Nothing Phone (3): A Closer Look at Nothing’s Flagship Device
When it comes to innovative devices, Nothing has always stood out. However, the design of their smartphones has often left something to be desired. The focus on the ‘Glyph Interface’ of flashing lights on the back of their phones was unique but not always well-received by users. Personally, I found the Glyph lights more annoying than useful and often turned them off as soon as I could.
So, when I heard that Nothing would be ditching the Glyphs on their Phone (3), their first flagship phone priced at £799/$799, I was intrigued. After getting hands-on with the Phone (3), I was pleased to see that the Glyphs were indeed gone, replaced by a ‘Glyph Matrix’ consisting of 489 monochrome LEDs. This new feature allows for more at-a-glance information display, from caller IDs and notifications to interactive games like spin the bottle and a Magic 8 Ball, all controlled by the new ‘Glyph Button’ on the back of the phone.
The design of the Phone (3) remains eye-catching, with a mix of familiar elements and new additions. The top of the phone’s back is a bit busy with three camera lenses, a flash, and the Glyph matrix, especially on the white model. The phone’s glass front and back, along with an aluminum frame, give it a premium feel and solid build quality. The Phone (3) is also IP68 water and dust resistant, a first for Nothing phones, making it a durable choice.
The display on the Phone (3) is impressive, with a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel that offers vivid colors and deep blacks. The fast 120Hz refresh rate, powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and at least 12GB of RAM, ensures smooth performance for most tasks, though it may not match up to top-tier gaming phones.
Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15, runs the Phone (3) out of the box, with an update to Nothing OS 4.0 based on Android 16 expected in Q3. The software experience is similar to previous Nothing phones, with some new features like ‘Flip to Record’ in the Essential Space. Nothing promises five major OS updates for the Phone (3), extending its support to Android 20 and security patches until 2032.
Two key areas that remain to be fully tested are battery life and camera performance. With a 5150mAh battery, the Phone (3) is expected to offer solid battery life, while the four 50MP camera lenses hold promise for impressive photography. However, the software processing will play a crucial role in determining the final image quality.
Despite these unknowns, the Nothing Phone (3) presents a compelling option in the flagship smartphone market. Pre-orders start on 4 July, with limited stock ‘Nothing Drops’ on 12 July and general sale on 15 July. For those considering a switch from Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy phones, the Phone (3) could be a worthy contender.
