After a disastrous outing with the premium Phone 3, Nothing is going back to its roots again. Just before the 2025 year wraps up, Nothing is now coming up with another device in the Phone 3 series, and this time, it will be targetted at the lower end of the mobile phone spectrum. Nothing is calling it the Phone 3a Lite and is essentially positioning it as the cheaper version of the cheaper alternative to the Phone 3 flagship.
The Phone 3a Lite is scheduled for a global unveiling on October 29 at 1 PM GMT, with Nothing hinting at this model being an entry-level model for the masses in high-growth markets like India. Although the specs and features are yet to be revealed, rumours suggest that the Phone 3a Lite could be a Nothing-skinned version of the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Nothing Phone 3a Lite: Where will this phone sit in the brand’s lineup
Nothing confirmed that the Phone 3a Lite will be the brand’s first dedicated entry-level smartphone. It is expected to maintain Nothing’s signature ‘transparent design’, along with the signature Glyph LED light for notifications. However, the cost-cutting has led to Nothing redesigning a couple of elements to keep it easy on the wallet.
A short teaser video released by Nothing shows a single flashing LED light, suggesting the inclusion of a simplified Glyph Matrix interface — a signature feature for the brand. The device will be available in classic black and white colours at launch.
Phone 3a Lite: Specifications and pricing
Leaks and benchmark listings provide a clear picture of the Phone (3a) Lite’s internal specifications. The device was recently spotted in a Geekbench listing, confirming a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM. This combination is almost identical to the setup found on the CMF Phone 2 Pro.
In terms of pricing, the Phone (3a) Lite is projected to retail for less than Rs 20,000 for the base 8GB RAM/128GB storage configuration. This aggressive pricing could help Nothing place it directly against established competitors in the budget space, like Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and Motorola.
Will this be a reskinned CMF Phone 2 Pro?
Our best guesses are pinned on this idea – a reskinned CMF Phone 2 Pro. Nothing has been following a conventional trajectory with its budget phone lately and the Phone 3a Lite could help the brand close the year on a higher note as far as sales figures and market share are concerned. The brand was already involved in a controversy after the Nothing OS 4 announcement, in which the company decided to offer pre-installed apps and the Glance wallpaper service on the lockscreen —two additions that go against the brand’s previously declared promises of a fuss-free and no bloatware UI.
