Entry-Level Nothing Offers Extra Flexibility

The long-rumoured Nothing Phone (3a) Lite has now officially been launched, delivering an unexpectedly strong feature set for a budget device. The announcement confirms a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth motion and a premium visual experience in this price segment.

Under the hood, the Phone (3a) Lite is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset built on a 4nm process, anchored by 8GB of physical RAM with up to a further 8GB of virtual RAM for improved multitasking. One of the standout features is its microSD slot, supporting storage expansion up to 2TB—an increasingly rare offering in modern smartphones.

On the camera front the device includes a 50MP main sensor, paired with an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro unit, plus a 16MP front-facing shooter for selfies. The battery is rated at 5,000mAh and supports 33W wired fast-charging, promising solid endurance and a quick recharge when needed.

In terms of software, the Phone (3a) Lite runs Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.5 out of the box, and carries promises of three years of major Android updates plus six years of security patches—putting it on par with higher-end models in terms of longevity. Dual-5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and a liquid-cooling system round out the connectivity and performance list.

Pricing in the UK has been confirmed at £249 for the 8GB + 128GB model and £279 for the 8GB + 256GB variant, with availability beginning from 29 October through Nothing’s official channels and select retail outlets. The base price places it squarely in the competitive sub-£300 market, with specs that punch above its tier.

For UK buyers looking for value, the inclusion of a 120Hz AMOLED panel and microSD expansion are genuine differentiators. Many rivals require you to pay more to get similar displays or ditch the expansion slot entirely. The transparent design styling and minimalist Glyph lighting also give it a distinctive look within its price range.

Of course, the real test will come in day-to-day performance, camera output and how the fast-charging and battery life hold up in real-world use. But on paper, the Phone (3a) Lite offers an excellent mix of features for the money and could well become a strong contender in the budget smartphone market.