Nothing Phone (3): A New Flagship Contender?

Nothing, the London-based tech company, has officially entered the big leagues. After much anticipation, the Nothing Phone (3) is here, and it’s not just another incremental update. The company is positioning its latest creation as a “true flagship,” aiming to take on the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Google. But does it have what it takes to compete?

The Phone (3) marks a significant step up for Nothing, moving away from the mid-range territory of its predecessors and squarely into premium territory. With a bold new design, a powerful processor, and an ambitious camera system, it’s clear Nothing is making a statement. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this new contender.

A Fresh Design and the All-New ‘Glyph Matrix’

Nothing has always been about distinctive design, and the Phone (3) continues that tradition, albeit with a twist. The iconic Glyph Interface—the series of LED light strips on the back of the previous models—has been replaced. In its place is the new “Glyph Matrix.”

This new feature is a dot-matrix display that offers more detailed information than the simple notifications of the past. It can show the time, caller ID, and even mini-apps that Nothing calls “Toys.” This evolution makes the back of the phone more functional, moving from a notification light to a secondary information hub.

The phone itself features a more refined build with a tri-column rear layout for the cameras, uniform bezels, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, putting it on par with other flagship devices. It will be available in familiar Black and White color options.

Under the Hood: Flagship-Level Performance

At the heart of the Nothing Phone 3 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. While not the absolute top-tier Snapdragon processor on the market, it’s a powerful 4nm chip that brings significant performance boosts in CPU, GPU, and AI capabilities compared to the Phone (2).

This is a clear signal of Nothing’s flagship ambitions. Paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, the Phone (3) is equipped to handle anything you can throw at it, from demanding games to heavy multitasking.

Nothing also promises an impressive five years of major Android updates and seven years of security updates, a commitment to software longevity that rivals even Google’s Pixel devices.

A Major Camera Upgrade

One of the most significant upgrades in the Nothing Phone 3 is its camera system. For the first time, a Nothing phone features a triple-lens setup on the rear, a clear move to compete with the best camera phones out there.

The system includes:

• A 50MP main camera with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS).
• A 50MP ultrawide camera.
• A 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS.

This versatile setup allows for high-quality shots in various conditions, from detailed landscapes to sharp zoomed-in photos. Nothing has also focused on the video capabilities, enabling 4K recording at 60fps across all lenses, complete with full OIS for stable footage. Even the front-facing selfie camera is a capable 50MP shooter.

Display, Battery, and Charging

The display is a gorgeous 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel with an adaptive refresh rate that goes from 30Hz to 120Hz. It boasts an impressive peak brightness of 4500 nits for HDR content, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.

To power all this hardware, the Nothing Phone 3 is equipped with a substantial 5,500mAh silicon-carbon battery. This should provide all-day battery life for most users. When it’s time to recharge, it supports 65W wired fast charging, which can top up the battery in under an hour. For those who prefer wireless, it also offers 15W wireless charging.

Price and Availability

This is where Nothing is making its boldest move. The Nothing Phone 3 starts at $799 for the 12GB/256GB model, a significant jump from its predecessors. This price point puts it in direct competition with base models of the iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S series.

Pre-orders began on July 4, 2025, with the official release date set for July 15, 2025. The phone is available directly from Nothing’s official website and other major retailers.

Is It Your Next Phone?

The Nothing Phone 3 represents a confident and ambitious step for the young company. It has shed its mid-range skin and emerged as a genuine flagship contender with a unique design, powerful internals, a promising camera system, and a long-term software support commitment.

While the $799 price tag might be a sticking point for some early adopters, the on-paper specifications and the brand’s commitment to a unique user experience make it a compelling option in a market often criticized for its lack of innovation. If you’re looking for a device that stands out from the crowd and has the power to back it up, the Nothing Phone (3) is definitely one to watch.