Nothing has officially introduced its most ambitious smartphone yet—the Nothing Phone 3—positioning it as the company’s first true flagship. Starting at $799, the Phone 3 delivers an exciting mix of premium hardware, a playful design language, and some surprisingly powerful camera features. Let’s break down what makes this device stand out in the increasingly competitive smartphone market.
A Bold Design Evolution: Glyph Matrix Takes Center Stage
The Nothing Phone 3 stays true to the company’s signature transparent design but takes things in a fresh, experimental direction. Gone are the large light strips of the previous models. In their place is the Glyph Matrix, a sophisticated micro-LED dot system made up of 489 tiny lights on the back of the phone. These lights are more than just decoration—they serve as interactive notifications, timers, and even mini-games like Rock-Paper-Scissors and Spin the Bottle.
You can customize what the Glyph Matrix displays, and Nothing is also releasing an SDK for third-party app developers to get creative with it. According to ITC.ua, this is expected to make the feature far more versatile over time.
A new dedicated Glyph button on the side of the phone allows users to quickly cycle through Glyph functions. This adds a layer of tactile control that complements the phone’s visual flair.
Quad 50-Megapixel Cameras: Not Just for Show
If you’re into mobile photography, the Nothing Phone 3’s camera system will definitely catch your attention. All four cameras—including the selfie camera—feature 50-megapixel sensors.
On the back, you get:
- A main wide-angle lens
- An ultrawide sensor
- A periscope telephoto lens with 3× optical zoom and up to 60× digital zoom
The front-facing camera is also 50 MP, giving selfie enthusiasts and vloggers high-quality capture options. Android Authority notes that the inclusion of a periscope lens is particularly rare at this price point, making the Nothing Phone 3 a standout for its photographic versatility.
Early camera samples suggest that Nothing is focusing on natural color tones and sharp details, though we’ll have to wait for in-depth reviews to fully assess its low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
Smooth Performance, But Not a Powerhouse
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 3 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which is a slightly toned-down version of Qualcomm’s flagship chipset. While it doesn’t quite match the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Elite found in phones like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, it should still deliver smooth everyday performance, gaming, and multitasking.
The phone comes in two variants:
- 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage ($799)
- 16 GB RAM + 512 GB storage ($899)
It’s worth noting that this processor decision might be a slight trade-off for those who demand the absolute fastest silicon. However, most users won’t notice much difference in real-world use.
Stunning Display and Rugged Build
The Nothing Phone 3 sports a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a buttery smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The screen offers a crisp 1.5K resolution, delivering vibrant colors and sharp visuals even under direct sunlight.
Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus protects both the front and back, and the device carries an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, which is essential for durability in real-life conditions.
If you’re looking for a phone that can survive accidental drops or splashes, this is a big plus.
Massive Battery With Speedy Charging
Nothing is using a 5,150 mAh silicon-carbon battery in the Nothing Phone 3, which offers better energy density than traditional lithium-ion cells. The phone supports 65W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging, ensuring that you won’t be stuck waiting for hours to top up your battery.
The battery life should easily last a full day, and possibly more, based on early reports from hands-on testers like Tom’s Guide.
Nothing OS 3.5: Lean, Fast, and AI-Powered
Out of the box, the Nothing Phone 3 runs Nothing OS 3.5, built on top of Android 15. Nothing promises three years of major Android updates (up to Android 20) and seven years of security patches, which is competitive with the best Android flagships out there.
One standout software feature is the return of the Essential Key, a customizable shortcut button. This can now trigger AI-powered tasks like instant voice note transcription or meeting summaries, making it more functional than ever.
Nothing’s clean, minimal software experience is a breath of fresh air for users who prefer a bloat-free interface.
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for the Nothing Phone 3 begin on July 4, 2025, with shipments starting on July 15 across the US, UK, EU, and several other markets. You can find the official pricing and purchase options on Nothing’s official website.
Here’s a quick pricing breakdown:
- 12 GB RAM / 256 GB storage – $799 / €799 / £799
- 16 GB RAM / 512 GB storage – $899 / €899 / £899
For those in India, pricing and launch offers were detailed in India Times’ coverage.
Should You Buy the Nothing Phone 3?
If you’re in the market for a phone that dares to be different—both in terms of style and user interaction—the Nothing Phone 3 is worth a serious look.
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a unique visual identity.
- You value high-resolution cameras and versatile photography options.
- You appreciate long-term software support and a clean Android experience.
Skip it if:
- You need maximum processing power for gaming or pro-level tasks.
- You’re not interested in the playful Glyph features.
Competing Devices:
At this price point, the Nothing Phone 3 competes with the Google Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S25, and the iPhone 16. Each has its own strengths, but none can match the sheer design eccentricity and interactive charm that the Nothing Phone 3 offers.
For a closer comparison, check out The Verge’s hands-on impressions which explore how this phone holds up against other 2025 flagships.
Final Thoughts
The Nothing Phone 3 isn’t just another flagship—it’s a phone with personality. It successfully balances meaningful innovation, like its camera system and Glyph Matrix, with practical strengths such as fast charging, durability, and clean software.
While it might not satisfy hardcore gamers or those chasing the absolute fastest chip, it more than makes up for it with thoughtful features and a design that’s guaranteed to turn heads.
For more details and pre-order links, you can visit Nothing’s official store page here.
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