Nothing Phone 3 Review: A Distinctive Flagship Experience

The Nothing Phone 3 has landed, marking a significant stride for the UK tech brand. Positioned as their “first true flagship,” it’s a bold move to challenge industry titans like Samsung and Google. Carl Pei, Nothing’s CEO, promised “premium materials, major performance upgrades and software that really levels things up.” Launched on July 1, 2025, with pre-orders from July 4 and sales starting July 15, the Phone 3 is available globally.

Starting at $799 (US) / Rs 79,999 (India) for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage model, and $899 / Rs 89,999 for the 16GB RAM/512GB variant, the Phone 3 commands a higher price than its predecessors. This premium pricing signals Nothing’s confidence in its ability to deliver a top-tier experience, directly competing with devices like the Galaxy S25. The question is: does it live up to the “flagship” promise?

Nothing Phone 3 retains the brand’s signature transparent aesthetic, but with a refined, “modular” look featuring a “tri-column layout” on the back. Built with premium Corning Gorilla Glass 7i (front), Gorilla Glass Victus (back), and an aluminum frame, it feels robust and durable. A welcome upgrade is the IP68 dust and water resistance, a significant jump from the Phone 2’s IP54.

The standout feature is the new “Glyph Matrix” – a smaller, micro-LED screen on the top-right rear. Designed to “reduce user screen time,” it displays essential info like app alerts, contact notifications, and progress indicators without needing to wake the main screen. It also hosts “Glyph Toys” – mini-apps like a digital clock, stopwatch, and even simple games. Nothing is opening a public SDK for developers to create more Glyph Toys, fostering a unique interactive ecosystem. A dedicated “Glyph Button” on the back allows for interaction, including displaying caller ID during calls.

This evolution from simple LEDs to a functional micro-LED screen is a clever move, transforming a novelty into a genuinely useful feature that sets Nothing apart.

The Phone 3 boasts a stunning 6.67-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a “1.5K resolution” (2800×1260 pixels), delivering sharp visuals at 394 ppi. It features an adaptive 30Hz-120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling and gaming, while optimizing battery life.

Brightness is a major highlight, hitting an incredible 4,500 nits peak for HDR content and 1,600 nits in High Brightness Mode – making it Nothing’s brightest screen yet. With 1 billion colors, HDR10+ support, and 2160Hz PWM dimming (for reduced eye strain), this display is truly top-tier. Symmetrical 1.87mm bezels contribute to an impressive 92.89% screen-to-body ratio, enhancing immersion. This is a display that competes directly with the best in the business.

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform, a 4nm chipset that delivers a “major performance upgrade.” While not the absolute top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, its real-world gains are significant:

• CPU: 36% faster
• GPU: 88% improvement
• AI: 60% boost
• Image Recognition: 125% faster

These translate to “seamless multitasking, console-quality gaming, and rapid AI inference.” You can expect lag-free performance for demanding apps, video editing, and streaming. Available in 12GB RAM/256GB storage and 16GB RAM/512GB storage configurations (no expandable storage), the Phone 3 offers ample power for any task.

Nothing’s choice of the 8s Gen 4 is a smart one, balancing high performance with potentially better cost and power management, making it a compelling option for users who want flagship-level speed without the absolute highest price tag.

The Nothing Phone 3 features a significantly upgraded camera system, boasting four 50-megapixel sensors. The rear setup includes:

• 50MP Main Wide Lens: With OIS and PDAF for sharp, stable shots.
• 50MP Telephoto Lens: Offers 2x optical zoom (some reports suggest 3x periscope) and OIS, perfect for detailed close-ups and even macro photography.
• 50MP Ultrawide Lens: Provides a 114˚ field of view with autofocus for expansive shots.

For selfies, there’s a capable 50MP front-facing camera. Video recording is robust, supporting 4K at 30/60fps across all lenses, with both OIS and gyro-EIS for smooth footage. AI-driven image processing and “Pro-designed presets” further enhance image quality and cinematic effects.

The addition of a dedicated 50MP telephoto/periscope lens with optical zoom is a game-changer, elevating the Phone 3’s photography capabilities to true flagship status and addressing a common weakness in previous Nothing models.

Equipped with a substantial 5500mAh battery, the Nothing Phone 3 promises excellent endurance, with claims of up to 80 hours of uptime. This is a healthy upgrade from the Phone 2’s 4700mAh cell.

Wired charging is impressive at 65W, allowing a full charge in about 54 minutes and 50% in just 19 minutes. It also supports convenient 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, letting you power up accessories on the go. This combination ensures you stay connected without constant battery anxiety.

Running Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.5, the Phone 3 offers a clean, focused, and AI-powered software experience. Nothing’s commitment to software longevity is exceptional: 5 years of major Android updates and 7 years of security updates, ensuring your phone remains current and secure until 2032.

Key AI features include:

• Essential Space: An AI-organized hub for voice notes and screenshots, helping to declutter your digital life.
• Flip to Record: A novel shortcut using the “Essential Key” to automatically transcribe and summarize meetings by simply flipping the phone face down.
• Smart Search: A universal search feature that can open apps, perform Google searches, or initiate AI-powered queries.
• Glyph Matrix AI: Integrates AI for app-specific light cues and caller ID.

Nothing OS continues its minimalist philosophy with features like a monochrome theme and removable app labels, focusing on intentional use. The long-term software support and practical AI integrations are major selling points, enhancing both the value and usability of the device over time.

The Phone 3 comes with full 5G support, dual Nano-SIM, and crucial eSIM functionality. It features Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, comprehensive GPS, and NFC for seamless connectivity. While it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio (common for flagships), it offers a USB Type-C 2.0 port.

Durability is top-notch with an IP68 rating, providing robust dust and water resistance. Audio is immersive thanks to dual stereo speakers with Snapdragon Sound and Dolby Atmos. Security is handled by an ultra-fast in-display optical fingerprint sensor. Other features include “Circle to Search” and continued integration of the original Glyph Interface LEDs alongside the new Glyph Matrix, plus hints at a broader Nothing ecosystem.

The Nothing Phone 3’s pricing positions it directly against established flagships:

• US: $799 (12GB/256GB), $899 (16GB/512GB)
• India: Rs 79,999 (12GB/256GB), Rs 89,999 (16GB/512GB)
• UK/Europe: Starts from £799

Available since July 15, 2025, Nothing is making a dedicated push into the US market via Amazon and its official website. This direct-to-consumer approach aims to offer a “fresh choice” away from the dominant brands.

The Verdict: The Nothing Phone 3 is a genuinely compelling flagship. It delivers on its promises of premium design, powerful performance, a stunning display, and a significantly upgraded camera. The Glyph Matrix and Nothing OS 3.5’s AI integrations are truly innovative, and the extended software support is a major differentiator. While its pricing puts it in direct competition with giants, its unique identity and focus on a seamless, human-centric experience make it a strong contender. If you’re looking for a flagship that stands out from the crowd, offers long-term value, and embraces smart, practical innovation, the Nothing Phone 3 should be at the top of your list. It’s not just a phone; it’s a statement.