- The Japanese version of the “Phone (3a) Lite”—the new addition to the “Phone (3)” series and Nothing’s first entry-level smartphone announced by Nothing Japan on Wednesday, January 7, 2026—has finally been released today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
- The domestic version of the “Phone (3a) Lite” is available in two standard colors, “White” and “Black,” and comes in a single model featuring 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage. However, a new “Red” color is also available exclusively through Rakuten Mobile.
- The price is 42,800 JPY (including tax) on the official Nothing website, while Rakuten Mobile offers it at a more affordable 32,890 JPY (including tax).
Nothing Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of the British venture “Nothing Technologies Limited (Nothing),” announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, that the Japanese version of its first entry-level smartphone, the “Phone (3a) Lite,” has finally been released today, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The domestic version of the “Phone (3a) Lite” is limited to one hardware configuration: 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage, available in “White” and “Black.” However, a new “Red” color is also part of the lineup exclusively through Rakuten Mobile, effectively making it a three-color range.
As it is localized for the Japanese market, it features FeliCa for “Osaifu-Keitai” support and is compatible with eSIM. It is worth noting that while the “Phone (3a) Lite” is available internationally with an 8GB RAM + 256GB storage option, that specific model is not part of the Japanese lineup.
The price for the Japanese version of the “Phone (3a) Lite” is 42,800 JPY (tax included) on the official Nothing website and 32,890 JPY (tax included) at Rakuten Mobile.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
The “Phone (3a) Lite,” an Android smartphone from the British venture “Nothing Technologies Limited (Nothing),” is the new addition to the “Phone (3)” series and the brand’s first entry-level model.
Despite the name “Phone (3a) Lite,” its defining feature is that it inherits the design and functionality of the true flagship “Phone (3)” rather than being just a budget version of the “Phone (3a).” The device features a glass body and is IP54 water and dust resistant. It combines durability with a premium feel rarely found in entry-level models.
The back of the device introduces “Glyph Light,” an evolved version of Nothing’s unique “Glyph Interface” lighting system. “Glyph Light” includes features such as “Flip to Glyph” for silent notifications when the phone is face down, “Essential Notifications” to highlight alerts from key contacts, and “Camera Countdown” light for group photos.
The “Phone (3a) Lite” also features the “Essential Key,” an AI-utilizing button first introduced in the “Phone (3a),” located on the side below the power button. The “Essential Key” supports three actions: [Single Press], [Long Press], and [Double Press]. A [Single Press] quickly saves captions from websites or images displayed on the screen; a [Long Press] starts a voice recording; and a [Double Press] opens “Essential Space”—a virtual personal space that automatically organizes and catalogs saved captions and recordings into “Smart Collections.” It also features “Essential Search,” allowing users to search through saved content even when offline.
The primary specifications of the “Phone (3a) Lite” include a 6.77-inch (2,392 × 1,080) Full HD+ AMOLED display with 3,000 nits brightness, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB / 256GB internal storage, and a 5,000mAh battery supporting 33W fast charging and 5W wired reverse charging. It runs “Nothing OS 3.5” based on Android 15. In early 2026, it is scheduled to receive “Nothing OS 4.0” based on the next-generation Android 16.
The RAM naturally supports the “RAM Booster” feature, allowing expansion by up to +8GB (for a total of up to 16GB). Additionally, Nothing promises three years of major Android OS updates and six years of security updates from the launch date.
The camera setup consists of a triple rear camera (50MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro) and a 16MP center punch-hole front camera.
Functionality-wise, it includes “Smart Drawer” for automatic app organization, “Private Space” for protecting personal files, and “App Locker” for locking individual apps. It is even equipped with an advanced liquid cooling system to handle high-load processing and ensure gaming stability.
Globally, the “Phone (3a) Lite” is available in “White” and “Black” with two configurations: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage. However, the Japanese version is limited to the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model, which includes FeliCa “Osaifu-Keitai” and eSIM support.
Furthermore, the Japanese lineup exclusively includes the “Red” color, which is a Rakuten Mobile exclusive for the domestic market.
Key Specifications
| ■ OS |
| ・Nothing OS 3.5 (Based on Android 15) |
| ■ Size |
| ・164 × 78 × 8.3 mm |
| ■ Weight |
| ・199g |
| ■ Display |
| ・6.77-inch (2,392 × 1,080) Full HD+, AMOLED |
| ■ Processor |
| ・MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro |
| ■ RAM |
| ・8GB, RAM Booster support (up to +8GB) |
| ■ Internal Storage |
| ・128GB |
| ■ Rear Camera |
| ・50MP Main + 8MP Ultra-Wide + 2MP Macro |
| ■ Front Camera |
| ・16MP center punch-hole camera |
| ■ Wi-Fi |
| ・802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax |
| ■ Bluetooth |
| ・5.4 |
| ■ Battery |
| ・5,000mAh, 33W Fast Charging / 5W Wired Reverse Charging |
| ■ Others |
| ・Dual SIM (nano SIM × 2 *eSIM supported in Japan only), USB Type-C, Fingerprint sensor, Essential Key, NFC, FeliCa (Osaifu-Keitai support) |
| ■ Colors |
| ・White / Black / Red (Rakuten Mobile Exclusive) |
| ■ Mobile Network |
| ・2G: GSM Quad-band ・3G: WCDMA B1 / 2 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 19 ・4G: B1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 26 / 28 / 38 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 48 / 66 / 71 ・5G: Sub6 n1 / n2 / n3 / n5 / n7 / n8 / n12 / n20 / n25 / n28 / n40 / n41 / n66 / n71 / n77 / n78 |
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