Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Phone (3a): What’s the difference?

Nothing just launched the Phone (3a) Lite globally, and it’s meant for those seeking value for their money. Some of the phone’s highlights include a large display, triple cameras, and Dimensity performance. But how does it fare against the existing Nothing Phone (3a)? Let’s find out in this showdown.

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Phone (3a): Design and display

The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite looks identical to the standard Nothing Phone (3), but it looks way different from the Phone (3a), at least from the back. The Phone (3a) gets a horizontal camera island, whereas the Phone (3a) Lite features a vertical setup.

The signature Nothing aesthetics remain unchanged. The screen is exactly the same as the Phone (3a). You get a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. For protection, there’s Panda Glass, and you also get a crisp 1080p resolution for content consumption.

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Phone (3a): Cameras

Although the Phone (3a) Lite gets a different camera island, the setup stays the same, i.e., a triple-rear camera system. It’s led by a 50MP main sensor with OIS support and is paired with an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro.

The Phone (3a) has a 50MP main, another 50MP sensor for zoom shots, and an 8MP ultra-wide for group shots. Upfront, you get a 16MP on the Lite, which is again a downgrade over the 32MP sensor on the Phone (3a).

Regardless of different sensors, you get 4K video recording support on the rear camera. The front camera supports 1080p video recording.

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Phone (3a): Performance and battery

Performance is taken care of by the Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset inside the Phone (3a) Lite. The Phone (3a) gets a more powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. The Lite is limited to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The (3a) gets up to 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

ALSO READ: Nothing Phone (3a) Lite announced with 120Hz AMOLED display, Glyph Light

The (3a) Lite and (3a) have the same 5,000mAh battery, but the Lite gets 33W fast charging. The (3a) supports faster 50W fast charging.

As for software, both the Phone (3a) Lite and Phone (3a) run Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.5, and they both support three major OS upgrades.

Overall, for around Rs 24,000 globally, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is a cheaper alternative for those looking to get a truly unique Nothing experience. The Phone (3a), starting at Rs 25,000, on the other hand, is for those who want a maxed-out Phone without breaking the bank.

Out of the two, which is your pick? Do let us know in the comments below.