Nothing 3a Lite Review: A Budget Phone That Gets the Basics Right
Nothing Phone 3a Lite delivers stylish design, smooth performance, solid cameras and clean software at an affordable price, making it a strong budget pick.
Nothing Phone 3a Lite features a transparent design, AMOLED display, and 50MP OIS camera in an affordable budget package.
Nothing continues its aggressive run in 2025 with the launch of its most affordable smartphone yet — the Nothing Phone 3a Lite. Priced at ₹20,999 in India, the device aims to strengthen the brand’s presence in the highly competitive budget segment while retaining the signature Nothing identity.
Design and Build
The 3a Lite stays true to Nothing’s design philosophy. It features:
A transparent back with visible screws
Minimal, clean aesthetics
A single glyph-style LED at the bottom
Panda Glass protection on both sides
Plastic frame with a premium finish
IP54 rating for splash resistance
The phone weighs 199g and measures 8.2mm thick, offering a balanced in-hand feel. For its price category, the 3a Lite stands out as one of the most visually distinctive budget phones in the market.
Display
Nothing has focused heavily on the screen experience, equipping the device with a:
6.77-inch AMOLED display
Uniform bezels for a premium look
120Hz adaptive refresh rate
1080p resolution
3000 nits peak HDR brightness
2160Hz PWM dimming
While Netflix HDR support is missing, overall viewing quality on OTT apps and YouTube remains impressive with vibrant colours and excellent contrast.
Performance
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, a chipset also used in the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Key performance features include:
Smooth multitasking
Stable RAM management
Cool thermals even under load
8GB RAM + RAM Booster (up to 16GB effective)
128GB/256GB storage with microSD expansion
Gaming is a surprising strength — BGMI runs at 120fps and COD Mobile at 90fps with no significant heating.
Battery
Packed with a 5000mAh battery, the 3a Lite easily lasts:
Over a day on regular use
Nearly two days on light-to-moderate use
Camera
Nothing equips the phone with a capable camera setup for its price:
50MP main camera with OIS (Samsung 1/1.57-inch sensor)
8MP ultra-wide lens
2MP macro camera
Camera performance in real-world use:
Sharp and natural daylight shots
Strong dynamic range
Clean portraits
Impressive low-light and Night Mode performance
The 16MP front camera delivers clear, balanced selfies — suitable for students, vloggers, and casual users.
Software
Nothing OS, based on Android 15, remains one of the cleanest Android experiences with:
Minimal UI
Smart Drawer
Essential Space
Fun widgets
Private Space and App Locker
3 years of Android updates + 6 years of security patches
However, the presence of pre-installed third-party apps may disappoint users expecting a completely bloat-free experience.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone 3a Lite delivers a strong blend of:
Stylish design
Reliable performance
Solid camera output
Smooth software
Attractive price
Despite a price tag of only ₹20,999, this phone is still one of the最 well-rounded and distinctly budgeted phones. To those looking for a unique-looking, powerful, and user-friendly phone that does not go over the budget, the Nothing 3a Lite is truly the best option.
