Followers Really feel Betrayed as Nothing Preps Funds Cellphone 3a Lite Launch

Go away it to Nothing to worsen followers—its personal and really vocal tech lovers—but once more. As is custom now, the tech startup, identified for its transparent wireless earbuds and light-up smartphones, has introduced a “Cellphone 3a Lite” that will probably be introduced on Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. GMT.

Cellphone (3a) Lite. 29.10. 13.00 GMT.

Gentle up the on a regular basis. pic.twitter.com/VVNclQ6mEl

— Nothing (@nothing) October 27, 2025

Nothing posted a three-second teaser to its X account displaying off the decrease portion of the Cellphone 3a Lite. Given the identify, we’d guess lunch that the telephone is a budget-focused gadget, spinoff of the Phone 3a and 3a Pro that launched final yr. No tech specs have been shared thus far, however we are able to see there’s some type of blinking LED within the decrease proper, which may very well be a primary “Glyph.” The Cellphone 3a launched at round $380, and the Cellphone 3a Professional at round $460. A “Lite” model might retail at lower than the Cellphone 3a.

However it’s not the telephone that’s acquired followers offended with their pitchforks out, banging on Nothing cofounder and CEO Carl Pei’s door. The corporate is seemingly pulling a switcheroo on its customers by permitting preinstalled adverts and apps, or what we typically discuss with as “bloatware,” on its telephones. Within the newest Nothing OS 4.0 beta, customers have found a brand new “Lock Glimpse” instrument that cycles via wallpapers and has hyperlinks to what are ostensibly ad-like articles.

Oh Nothing, What have been you considering?

So, Now you can set up NOS4 in your 3a & 3a Professional BUT –

🟥 Lock Glimpse (AKA – ADS)

Why simply why, there was no want so as to add these lockscreen adverts to your “Clear UI centered software program” & you’re even highlighting it? Bro?💔 pic.twitter.com/4zQOyddzPP

— Anshu (@AnshuTechblog) October 24, 2025

Nothing shouldn’t be hiding its intentions. Removed from it, Akis Evangelis, additionally a cofounder who was just lately promoted to president of the India area, shared the changes (or betrayal as one Reddit user described it) overtly in a discussion board notice on Oct. 24.

Transferring ahead, on choose non-flagship units, we’ll begin together with a fastidiously thought of number of third-party companion apps and providers that don’t disrupt the Nothing OS expertise you’re keen on. These are apps most individuals set up on day one, like Instagram. They’re not random – we’re working with in style platforms lots of you already use day by day, and in some circumstances, these integrations may even improve efficiency or present tighter experiences, akin to improved digital camera or sharing options.

Evangelis says the necessity to preinstall apps onto its “entry- and mid-segment merchandise” is a necessity for “sustainable income fashions to keep away from passing prices and making certain optimum pricings for our merchandise.” He additionally reminded customers that different manufacturers, together with Samsung, do the identical. That hasn’t gone down nicely with Nothing followers. A scan of r/Nothing Tech brings up tons of posts from Nothing prospects denouncing the model’s renege on a “clear” Android expertise.

“This transfer utterly contradicts their unique promise of providing a clear software program expertise,” writes user techolum.

User starccm+ shared an analogous sentiment. “We select Nothing for the clear OS. My subsequent telephone gained’t be a Nothing with the bloatware you’re planning so as to add. L transfer.”

One Nothing loyalist has even taken issues into their very own palms, starting a Change.org petition urging Nothing to reverse its determination to incorporate adverts and preinstalled apps.

The one silver lining right here could also be if Nothing permits customers to uninstall or disable preinstalled apps. That’s what number of finances and mid-range function. It’s an imperfect expertise, nevertheless it does assist hold costs decrease than flagship ranges as prices for the BOM (invoice of supplies) improve.