Introduction to the Nothing Phone 3
The Nothing Phone 3 is being hailed as the company’s "first true flagship phone," and it’s making a bold statement by entering the US market at a price point of $799, directly competing with the likes of the Pixel 9, Galaxy S25, and iPhone 16. This pricing strategy simplifies the review process, as it narrows down the key questions to whether the Phone 3 can stand toe-to-toe with these established flagships and how it will fare against upcoming models from Google and Apple.
Design: A Divisive Element
One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone 3 is its unique design, which is more divisive than any other phone on the market, even among Nothing’s most ardent fans. The Phone 3 marks a significant departure from its predecessors by ditching the Glyph interface, an abstract pattern of LED dots and strips that was a hallmark of Nothing’s design language. In its place is the Glyph Matrix, a circular dot matrix display that offers a range of functionalities, from displaying the time and battery life to playing games like rock, paper, scissors.
The Glyph Matrix: Practicality and Gimmicks
The Glyph Matrix can display pictures and icons, allowing users to assign custom symbols to contacts or apps, making it easier to identify who’s calling or what notifications you’re receiving. However, setting this up requires manual effort, contact by contact, app by app, which can be tedious. The system is more practical than its predecessor but also feels less unique, especially in comparison to phones like the Asus ROG series that have similar secondary screens. The absence of the Glyph lights leaves the rear of the phone looking oddly bare, with a cluttered top section and a vast expanse of empty space at the bottom.
Software and Features
Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15, continues the company’s minimalist and monochrome design language, offering a high degree of customizability. The grayscale aesthetic, while visually appealing, can sometimes make it difficult to quickly find app icons. The introduction of an AI-powered global search bar helps mitigate this issue, providing easy access to apps, contacts, and settings. Essential Space, triggered by a dedicated hardware key, allows users to save screenshots and voice notes, which are then analyzed by AI to provide reminders and summaries, integrating with Google Calendar for added convenience.
Performance and Specifications
The Phone 3 is powered by the Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chipset, a choice that has sparked some controversy among fans, given its use in lower-priced flagships like the Poco F7. However, this chipset has proven to be competitive, especially when compared to Google’s Tensor chips used in the Pixel series. It handles daily tasks, photo processing, and gaming without any noticeable lag or stuttering. The base model comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, outdoing many of its rivals in terms of storage space. The 5,150mAh battery and 65W wired charging are also notable, offering a full day’s use and rapid replenishment.
Camera Capabilities
Nothing has upgraded the Phone 3’s camera hardware with a triple rear camera setup, utilizing 50-megapixel sensors across all cameras, including the selfie camera. This gives the Phone 3 a resolution advantage over its competitors. The main camera performs well in good lighting conditions, though it can sometimes produce images with an overly flat, HDR-processed look. Performance in low light is less impressive, with overexposed highlights and crushed blacks. The telephoto lens is a standout feature, offering attractive, natural bokeh effects, especially in macro mode. However, the overall camera performance lags behind that of its flagship competitors.
Conclusion
The decision to buy the Nothing Phone 3 over other flagships hinges on how much value you place on its unique design and features like the Glyph Matrix. While it offers advantages in terms of storage, battery size, and charging speed, it falls short in chipset power and camera quality. The Phone 3’s design is its most distinctive aspect, and for those who appreciate its aesthetic, it could be a compelling choice. However, for those prioritizing raw performance and camera capabilities, other flagships might be more appealing. As the smartphone market continues to evolve, the Nothing Phone 3 stands out as a unique flagship that prioritizes form and customizability, making it a consideration for those looking for something different.
