Nothing Phone 3a Lite vs Phone 3a: Price, camera, performance, display, design and more
Launching Oct 29 in India, priced around Rs 20,000.
Features Dimensity 7300 chip, 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display.
New LED rear light design; 50MP triple camera setup with 16MP selfie.
The UK-based tech brand Nothing has expanded its smartphone portfolio in India once again. After launching the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro earlier this year, the company has now introduced the Lite variant, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite 5G. The new model will target the budget-conscious crowd looking for Nothing’s distinctive design language and smooth user experience. While the company hasn’t revealed the official pricing yet, early hints suggest it could be priced under Rs 20,000, making it the most affordable entry in the Phone (3a) lineup. To recall, the Nothing Phone (3a) was launched in India at Rs 22,999. Here’s a detailed comparison between the two to help you decide which one to buy.
SurveyNothing Phone (3a) Lite 5G vs Nothing Phone (3a) 5G: Design and display
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite sticks to the brand’s hallmark semi-transparent aesthetic, though it’s noticeably more minimal compared to the standard Phone (3a). You still get the signature clean design, but the Lite version tones things down with fewer glyph light elements and a simpler vertical dual-camera setup, unlike the horizontal camera island on the Phone (3a).
When it comes to the display, both phones share the same 6.77-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 3,000 nits of peak brightness, protected by Panda Glass. They’re also HDR10+ certified, ensuring vibrant colours and crisp contrast. So, from a visual standpoint, there’s no compromise on the Lite version.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite 5G vs Nothing Phone (3a) 5G: Cameras
The Phone (3a) Lite keeps things straightforward with a 50MP Samsung main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a third mystery sensor that Nothing hasn’t detailed yet. The front camera is a 16MP shooter capable of 1080p video recording.
The Phone (3a), however, comes with a dual 50MP setup comprising a main and a telephoto sensor along with an additional 8MP ultrawide sensor. You also get a 32MP front camera. Both models support 4K video recording on the rear cameras.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite 5G vs Nothing Phone (3a) 5G: Performance and software
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is powered by a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip, paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Nothing Phone (3a), meanwhile, features the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, which delivers good performance, graphics handling, and multitasking stability. It also offers configurations with up to 12GB RAM. Both smartphones run on Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15, and come with a promise of three major OS updates.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite 5G vs Nothing Phone (3a) 5G: Battery and charging
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite, Phone (3a), and CMF Phone 2 Pro all feature a 5,000mAh battery, but with different charging speeds. The Lite version supports 33W fast charging, while the Phone (3a) bumps that up to 50W for quicker top-ups. Like other Nothing devices, none of these models include a charger in the box, so users will need to buy one separately.
Also read: Oppo Reno 13 price drops by over Rs 11,700 on Amazon: How to grab this deal
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite 5G vs Nothing Phone (3a) 5G: Pricing
In India, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is expected to cost under Rs 20,000, positioning it below the Nothing Phone (3a), which was launched at a price of Rs 22,999.
Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile