Is Nothing Phone 3a Lite Worth It? Specs, Price, and Alternatives
The Nothing Phone 3a Lite is priced at $249, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro offers superior camera capabilities for the same cost. This article compares the specifications, design, and value of Nothing’s most affordable phone.
Pricing and Positioning
Nothing has introduced the Phone 3a Lite at £249 / AU$439 (around $330), marking its first budget device under the main brand rather than the CMF sub-label. The phone features a 6.77-inch AMOLED screen, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, and a triple camera setup including Nothing’s first macro sensor on a branded phone.
Camera Comparison
The company also sells the CMF Phone 2 Pro with nearly the same price point in the UK and Australia, which includes a 50MP telephoto camera. In contrast, the 3a Lite replaces this with a 2MP macro lens.
Carl Pei, co-founder of Nothing, has criticized excessive camera modules on rival phones. The Phone (1) avoided them completely, and even the CMF Phone 1’s 2MP depth sensor served a clear purpose. The 3a’s 8MP ultrawide lens also offers practical benefits.
Adding a low-resolution macro sensor to the 3a Lite while competing with a better-specced model in the same lineup seems inconsistent with Nothing’s original philosophy.
Design and Build
The Phone 3a Lite features Nothing's signature transparent glass back, available in black or white. The white version offers more visual contrast, and both models feel sturdy at 199 grams and 8.3 mm thickness. The frame is plastic with IP54 splash protection and Panda Glass display glass.
Summary
The Phone 3a Lite targets budget-conscious buyers but faces tough competition even within Nothing’s lineup, raising questions about its camera choices and overall value.
"For a company that built its reputation criticising unnecessary camera modules, the decision to add a low-resolution macro lens while positioning against its own better-specced product seems counterintuitive."
Author’s summary: The Nothing Phone 3a Lite offers an entry-level experience with solid design, but its camera setup and pricing face strong competition even from within the brand.