November 4, 2025, 3:13 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
After the release of the Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro in the spring, Nothing is now introducing the (3a) Lite. The smartphone stands out visually–and there are significant differences inside compared to the other models. For a simple reason: The Phone (3a) Lite is essentially a repackaged Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro.
In principle, there’s nothing wrong with the Phone (3a) Lite. Priced at 249 euros, it offers solid features with a few minor compromises, but it delivers on the core points. No surprise, as the manufacturer has already shown with the CMF Phone 2 Pro that it knows how to make affordable smartphones. CMF is also part of Nothing but is primarily budget-oriented. So, it’s not a bad idea to reintroduce the same device with the distinctive Nothing design language. If only the manufacturer hadn’t made some major blunders in executing this idea.
Copy-Paste in the Features
The entire feature set of the Phone (3a) Lite is 99 percent identical to the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Same chip, same storage, same display, same battery. There’s nothing wrong with that, as the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro has proven more than adequate for everyday use. With 128 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM, the smartphone isn’t a trailblazer, but it should be equipped for the next few years. With a capacity of 4,920 milliamp hours, the built-in battery lasts almost 54 hours per charge cycle, according to the EU register.
The absolute highlight, however, is the brilliant 6.77-inch AMOLED display. Not only does it have uniform bezels on all four sides, but with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, it matches the more expensive Phone (3a) Pro. It’s a smart move to allocate most of the smartphone budget to the display–after all, it’s the component we actually interact with.
Typical Nothing Design in the Phone (3a) Lite
To align the Phone (3a) Lite with the other (3a) models, Nothing attempted to adjust the design on the back accordingly. This means: Under the glass back is a layer composed of various shapes and colors, intended to give the impression of a transparent case–even though the actual interior remains hidden. This sandwich model, however, makes the Lite half a millimeter thicker. The removable back of the CMF Phone 2 Pro is also lost in the process.
At least: Under the glass sits a notification LED, which replaces the Nothing-typical Glyph Interface in the Phone (3a) Lite. Although the light is still called “Glyph Light,” it has little to do with the customizable LED array of the other models. You can at least set different Morse code patterns for individual contacts. But before deciphering them each time, it’s faster to check directly on the smartphone. So, Nothing somewhat achieves the goal of reducing screen time. Why is another LED needed on the back–there’s already the LED flash here. In the iPhone, for example, this also serves as a timer for self-timers and as a notification light.
Nothing Phone 2 Review: How Good Is the Smartphone with an LED Back Really?
Nothing Phone (2a) – Affordable Mid-Range Smartphone Reviewed
Compromises in the Camera
With the Lite, Nothing makes a mistake that many budget smartphone manufacturers make. The company itself has shown with the CMF Phone 2 Pro that a decent triple camera is possible in the price segment under 250 euros. Although the arrangement of the lenses on the back of the Phone (3a) Lite is exactly the same, Nothing has replaced the 50-MP telephoto camera with a weak 2-MP macro camera.
At least the 50-MP main and the 8-MP ultra-wide-angle cameras remain. There’s no optical image stabilization, but Nothing has now fine-tuned its photo capabilities so well that decent pictures are produced in good lighting conditions.
Prices and Availability
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is now available on the website nothing.tech and at MediaMarktSaturn. For 249 euros, the device is available in black and white with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage.