The highly anticipated Nothing Phone (3) has officially launched, positioning itself as the brand’s most premium device yet.
Unlike the mid-range Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro revealed earlier this year, the Phone (3) promises flagship-level aspirations-though not without controversy.
Headlining the specs is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a capable performer though noticeably not the most powerful SoC in Qualcomm’s arsenal. Accompanying it is a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, a notable leap for the brand in camera versatility. Nothing is also committing to long-term support: five years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
However, early leaks-and now the official announcement-have stirred polarizing reactions. The Phone (3)’s rear camera layout, off-center and oddly placed, has been widely criticized. Renders hinted at an unconventional design, and now that it’s official, even loyal fans are questioning Nothing’s aesthetic choices.
Retail pricing starts at €799 (or about $1,000 USD), with the Nothing Headphone (1) making its debut alongside, starting at a steep €299. The pricing strategy, particularly when paired with the not-quite-flagship chipset, has baffled many. One former fan put it bluntly: “There’s no price I’d pay for this design.”
Still, the Phone (3) isn’t without merit. It boasts solid hardware, an open software promise, and a unique identity-even if that identity is now being questioned. Whether this gamble pays off or backfires depends on how many users are ready to embrace bold ideas and look past a polarizing exterior.
As with previous launches, reviewers have already lined up their hot takes, and hands-on impressions are surfacing fast. Some expect the usual post-launch patches to improve camera performance and battery life, while others believe no software update can redeem the hardware choices.
What’s clear is that Nothing’s Phone (3) will not go unnoticed. Whether it becomes a cult classic or a cautionary tale, Carl Pei’s latest creation is turning heads-just maybe not in the way he hoped.