The Nothing Phone (3) is undoubtedly one of the most unique smartphones to date – and that’s a compliment. In a market dominated by sleek glass rectangles, Nothing has boldly taken a step toward something that looks, well, different.
But what’s even more remarkable is how they’ve managed to make this oddity feel like a flagship device. Having had the chance to get my hands on it at its London unveiling, I can confidently say this phone is not afraid to stand out.
Let’s start with the back. Gone are the signature thick LED lines from the previous Glyph Interface. In their place is the Glyph Matrix – a smaller, circular display nestled in the top right corner. It’s still as cryptic and futuristic as anything Nothing has released, but now it’s also functional. You can use it for quirky features, like a pixelized mirror, mini-games like ‘spin the bottle,’ and even a magic 8-ball. Plus, Nothing is opening it up to developers via an API, meaning the possibilities for this little display are endless. Could we one day be playing Doom on it? I wouldn’t rule it out.
Despite its eccentricities, the Phone (3) doesn’t feel out of place. In fact, the more you use it, the more you’ll find yourself growing fond of its bold design. Whether or not it’s truly a flagship is still up for debate, but it’s definitely a powerhouse in many respects. Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a 4nm chip that delivers performance similar to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it’s a noticeable improvement over the Phone (2) and a big leap forward in terms of processing power. We’ll see how it stacks up against other flagship phones in benchmarks, but for now, it’s clear that this chip is no slouch.
As for the camera, Nothing has gone all-in with four 50MP shooters. You get a main camera with a large sensor, a periscope zoom camera that offers 60X AI super resolution zoom and 10cm macro shots, an ultra-wide camera, and even a 50MP front camera that can shoot 4K video. This is by far the most ambitious camera system Nothing has released, and it finally puts the Phone (3) in the conversation of serious contenders for the best smartphone camera.
The design is sleek too, with super-thin bezels around a 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED display that peaks at 4,500 nits of brightness. This, combined with the 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery, ensures that you’re getting the best of both worlds: beauty and brains. The phone also charges quicker than ever, with 65W charging that gets you 50% in just 19 minutes.
On the software side, you’ll find Nothing OS 3.5 running atop Android 15, complete with a commitment to five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches. It’s clean, smooth, and uniquely customized, just like the company’s previous offerings.
The Phone (3) isn’t just another flagship – it’s a statement. It’s a reminder that smartphones don’t have to be boring or predictable. Yes, it’s a little weird, but that’s exactly what makes it stand out. And while it might not be for everyone, there’s no denying that Nothing is pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can be.
Of course, all of this comes at a price. The Nothing Phone (3) starts at $799 for 256GB of storage and goes up to $899 for 512GB. It’s still a hefty price for a phone that’s more about design than raw specs, but if you’re looking for something different, it’s worth considering. Pre-orders start on July 4, with the official release on July 15.
One thing is for sure: whether you love it or hate it, the Nothing Phone (3) is making the smartphone world a little more exciting.