Introduction
Nothing’s design-first philosophy has already shaken up the mid-range market with the Phone (1) and Phone (2). Now, with the Nothing Phone 3, the company is aiming squarely at the flagship crowd.
But can it deliver flagship performance, cameras, and battery life while staying true to its minimalist, transparent aesthetic? Let’s dive into what the Phone 3 offers—and whether it’s worth your money.
Design and Build: Still Transparent, Now More Refined
Nothing hasn’t abandoned its signature look. The Phone 3 embraces the iconic transparent back with Glyph lighting but elevates it with more premium materials.
✅ Build Highlights:
- Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back
- Matte aluminum frame with flat edges
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Thinner bezels for a sleek modern feel
The new Glyph interface has expanded customization—letting users assign light patterns to specific contacts or apps, and even offering Glyph Music Visualization in sync with audio.
Pros:
- Stunning, unique aesthetic
- Premium materials and solid durability
- Useful, customizable Glyph lighting
Cons:
- Slightly slippery without a case
- Glyph usefulness depends on user preference
Check out Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review in 2025. Is it still better than Nothing phone 3? Read and find out.
Display: Flagship-Grade OLED
✅ Specs:
- 6.7-inch flexible LTPO OLED
- 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support
- ~1600 nits peak brightness
Nothing’s move to LTPO makes the display both smoother and more efficient, adapting refresh rate to save battery when static and delivering ultra-fluid scrolling in apps.
✅ User Experience:
- Rich, punchy colors
- Excellent brightness for outdoor use
- Smooth animations at 120Hz
Pros:
- Adaptive LTPO saves battery
- Fantastic HDR viewing
- Slim, uniform bezels
Cons:
- No curved option (subjective preference)
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Power
Unlike the mid-range Phone (1), the Phone 3 jumps to true flagship performance.
✅ Key Specs:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC
- 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM
- 256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
Benchmarks (expected):
- Antutu: ~1.6 million
- Geekbench: ~2100 single / ~6600 multi
✅ Real-World Use:
- Handles the heaviest games with max graphics
- No throttling even after extended gaming
- Fast app switching, no lag in multitasking
NothingOS 3 (based on Android 14) remains clean and minimalist with thoughtful extras:
- Glyph integrations for notifications
- Nothing Widgets
- Smart Launcher features
Pros:
- Top-tier processor and storage
- Smooth, bloat-free OS
- Advanced RAM management
Cons:
- Slight warmth under sustained gaming
Check out iQOO Z10 Lite 5G review if you are looking for a budget segment phone. And don't compare it with Nothing Phone 3.
Battery Life and Charging: Serious Flagship Specs
✅ Battery Capacity:
- 5000mAh battery
✅ Charging:
- 65W wired charging (0–100% in ~40 mins)
- 15W wireless charging
- 5W reverse wireless charging
✅ Battery Test (est.):
- Light use: ~2 days
- Heavy use: ~1.5 days
- SOT: 8–9 hours
Pros:
- Big battery in slim frame
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Reverse wireless handy for earbuds
Cons:
- No super-fast 100W+ charging like some rivals
Cameras: AI Power Meets Real Photography
✅ Rear Camera System:
- 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS
- 50MP ultrawide with autofocus (macro capable)
- 32MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom
✅ Front Camera:
- 32MP selfie camera
Main Camera Performance:
- Excellent dynamic range with advanced HDR
- Low-light shots rival top flagships thanks to AI Night Mode
- Natural color processing with minimal oversharpening
✅ Ultrawide:
- Sharp details
- Autofocus for close-ups / macro shots
✅ Telephoto:
- Clean 2x optical zoom
- AI-assisted stabilization for clear portraits
✅ Front Camera:
- High-resolution selfies with solid skin tones
- 4K video support
Pros:
- Versatile triple-camera setup
- Very good low-light performance
- AI features like scene detection, auto-enhance
Cons:
- Telephoto limited to 2x zoom
- Slight shutter lag in very low light
Glyph Interface 2.0: More Than Just Flashy
Nothing’s Glyph Interface evolves in Phone 3.
✅ Features:
- Assign custom Glyph patterns to contacts
- Music visualization mode
- Countdown timer lights
- Charging progress animation
✅ Real-World Use:
- Easier to spot important calls/messages even in silent mode
- Party trick appeal but also genuinely useful for customization fans
Pros:
- Unique selling point
- Functional custom alerts
- Fun for personalization
Cons:
- Not everyone will use it daily
Connectivity and Extras
- Full 5G band support
- Wi-Fi 7 ready
- Bluetooth 5.4
- NFC for payments
- In-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
✅ Build Details:
- Dual SIM tray
- No microSD expansion
- USB-C 3.2
Pros:
- State-of-the-art connectivity
- Great audio experience
- Ultrasonic fingerprint is fast and reliable
Cons:
- No SD card slot
- No headphone jack
Software Experience: Clean and Fast
✅ NothingOS 3.0 (Android 14):
- Almost stock feel
- Unique Nothing widgets
- Glyph customization built-in
- Minimal preinstalled apps
Update Policy:
- 3 years of Android updates
- 4 years of security patches
Pros:
- Clean and intuitive UI
- Helpful customizations without bloat
- Excellent long-term support
Cons:
- Fewer deep customization options vs. OneUI/OxygenOS
How It Compares to Rivals
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 12 | Pixel 8 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7” LTPO OLED 120Hz | 6.82” LTPO AMOLED | 6.7” LTPO OLED |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Tensor G3 |
| Battery | 5000mAh (65W) | 5400mAh (100W) | 5050mAh (30W) |
| Cameras | 50+50+32MP Triple | 50+48+64MP Triple | 50+48+48MP Triple |
| OS Updates | 3+4 years | 4+5 years | 7 years |
✅ Verdict:
- Nothing wins on design and unique Glyph features
- OnePlus edges ahead in charging speed and versatility
- Pixel has superior computational photography and update policy
Who Should Buy the Nothing Phone 3?
✅ Users who want standout, original design
✅ Photography lovers who want versatile triple cameras
✅ Power users wanting flagship performance
✅ Fans of clean Android with thoughtful customizations
❌ Skip if:
- You want 5x+ optical zoom
- You need SD card expansion
- You want the absolute fastest wired charging
FAQs
Q: Is the Glyph lighting useful or just a gimmick?
It’s both! It’s customizable for notifications, charging, music sync. Very handy if you customize it.
Q: Does it have wireless charging?
Yes, 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless.
Q: How is battery life compared to competitors?
Very solid—easily 1.5 days with typical use.
Q: Is NothingOS better than stock Android?
It’s similar to stock but with unique Glyph integration and widgets.
Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
The Nothing Phone 3 is a true flagship contender with distinctive design, excellent cameras, strong performance, and thoughtful AI extras. It’s not just another Android slab—it stands out, feels premium, and delivers real value for money.
If you want a phone with personality that doesn’t compromise on flagship basics, the Nothing Phone 3 should be high on your list.
