- Nothing Japan has announced that the Japanese version of the “Phone (3a) Lite”—the brand’s first entry-level smartphone and a new addition to the “Phone (3)” series—will be released on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
- The Japanese version of the “Phone (3a) Lite” will be available in two colors, “White” and “Black,” and will come in a single configuration with 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage.
- Price: 42,800 yen (tax included).
Nothing Japan, the Japanese subsidiary of the British venture company Nothing Technologies Limited (Nothing), announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the Japanese release of the “Phone (3a) Lite.” Originally announced overseas on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, this model serves as the brand’s first entry-level smartphone and a new lineup within the “Phone (3)” series, with the official launch set for Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The Japanese version of the “Phone (3a) Lite” will be available in two colors, “White” and “Black,” and only in the 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage configuration. While an 8GB RAM + 256GB internal storage model exists in overseas markets, it will not be part of the lineup in Japan.
However, the Japanese edition features a surprise: a new “Red” color available exclusively through Rakuten Mobile. This Rakuten Mobile exclusive “Red” is currently a Japan-only color option.
The Japanese version of the “Phone (3a) Lite” is priced at 42,800 yen (tax included). Tailored for the Japanese market, it supports FeliCa-equipped “Osaifu-Keitai” (mobile payments) and is also compatible with eSIM.
Pre-orders began on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, through the Nothing Japan official website and Rakuten Mobile.
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
The “Phone (3a) Lite” is an Android smartphone from the British venture company Nothing Technologies Limited (Nothing). It stands as the brand’s first entry-level model and a new addition to the “Phone (3)” series.
Despite the “Lite” moniker, it is characterized by inheriting the design and features of the true flagship “Phone (3)” rather than simply being a budget version of the “Phone (3a).” The device features a glass body and is IP54 rated for water and dust resistance. It combines durability with a premium feel that belies its entry-level status.
The rear of the device introduces the “Glyph Light,” an evolved version of Nothing’s unique “Glyph Interface.” The “Glyph Light” system includes features such as “Flip to Glyph” for silent notifications, “Essential Notifications” to highlight alerts from key contacts, and a “Camera Countdown” light for group photos.
The “Phone (3a) Lite” also features the “Essential Key,” an AI-integrated button first introduced with the “Phone (3a),” located below the power button on the side of the device. The “Essential Key” supports three operations: [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 voice recordings into “Smart Collections.” It also includes an “Essential Search” feature to find content saved in “Essential Space” even when offline.
The core specifications of the “Phone (3a) Lite” include a 6.77-inch (2,392 × 1,080) Full HD+ AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro processor, 8GB RAM, and 128GB / 256GB of internal storage. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery supporting 33W fast charging and 5W wired reverse charging, and runs “Nothing OS 3.5” based on Android 15. “Nothing OS 4.0,” based on the next-generation “Android 16,” is scheduled for rollout in early 2026.
The RAM naturally supports the “RAM Booster” feature, allowing for an expansion of up to +8GB (for a total of up to 16GB). Additionally, the company has committed to three years of major Android OS updates and six years of security updates from the time of launch.
The camera setup consists of a triple rear camera system—a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera—along with a 16MP center punch-hole front camera.
In terms of functionality, 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 ensure stability during high-load processing and gaming.
While the “Phone (3a) Lite” is available globally in “White” and “Black” with two storage options (8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB), the Japanese version will be limited to a single 8GB RAM + 128GB internal storage model, featuring FeliCa “Osaifu-Keitai” and eSIM support.
Furthermore, the Japanese version includes the Rakuten Mobile exclusive “Red” color as a Japan-only addition to the lineup.
Key Specifications
| ■ OS |
| ・Nothing OS 3.5 (Based on Android 15) |
| ■ Dimensions |
| ・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 compatible (up to +8GB) |
| ■ Internal Storage |
| ・128GB |
| ■ Rear Camera |
| ・50MP Main + 8MP Ultra-wide + 2MP Macro |
| ■ Front Camera |
| ・16MP Center Punch-hole |
| ■ Wi-Fi |
| ・802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax |
| ■ Bluetooth |
| ・5.4 |
| ■ Battery |
| ・5,000mAh, 33W Fast Charging / 5W Wired Reverse Charging |
| ■ Other |
| ・Dual SIM (nano SIM × 2 *eSIM supported in Japan only), USB Type-C, Fingerprint Sensor, Essential Key, NFC, FeliCa (Osaifu-Keitai compatible) |
| ■ 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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