Nothing’s new Phone 3a Lite brings the brand’s distinctive design language to the mid-range, priced at €249 (about Rs. 25,000). In a short hands-on session, the phone impresses by preserving the Phone 3’s visual identity while making sensible compromises to hit a more accessible price point.
Design
Nothing keeps its trademark look with a transparent-inspired rear, an asymmetric triple-camera layout, and a clean, minimal aesthetic. The front and back use glass with Panda Glass protection, giving a premium feel uncommon at this price. The frame is plastic, which helps reduce weight and cost without feeling cheap. At 199 grams and 8.2 mm thick the phone feels balanced and comfortable for everyday use. The IP54 rating offers basic splash resistance for daily mishaps. The Essential Key returns as a customizable hardware shortcut for actions like opening the camera or flashlight.
Display
The Phone 3a Lite sports a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in very smooth scrolling and an immersive viewing area thanks to uniform bezels. The panel supports 2160Hz PWM dimming for better low-light comfort and promises high peak brightness—3000 nits and 1300 nits HBM—so visibility in bright conditions should be strong. Full validation under harsh sunlight will require longer testing, but first impressions of colour and fluidity are positive.
Performance and Software
Under the hood sits the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD up to 2TB. That combination should be more than capable for daily multitasking and casual gaming. The phone runs Nothing OS 3.5 on top of Android 15 and Nothing promises three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, which improves long-term value.
Camera
The Phone 3a Lite packs a 50MP f/1.9 primary camera with OIS, an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, and a 2MP f/2.4 macro shooter. Selfies are handled by a 16MP f/2.5 front-facing camera. The rear setup can capture 4K video at 30fps, while the front camera records 1080p at 30fps.
Connectivity
Connectivity includes USB Type-C 2.0, Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC. Satellite and location services supported are GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BDS and QZSS.
Battery and Charging
A 5000 mAh battery powers the Phone 3a Lite, which should comfortably deliver a full day of heavy use and possibly longer with moderate usage. Early impressions show efficient battery management. The phone supports 33W fast charging, but Nothing does not include a charger in the box, so buyers will need an existing USB-C adapter or to purchase one separately.
Price and Availability
The Phone 3a Lite has not launched in India yet. With a global price of €249, a local price near Rs. 20,000 is plausible. If Nothing keeps the India pricing close to that range, the 3a Lite could be a compelling mid-range option thanks to its premium design, solid display, clean software, and reliable everyday performance.
Verdict
The Phone 3a Lite successfully translates Nothing’s flagship styling into a budget-friendlier package without overreaching. It won’t match flagship performance, but for buyers who prioritise design, a bright high-refresh OLED, long software support, and day-long battery life, it’s an attractive mid-range contender.
