Nothing Japan announced the entry-level smartphone “Phone (3a) Lite” on January 7th. The price is 42,800 yen (tax included, the same below) and will be released on January 15th. This is the first entry model for the Nothing brand. On Rakuten Mobile, it will be sold for 32,890 yen.
The Phone (3a) Lite is the third and final model in the Phone 3 series, which will be launched from 2025 to early 2026. Following the flagship “Phone (3)” and the mid-range “Phone (3a)”, it is positioned as an entry-level model for a wider range of people. The sales channels will be limited to two official websites: Nothing’s official website “Nothing.tech” and Rakuten Mobile.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite。 From left to right: white, red (Rakuten Mobile only), black
Realization of see-through design in the 40,000 yen range
The exterior inherits the see-through design, which is the symbol of Nothing. The company has previously developed the “CMF Phone 2 Pro” from the sub-brand “CMF” in the entry price range, but did not adopt a see-through design. The Phone (3a) Lite emphasizes a sense of unity as a Nothing brand, and has achieved a design that allows the internal structure to be seen through from the back in the 40,000 yen range.
The back is made of hard glass. 3D curved glass finish with gently curved edges
The design direction has changed since the Phone (3), which was released at the end of 2024. Previously, the approach was to show the pattern, but after Phone (3), it has shifted to an expression that shows the interior architecturally and structurally. The Phone (3a) Lite adopts the same design philosophy, but with a simplified configuration.
Comparison of the back of the Phone 3 series. From left to right: Phone (3a) Lite, Phone (3a), Phone (3). The Lite has a simple structure, but it inherits the see-through design
The back is made of hard glass, and the edges are gently curved with a 3D curved glass finish. Yoshiro Kurosumi, managing director of Nothing Japan, explains, “We deliberately used hard glass in this price range to achieve both texture and comfort in the hand.”
Emphasis on the Japan market — Rakuten Mobile limited colors are also available
The standard colors of the main body are white and black. In addition to this, red has been prepared as a Rakuten Mobile limited color. Red is not available in global markets, including India, and can only be purchased on Rakuten Mobile in Japan.
Rakuten Mobile limited color red. Not available in global markets, including India
Mr. Kurozumi explains, “Red is a color that was in high demand in a user survey in Japan.” The Phone (3a), which was released in the summer of 2025, is also available in Rakuten Mobile-exclusive blue, and the favorable reception led to this measure. Blue was also developed only in Japan outside of India.
“Glyph Light” — A new expression created by cost optimization
The light emitting function on the back has been changed from the conventional “Glyph” to “Glyph Light”. The Phone (3) used a “Glyph matrix” with a circular panel placed in the upper right corner of the back, and the Phone (3a) was equipped with a “Glyph” with multiple LEDs lined up in a linear pattern. The Phone (3a) Lite has a simple configuration with a single small dot-shaped LED in the lower right corner of the back.
The “Glyph Light” is equipped with a small dot-shaped LED in the lower right corner of the back. Flashing on notification
The Glyph light supports flashing notifications of incoming calls and messages from registered contacts, as well as a countdown display when the camera is shooting. It will also continue to support “Essential Notifications”, which lights important notifications when the smartphone is placed with the screen down.
Mr. Kurozumi of Nothing Japan frankly admitted that the change to Glyph lights “Please think that the cost side has had an impact.” “When the price we offer goes down, we have to balance it with the specifications, and that’s one of the decisions,” he said.
Now, Nothing’s Glyph function now has three types: “Glyph” for flagships, “Glyph Matrix” with an enlarged display area, and “Glyph Light” for entry. The company said, “We are concerned that there may be confusion for users, and we want to communicate well.”
Specialized camera configuration for macro photography
The camera consists of a three-lens configuration: a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a macro camera that can be as close as 4 cm. The front camera will be 16 megapixels.
50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide-angle, 4cm macro three-eye configuration
The installation of a macro camera is said to be a decision based on user research. Mr. Kurozumi explains, “We found that the demand for macro photography is very high in daily life such as Instagram.” With the Phone (3), the minimum focusing distance has been shortened from about 10 cm to 4 cm, allowing for closer shooting of flower petals and food details.
A macro camera that can get up to 4 cm. Even the texture of the wall can be clearly captured
Note that the sub-brand CMF Phone 2 Pro is equipped with a telephoto function, and both brands deliberately separate the camera direction.
Key specs
The display is a 6.77-inch OLED with a maximum brightness of 3000 nits. The processor is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (8 cores, up to 2.5GHz) and 8GB of RAM as standard. It can be expanded up to 16GB with virtual RAM function. The built-in storage is 128GB, which can be expanded up to 2TB via a microSD card.
The battery has a capacity of 5000mAh and supports 33W fast charging. Wireless charging is not supported. The OS is powered by Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15, with OS updates provided for 3 years and security updates for 6 years. As a feature for Japan, it supports eSIM and Osaifu Keitai.
Nothing OS 3.5 home screen. Features a unique icon design made up of dots
Phone (3a) Lite Key Specs
As for AI functions, it is equipped with “essential keys” on the side. When you press this key, the “essential space” that records and organizes information is activated, and you can use functions that support daily life. The basic functions of the essential space are said to be the same as those of the higher models.
Press the essential key to record voice memos and other things
Uncompromising attitude even in entry
Nothing’s entry into the market is due to the success of Phone (3a) in Japan. Mr. Kurozumi recalled, “I was quite worried about whether or not to do an entry-level model,” and expressed confidence, saying, “I emphasized not compromising on design and not lacking functions for Japan.
Nothing Japan Managing Director Yoshiro Kurosumi
Mr. Kurozumi said, “Japan is one of Nothing’s strategic markets, and the business composition ratio is also large.” Furthermore, “Feedback from Japan users, media, and experts is probably one of the highest quality in the world, and it is meaningful for Nothing’s global expansion to study hard, including harsh feedback,” and positions the Japan market not only as a sales destination but also as a source of feedback for product development.
The company defines the mid-range as the late 50,000 yen range to the 60,000 yen range, and the entry into the 40,000 yen range. As the impact of soaring parts prices and the depreciation of the yen intensifies, the fact that the price of 42,800 yen has achieved see-through design, hard glass, and support for Osaifu mobile phones can be said to be one answer to the balance between cost and quality.
Prior to the start of sales, a touch and try event will be held at Daikanyama T-SITE in collaboration with Rakuten Mobile on January 11th. A Rakuten Mobile contract booth will also be set up at the venue.
