Since debuting its very first smartphone in 2022, Carl Pei’s Nothing Tech has had no shortage of releases, with the ultimate goal of shaking up the tech industry with thoughtful design and function. While the brand’s earbuds and headphones (and smartwatches under its CMF sub-label) have certainly caught our attention, it’s their Phone series — now on its 3rd generation — that remains their most intriguing prospect.
Now offering a new Lite variant of its entry-level Phone (3a), Nothing has brought back a key feature from its past models.
A Simpler Approach to Glyph
After the Phone 3 ditched the signature Glyph Interface LED strips for a dot matrix display, the 3a Lite goes the opposite direction. There’s just one circular LED positioned in the bottom right corner — what Nothing calls the “Glyph Light” — and it’s basically a throwback to those notification lights we used to see on early Android devices. The difference here is it still supports the lineup’s Flip to Glyph feature for silent alerts, customizable light sequences for specific contacts, and a camera countdown timer. It’s pared down, but it works.
The rest of the design sticks with Nothing’s transparent aesthetic, available in black or white with the divisive asymmetric camera layout. The glass body sits over an aluminum frame, and while it’s IP54 rated for dust and water resistance, that’s a step down from the flagship Phone 3’s IP55 rating. Still, for the price point, it’s acceptable.
Cam You Dig It?
The triple-camera system is surprisingly capable for a budget phone. The 50MP main camera uses a 1/1.57-inch Samsung sensor — the same size you’d find in higher-end models — which captures 64% more light than typical sensors in this class. Nothing also equipped it with the TrueLens Engine 4.0 pipeline from the Phone 3, so you’re getting flagship-level processing here. The 8MP ultrawide and macro lens round out the rear array, with a 16MP selfie camera up front. It shoots 4K at 30fps and 1080p slow-motion at 120fps.
The 6.77-inch AMOLED display is another highlight. At 3,000 nits peak HDR brightness and 1,300 nits outdoor brightness, it’s more than visible in direct sunlight. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate keeps things smooth, and the 2,160Hz PWM dimming reduces flicker at lower brightness levels for extended use.
Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip is paired with 8GB of physical RAM (expandable to 16GB with virtual RAM) and comes in 128GB or 256GB storage options. There’s also a microSD slot supporting up to 2TB, which is rare to see these days. The 5,000mAh battery should get you close to two days of use, and 33W fast charging hits 50% in about 20 minutes.
The Software Side
Phone 3a Lite ships with Nothing OS 3.5 on top of Android 15, with Nothing OS 4.0 coming in early 2026. The company promises three years of major Android updates and six years of security patches. Nothing also carries over features like the AI-powered Essential Space for organizing notes and media, plus the Essential Key button from the flagship models.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
Display: 6.77″ AMOLED, 1080 × 2392 (387 PPI)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4nm, 8-core, up to 2.5 GHz)
RAM/Storage: 8GB + 128GB / 8GB + 256GB (expandable via microSD up to 2TB)
Cameras: 50MP main (1/1.57″ sensor), 8MP ultrawide, macro; 16MP front
Battery: 5,000mAh with 33W fast charging
OS: Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15 base); Nothing OS 4.0 coming in 2026
Water Resistance: IP54
Colors: Black, White
Pricing & Availability
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is available now in Europe and the UK, starting at €249 (~$289) for the 8GB + 128GB model, or €279 (~$324) for the 8GB + 256GB version. Unfortunately, it won’t be released in North America.
Recap
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
Nothing’s new Phone (3a) Lite brings back a single LED notification light — basically a streamlined version of their signature Glyph Interface — while packing a surprisingly solid 50MP camera system and bright AMOLED display into a sub-$300 phone, even though it’s not available in the U.S.
