The Nothing Phone (3), launched in July 2025, is the latest flagship from Nothing, a London-based tech startup led by Carl Pei. Priced at $799, it aims to compete with top-tier phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16. Known for its bold design and unique software, the Phone (3) introduces new features like the Glyph Matrix while maintaining Nothing’s signature transparent look. This review covers its design, performance, camera, and more to help you decide if it’s worth the price.
Design and Build
The Nothing Phone (3) stands out with its transparent back and asymmetrical design. Unlike its predecessors, it replaces the Glyph LED strips with a circular Glyph Matrix display in the top-right corner. The triple camera setup is arranged in an unconventional pattern, which has sparked mixed reactions—some love its uniqueness, while others find it odd. The phone feels sturdy with Gorilla Glass 7i on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, plus an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Its blocky, grid-like design gives it a retro-tech vibe, reminiscent of classic devices like the Game Boy.
Display and Glyph Matrix
The Phone (3) features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The screen is vibrant and sharp, ideal for videos and gaming, though it lacks Netflix HDR support. The Glyph Matrix, a 489-LED monochrome display on the back, shows notifications, battery status, and time. It also supports mini-apps like Spin the Bottle and Rock, Paper, Scissors, adding a playful touch. However, its usefulness is limited, as you still need to unlock the phone to read full messages.
Performance and Hardware
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and up to 16GB of RAM, the Nothing Phone (3) handles daily tasks and gaming smoothly. While not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Elite in phones like the Galaxy S25, it’s fast enough for most users. The phone runs Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15, which is clean, customizable, and responsive. It offers five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches, ensuring long-term support. Some users have noted minor lag in demanding tasks, but overall performance is solid.
Camera Capabilities
The Nothing Phone (3) has a triple 50MP camera system: a main lens with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, an ultra-wide lens with a 114-degree field of view, and a periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The 50MP front camera is great for selfies. Photos are sharp in good lighting, but color accuracy and low-light performance lag behind competitors like the iPhone 16 or Galaxy S25. Shadows can appear crushed, and highlights may be overblown in challenging conditions. The camera is a step up from the Phone (2) but doesn’t match top-tier flagships.
Software and AI Features
Nothing OS 3.5 is a highlight, offering a clean interface with dot-matrix aesthetics and plenty of customization options. The Essential Key opens Essential Space, where you can save screenshots and voice notes, though it doesn’t support regular text notes. Essential Search uses Google’s Gemini models for web and file searches, similar to Apple’s Siri integration. A meeting note transcriber summarizes recordings, but exporting them is cumbersome. While Nothing aims to make AI practical, its features are similar to those of other brands.
Battery and Charging
The Nothing Phone (3) has a 5,150mAh battery (5,500mAh in India), which lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. It supports 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, but lacks the newer Qi2 standard. Charging is fast, with a full charge taking about an hour. Compared to rivals, the battery life is reliable but not exceptional.
Pricing and Market Position
At $799 for the 12GB/256GB model and $899 for the 16GB/512GB version, the Nothing Phone (3) competes with the Galaxy S25, Pixel 9, and iPhone 16. In India, it starts at ₹79,999, which some fans consider pricey compared to alternatives. It’s available through Nothing’s website, Amazon in the US, and Best Buy in Canada, but lacks carrier bundles, targeting unlocked phone buyers. While it doesn’t match the raw power or camera quality of top flagships, its unique design and software make it a compelling alternative.
FAQs
Q: Is the Nothing Phone (3) worth buying in 2025?
A: It’s a great choice if you value unique design and clean software, but it falls short of top flagships in camera and performance for the price.
Q: How does the Glyph Matrix work?
A: The Glyph Matrix displays notifications, battery status, and mini-apps like games, but you still need to unlock the phone for detailed information.
Q: Can the Nothing Phone (3) compete with the iPhone 16 or Galaxy S25?
A: It offers a distinct experience but lags in camera quality and processing power compared to these flagships.
Q: Does the Nothing Phone (3) support wireless charging?
A: Yes, it supports 15W wireless charging, but not the newer Qi2 standard.
Q: Is the Nothing Phone (3) available in the US?
A: Yes, it’s available through Nothing’s website and Amazon starting at $799.
