Carl Pei’s Nothing has unveiled its latest smartphone, the Nothing Phone 3, positioning it as a “true flagship”—but with some notable compromises. Priced at $799, it’s the company’s most expensive phone yet, yet still undercuts rivals like the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15.
Design: Minimalist Aesthetic, New Glyph Twist
- No more Glyph lights – The signature LED strips are gone, replaced by a small “Glyph Matrix” LED screen on the back (useful for notifications and quirky animations).
- Sleeker build – 18% thinner than the Phone 2, with symmetrical 1.87mm bezels around the 6.67-inch OLED (120Hz, 4,500 nits peak brightness).
- Transparent back – Retains Nothing’s signature look with visible screws and a choice of black or white.
Performance: Almost Flagship, But Not Quite
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (not the top-tier 8 Elite)—faster than mid-range phones but lags behind premium rivals.
- RAM/Storage: 12GB/256GB (base) or 16GB/512GB ($899).
- Battery: 5,150mAh with 65W wired/15W wireless charging (beats Samsung and Apple).
Verdict: Great for the price, but don’t expect Pixel or Galaxy-level optimization.
Cameras: Big Numbers, Unproven Results
- Triple 50MP rear cameras (main + ultrawide/macro + 3x telephoto).
- 50MP selfie camera.
- 1/1.3-inch main sensor – Hardware looks good, but Nothing’s image processing has been inconsistent in past models.
Software & AI: Clean Android with a Twist
- Nothing OS 3.5 (based on Android 15, upgrade to 16 coming).
- 5 years of OS updates + 2 years of security patches.
- Essential Key – A customizable button (default: launches Essential Space, an AI tool that organizes screenshots/notes).
Availability & Price
- Preorders start July 4 ($799 base, $899 for 16GB/512GB).
- US launch – Fully supported on T-Mobile/AT&T, limited 5G on Verizon.
Final Verdict: Who’s It For?
- Fans of Nothing’s design – Unique aesthetic, now sleeker.
- Budget-conscious buyers – Flagship-like specs for $200+ less than rivals.
- Power users – Chipset isn’t class-leading.
- Camera enthusiasts – Wait for real-world tests.
Why It Stands Out
- Glyph Matrix screen – A fun, if niche, replacement for LED strips.
- Aggressive pricing – Under $800 for near-flagship specs.
- Long software support – Beats many Android competitors.
Bottom Line: The Nothing Phone 3 isn’t a true flagship killer, but it’s a refined, quirky alternative for those tired of generic designs.
