Smartphones

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite touts midrange specs as entry-level

Both the specs and the price are in midrange territory.

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As they’ve announced recently, Nothing has now expanded its lineup to include the more budget-friendly Phone (3a) Lite.

Formerly thriving on only flagship and midrange models, Nothing has recently pushed to include entry-level smartphones into its lineup. The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is the brand’s first ever foray into the segment.

Not bad for an entry-level phone

Though the phone has a price tag that starts at only EUR 249 (or approximately US$ 289), the Phone (3a) Lite still rocks the brand’s iconic design, which the brand calls “a beautiful balance of matte and gloss.” It will have a Glyph Light which, unlike the longer strip of the past, is just a single blinking LED for notifications. The transparent back is encased in Panda Glass, broken only by the protruding triple rear camera combination.

Speaking of which, the phone comes with a 50-megapixel main shooter with a 1/1.57-inch Samsung sensor. It’s paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a macro lens. This trio is still capable of shooting 4K resolutions at 30 frames per second. Additionally, it comes with a 16-megapixel front camera.

In front, the phone has a 6.77-inch AMOLED display — putting out 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. The side has this generation’s Essential Key (which we didn’t really care for in the flagship model).

Under the hood, the Phone (3a) Lite sports the Dimensity 7300 Pro 5G chipset. This is paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. Finally, it has a 5000mAh battery, capable of 33W fast charging.

The bloatware begins

As we noted previously, Nothing has changed its perspectives on offering no bloatware inside its phones. Starting with Nothing OS 4.0 (which this phone will eventually come with), the brand’s non-flagship phones will eventually come with Lock Glimpse, a lock screen that’s essentially a rolling carousel of wallpapers with links to content. It’s similar to the lock screens you might see in Chinese smartphones these days.

Additionally, the upcoming update will start shipping smartphones off with preinstalled apps, starting with Instagram. It’s a big step away from Nothing’s prior commitment to offering a pure Android experience.

Price and availability

Available in black and white, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is out now in Europe. The base 128GB model sells for EUR 249. Meanwhile, the larger 256GB variant ships for EUR 279. There’s no word yet on availability elsewhere.

SEE ALSO: Nothing Phone (3a) series is here!

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More iPhone switchers this year than Android switchers, report says

Only the Google Pixel might be exempt from a global Android dip.

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With the prices of chips skyrocketing this year, the commonly held rule of thumb is to hold on to your devices for as long as possible. Of course, the dip in demand will also translate to a dip in supply. According to new reports, users this year might favor switching to an iPhone over an Android phone.

As early as late last year, smartphone makers have already warned consumers that the prices of new devices might go up to anticipate the rising prices of RAM. For now, the prices are still manageable, but forecasts don’t look too kindly on the future.

According to a Morgan Stanley report via Investing.com, the shipments of Android phones might drop by as much as 15 percent this year, compared to the last. This encompasses all brands using the platform.

However, there is one notable holdout: the Google Pixel. According to the same report, the lineup will still enjoy some modicum of growth heading into their release schedule this year.

More notably, though, Apple might be the biggest winner this year. Though iPhone shipments might still drop by 2 percent, it’s nothing compared to the former’s 15 percent drop. When comparing the two, that should translate to a growth in Apple’s share of the pie this year. In other words, more people might switch to Apple, compared to people switching to any phone running on Android.

Now, to be fair, these are all just predictions. Anything can still happen, but it looks like Apple might be heading to a stellar performance later this year.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on: NEW iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBooks, Studio Displays

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Samsung brings AirDrop support to Quick Share with Galaxy S26 series

Quick Share meets AirDrop

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Quick Share AirDrop

Samsung is making it easier for Galaxy users to share files across devices with the introduction of AirDrop support to Quick Share on the Galaxy S26 series.

The update allows Galaxy S26 users to send and receive files more seamlessly, expanding Quick Share’s functionality beyond Samsung’s own ecosystem. It’s a notable step toward improving interoperability, especially for users who frequently interact with devices outside the Galaxy lineup.

The feature begins rolling out on March 23, starting in Korea. Samsung says availability will expand to additional markets including Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. As with most rollouts, timing may vary depending on the region.

For now, AirDrop support is exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung notes that support for other devices will be announced at a later date.

Expanding what Quick Share can do

Quick Share has long been Samsung’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop — offering fast, wireless file transfers between Galaxy devices. Over time, Samsung has expanded compatibility to include Windows PCs and select Android devices.

With this update, the experience becomes more flexible. Users can expect fewer limitations when sharing photos, videos, and documents, particularly in mixed-device environments.

While Samsung has not detailed the exact technical implementation, the move signals a broader push toward making Galaxy devices easier to use alongside other platforms.

A software-driven upgrade for the S26

The addition of AirDrop support reinforces one of the key themes behind the Galaxy S26 series: improving everyday usability through software.

Launched in February, the Galaxy S26 lineup — consisting of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — focuses on refinement rather than dramatic hardware changes. Samsung has leaned heavily into what it calls “effortless intelligence,” with features powered by Galaxy AI designed to simplify daily tasks.

These include tools like Now Brief and Now Nudge, which surface contextual suggestions, as well as AI-powered editing features such as Photo Assist and Audio Eraser. Privacy also plays a bigger role this year, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra introducing a built-in Privacy Display that limits viewing angles in public spaces.

On the hardware side, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, paired with a redesigned vapor chamber for improved thermal performance. It also introduces faster 60W charging, a bump from the previous generation.

Making sharing more seamless

With AirDrop support coming to Quick Share, Samsung is addressing a common friction point for users: moving files between different ecosystems.

It may not be the most headline-grabbing feature, but it’s one that could have a meaningful impact on day-to-day use — especially for users who regularly share content across devices.

As the feature rolls out globally, it further positions the Galaxy S26 series as a device focused on practical improvements that make the overall experience smoother and more connected.

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nubia to launch new Neo 5 series gaming phones on March 28

Head to SM Megamall for activities, guest appearances, surprises

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nubia Philippines will officially launch the nubia Neo 5 series gaming smartphone on March 28 at their “Enter The NEOVerse: Born To Win” event. It will be held at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Metro Manila.

The nubia Neo 5 series’ design and details will be unveiled during the event. It is inspired by the REDMAGIC Gaming Lab, which is behind the REDMAGIC’s high-performance gaming ecosystem.

The nubia Neo 5 series will introduce a bold gaming-centric aesthetic, paired with performance-driven specs.

Customers can expect a sleek, futuristic styling, as well as powerful hardware engineered to elevate everyday mobile gameplay.

Across the lineup, users can expect high refresh rate displays, powerful processors, advanced cooling systems, and the familiar gaming triggers from the previous series.

It does look like nubia is adding AI-powered gaming optimization to give players an extra edge for every competitive match.

All these, of course, minus the flagship price tag.

Enter the NEOverse

At nubia’s launch event, the activity area will be transformed into a gaming-inspired universe.

Guests can explore interactive zones, participate in challenges, and experience the nubia Neo 5 series firsthand. They can also unlock exclusive rewards and prizes.

Moreover, the event will feature appearances from nubia ambassadors Sanya Lopez and ONIC Philippines.

From there, there will be 1v1 gaming sessions with ONIC PH players, as well as a special “Play” segment featuring a yet-to-be-revealed cosplayer.

nubia will also offer event-exclusive deals for early shoppers during the launch. Customers can enjoy up to seven premium freebies per nubia Neo 5 model. This is available for the first 100 customers.

Furthermore, nubia will officially announce its TikTok Super Brand Week, as well as partnerships with Yanlala and Geely.

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