspects. It uses the same 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED panel found on the Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro. You get a 1080p resolution, up to 3000 Nits of peak brightness, 1300 Nits of outdoor brightness, and a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. The bezels are evenly sized, slightly thicker than expected but still uniform.
Performance
Powering the Phone (3a) Lite is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chipset built on the 4 nm process. It’s paired with 8 GB of RAM (expandable up to 16 GB with virtual RAM) and either 128 GB or 256 GB storage, expandable up to 2 TB via microSD.
The device sticks with a single speaker setup instead of stereo, making it one of the few areas where Nothing has cut back.
Software
The phone runs on Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15, out of the box. It offers a minimal interface built around some customization, with features like Smart Drawer, Private Space, App Locker, and Power Off Verify.
You also get the Essential Key that directly opens Essential Space, an AI hub for all your captured notes, photos, and recordings. It can transcribe text from audio, describe images, and sort everything automatically for easy access. The Essential Search feature lets you instantly find stored items, even offline.
Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, making it one of the most future-proof phones in its class. The device will get the Nothing OS 4.0 update in the first half of 2026, which will bring features like Lock Glimpse, a lock-screen content hub similar to Glance (though it will remain off by default).
Now, when it comes to pre-installed apps, this is where the global and Indian versions will differ. Globally, the Phone (3a) Lite will come with Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok pre-installed, all of which can be uninstalled if not needed.
However, since TikTok isn’t available in India, that slot could be replaced by another popular app (likely a regional or Meta service) or simply left out entirely, meaning Indian units may only include Instagram and Facebook.
Aside from these, there’s no extra bloatware, and Nothing has confirmed that all Essential Space features from the flagship Phone (3) are fully available here, with no trimming down for the Lite model.
Cameras
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite comes with a triple camera setup, featuring a 50 MP Samsung main sensor with f/1.88 and sensor size of 1/1.57-inch, an 8 MP ultra-wide, and a 2 MP macro lens. The front camera is a 16 MP shooter for selfies and video calls. While we can’t talk about camera performance yet, the specs are okay for this price, especially with that large sensor.
The camera system uses TrueLens Engine 4.0, which powers features like Ultra XDR, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, and Motion Capture. Video can go up to 4K 30 FPS or 1080p 60 FPS, with EIS for stability and slow motion at 1080p 120 FPS.
Battery and Charging
The Phone (3a) Lite houses a 5,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging and 5W reverse wired charging. Nothing claims the phone can last over a full day comfortably, with up to 22 hours of YouTube playback and around 9.5 hours of gaming.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite India Launch Date and Pricing Expectations
Nothing has launched the Phone (3a) Lite globally at €250 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant and €300 for the 8 GB + 256 GB variant. In India, the phone is expected to be priced between ₹19,999 and ₹20,999, sitting comfortably between the CMF Phone 2 Pro and the Nothing Phone (3a). The India launch date hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but it’s expected to happen soon.
Initial Impressions
The Phone (3a) Lite feels like it’s trying to find its spot between the CMF Phone 2 Pro and the Nothing Phone (3a). You get the transparent design, proper glass build, Glyph Light, and the full Nothing OS experience, just in a lighter package. For anyone who’s wanted a taste of Nothing’s design and OS without spending much, this one could be it.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
