Nothing Phone 3: A Bold Leap into Flagship Territory

The Nothing Phone 3, the latest flagship from Carl Pei’s London-based tech brand, is officially launched on July 1, 2025. With pricing from $799 / £799, the phone shakes up the premium Android space alongside the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25, and Pixel 9. Here’s a deep dive into why this device stands out for both tech fans and mainstream users.

Release Date & Pricing

• Launch Date: July 1, 2025 (global unveiling in London)
• First Availability: Pre-orders start July 4; shipping begins July 12–15 in most regions
• Price Points:
  • 12 GB + 256 GB: $799 / £799 / €799
  • 16 GB + 512 GB: $899 / £899 / €899

Designed to challenge top-tier rivals like Apple, Samsung, and Google, the Phone 3 marks Nothing’s strategic pivot into true flagship territory.

Design & Build: Iconic Yet Refined

Nothing continues its signature transparent back design, now with a refreshed Glyph Matrix—a programmable micro-LED dot matrix replacing the earlier LED strips.

• Located top-right on the rear, the Glyph Matrix shows notifications, animations, and allows mini-games, enhancing interactivity
• Nothing’s Head of Design, Adam Bates, describes this feature as a more expressive evolution of the Glyph system
• The camera module is asymmetrically arranged, reinforcing the device’s distinct look

Display & Durability

• Display: 6.67-inch LTPO AMOLED with 1.5K resolution, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness reaching approximately 4,500 nits
• Protection: Gorilla Glass 7i front and back, aluminum frame
• Other Specs: 1 billion colors, 4500 nits peak brightness, HDR10+ support

Performance & Hardware

• Chipset: Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm) chipset and Adreno 825 GPU, it delivers around 36% faster CPU performance and up to 88% better GPU efficiency compared to its predecessor.
• Memory Configs: 12GB RAM with 256GB storage and 16GB RAM with 512GB storage
• Battery: 5,150 mAh; 65 W wired fast charge (0–100% in ~54 mins); 15 W wireless; reverse wireless charging supported
• OS & Updates: Ships with Nothing OS 3.5 on Android 15; upgrade path includes Android 16 and Nothing OS 4.0; 5 years OS updates, 7 years security patches

Cameras

Nothing Phone 3 upgrades every lens to 50 MP:

• Main Sensor: f/1.9, 1/1.56″, OIS, low-light excellence
• Periscope Telephoto: Lens with f/1.9 aperture offers 2x optical zoom, optical image stabilization (OIS), and supports up to 3x optical and 60x digital zoom.
• Ultra-wide: 114° FOV, f/2.2.
• Front Camera: 50 MP, 4K@30fps.
• Macro Shots: Shared snapshots reveal superb detail and minimal processing

AI-Driven Features

• Glyph Matrix: Offers expressive rear animations for notifications, call alerts, camera fill light, and gameplay.
• Essential Space: Quick screen-down for meeting recording, automatic transcription, and summary—ideal for hybrid work.
• Essential Search: On-device natural language search for settings, files, images; web results powered by AI

Other Highlights

• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.3, NFC, IP64 rating
• Audio: Stereo speakers, Snapdragon Sound support
• Weight & Build: ~195 g, transparent-rear premium feel

Strengths & Considerations

Pros

• Distinct, playful design with transparent aesthetics
• Unique Glyph Matrix is fun and useful
• Strong performance from Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
• Triple 50 MP cameras with periscope telephoto
• Solid battery life with fast wired and wireless charging
• Impressive update policy (5 + 7 years)

Cons

• Its pricing places it in direct competition with top-tier rivals like the Samsung S25 and Apple iPhone 16.
• Glyph Matrix utility still niche—needs widespread content integration
• IP64 rating falls short of full water resistance

Market Impact

Nothing Phone 3 marks a major milestone for the startup:

• This marks NOTHING’s first true flagship, showcasing its bold intent to compete with leading tech giants.
• Part of its strategy: build a loyal fanbase through unique design, engaging UX, and solid post-launch support.
• In a crowded Android market, it stands out with identity and personality.

Final Thoughts

The Nothing Phone 3 stands out as a premium metal flagship, featuring refined hardware, a bold transparent design, and unique elements like the Glyph Matrix. It balances mainstream performance with playful innovation. While it carries a premium price, its long-term support and aesthetic uniqueness could justify the investment for users seeking individuality with substance.