Nothing Phone 3A Lite: A Minimalist Take on Glyph Lights
Nothing is back with a new smartphone, the Phone 3A Lite, and it’s bringing a fresh perspective to its signature Glyph Lights. While the flagship Phone 3 ditched the iconic light display, the 3A Lite embraces it—though in a more streamlined fashion. This affordable phone is launching today in the UK and Europe, but unfortunately, it won’t be available in the US.
A Single, Smart Glyph
The Phone 3A Lite features a single, small, round LED in the bottom-right corner, a design choice Nothing says was “inspired by classic notification lights.” Despite its minimalist approach, this single light still supports many of the same features as the more complex Glyph Light systems. Users can flip the phone face-down to receive silent, light-only notifications, set custom light sequences for specific contacts, and even use the light as a visual countdown for the camera timer.
Design and Features
The Phone 3A Lite maintains the classic Nothing aesthetic with its availability in black or white, a semi-transparent rear, and a single red accent. The asymmetric camera layout might not win over everyone, but it offers a unique look. Interestingly, the back of the phone has a design element that looks like it could open for easy repairs. However, according to senior global PR manager Lewis Hopkins of Nothing, it’s just a “simulated battery design.”
Under the Hood
Powering the Phone 3A Lite is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G, paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. A microSD card slot supports up to 2TB of additional storage. The 5,000mAh battery should provide decent battery life, although the 33W wired charging isn’t the fastest. The phone boasts a large 6.77-inch 120Hz OLED screen and an IP54 rating. The main camera boasts a surprisingly large 1/1.57-inch sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, suggesting strong photography capabilities. The 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and the macro lens complement the main camera, and a 16-megapixel selfie camera completes the setup.
Availability and Pricing
The Phone 3A Lite is available today in the UK and Europe. The 128GB model costs £249 / €249 (around $310), while the 256GB version is priced at £279 / €279 (around $350). It runs Nothing OS 3.5, based on last year’s Android 15. Nothing promises three years of major Android updates and six years of security support.
Source: The Verge
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