Charging Performance of the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite

The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite features a 5,000 mAh battery and supports 33 W wired fast charging, making it one of the more competitive choices in its price segment. Official data from the manufacturer states that the device can reach about 50% charge in roughly 20 minutes.

Independent tests report slightly different figures. One review found the phone reached 50% in around 25 minutes and a full charge in approximately 75 minutes. Another source cited around 30 minutes for 50% and 75-80 minutes for full charge.

In a UK usage context: topping the battery from near empty to usable halfway within 20-30 minutes is a solid performance for a budget phone. If you plug it in during a short coffee break you’ll have enough charge for hours of typical use.

Achieving a full charge of 5,000 mAh in about 1¼ hours means overnight charging remains practical, and topping up before bed still leaves plenty of power for the next day. It also gives peace of mind for commuters or UK travellers who might plug in briefly between errands.

However, it’s not the fastest charging available even among mid-range devices in the UK market. Some rivals support 50 W or even 65 W speeds, which will charge faster. If charging speed is your priority, you might consider those alternatives.

Crucially, as with all fast-charging systems, real-world results will vary depending on the charger you use, ambient temperature, battery health and whether you’re using the phone while charging. To get the best performance you’ll want a quality USB-C charger that supports 33 W and avoid heavy multitasking (gaming, video) during charging if possible.

For UK buyers, this means pairing the phone with a good charger (ideally 33 W or better) is advisable right from day one. Also consider using the original cable or one certified for fast charging to avoid slower speeds.

In summary: the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite offers fast-charging credentials that are above average for its class. While it won’t match ultra-fast flagship speeds, the 20-30 minute to half-charge is very useful in daily life and it’s more than adequate for most users in the UK market.