**Received as part of the Nothing Community Review Program.**
I want to start by saying that after using this device as my main phone for a couple of weeks, I found myself asking: is this phone really that good, or have my day-to-day needs dropped significantly? For everyday use, social media, gaming, and music, this phone proved more than enough for me.
Design and Build Quality
Compared to Nothing’s previous designs, the 3a Lite has a much simpler look, yet it still keeps the same clear-back signature as the rest of the family.
The Glyph, another iconic Nothing feature, is also present. Since this is a Lite version, Nothing decided to include just a small LED on the lower part of the back… which, surprisingly, I like a lot. It reminds me of the LED notifications on one of my very first mobile phones.
As for how it feels in the hand, I have nothing to complain about. It feels more premium than many devices in this price range. And it’s not just me—several people told me it feels more expensive than its actual starting price of £249.
Display
The display matches the larger 3a Pro model: a vibrant, colourful 6.77" AMOLED panel. It’s clear and bright, and even in daylight I had no issues using it.
It comes with a pre-installed screen protector that I removed because it attracted dust far too easily. While the phone may only use Panda glass, it still seems pretty strong against scratches, so I’m not too worried about it.
Cameras
The main 50MP sensor performs well in good lighting, producing sharp and natural-looking photos comparable to more expensive mid-range devices. Portrait mode works well, but low-light performance is weaker—photos can blur and colours drop off noticeably.
The 2MP macro camera, replacing the telephoto lens found on the CMF 2 Pro, is honestly close to useless. In my experience, using the main camera gave better results even for close-up shots.
For video, it supports up to 4K 30fps, which is more than enough for casual users.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek 7300 Pro chipset, the device benefits from solid software optimisation. Day-to-day tasks (maps, music, messaging, social media) run smoothly. There was some mild lag compared to flagship Nothing phones, but this has been fixed with the latest OS update.
The device ships with Nothing OS 3.5—clean, fast, minimal, and consistent, though features like Essential Search and call recording are still missing for now.
Gaming made me realise how far budget chipsets have come. The 7300 Pro handled Genshin Impact on max settings at a locked 60fps. Loading times are a bit long, but actual gameplay stays smooth even after 30 minutes.
Battery Life
Battery performance is excellent. The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day or more of mixed use. I regularly ended busy days with 45–60% battery left, which is impressive at this price.
Charging is 33W wired, giving about 50% in 20 minutes.
Other Features
microSD expansion up to 2TB (uses the second SIM slot)
NFC included
No wireless charging
No stereo speakers (sound is a bit thin)
IP54 dust and splash resistance
The microSD slot is a rare and welcome addition, especially for storage-heavy users.
Software and Experience
Nothing OS 3.5 stands out for its slick animations and consistent design. Essential Space, for on-device notes, is a nice addition.
The inclusion of pre-installed apps (including Facebook) sparked criticism from the community. But this is where Nothing truly shines—they listened. Since 3rd November, users can fully remove all preinstalled apps, including those from Meta.
Who Should Buy It
The Nothing 3a Lite is ideal for:
It’s not the best choice for photography enthusiasts, but it handles everyday tasks, media, and gaming surprisingly well.
Verdict
At £249 (€249), the Nothing Phone 3a Lite is a well-balanced budget phone that delivers the Nothing experience without compromising the essentials. It’s not a flagship or a camera powerhouse, but for the price, it genuinely overdelivers.
