Nothing Phone (3) review – is it really a worthy flagship?

Over the previous couple of years, Nothing has constructed a strong title for itself within the tech trade, producing quite a lot of distinctive, progressive gadgets and equipment and promoting them for inexpensive costs. Nonetheless, on July 1, 2025, the corporate dropped its first “true flagship” with a value to match. Whereas it definitely is exclusive, the Nothing Telephone (3) has already confirmed fairly controversial resulting from its steep value, daring aesthetic, and a few attention-grabbing decisions concerning its options and {hardware}. So, naturally, we needed to seize the chance to evaluate it and see the way it sizes up.

I obtained the evaluate unit on Friday, July 4, and I’ve spent the final week placing it by its paces in day-to-day life. So let’s check out my time with the Nothing Telephone (3) to this point to see the way it compares to the perfect Android telephones available on the market, and, in fact, whether or not it lives as much as the price.

Worth and availability

The Nothing Telephone (3) is offered now on the Nothing web site for $799 / £799. Presently, each the 12+256GB and 16+512GB variations are going for this value, although the location lists the 16+512GB’s regular value as $899 / £899. We’re at present not sure how lengthy this sale value will likely be accessible. When it comes to shade, it is accessible in each black and white.

Except for the design, the worth is definitely one of the contentious factors about this telephone. Nothing is understood for producing a few of the finest price range telephones, so releasing a flagship-priced telephone with a much less highly effective chip than its rivals in the identical value bracket is definitely a alternative.

Selecting a value of $799 / £799 places the Telephone (3) in direct competitors with a few of the largest gadgets available on the market. For context, the Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S25, and the iPhone 16 all launched at this value level, whereas the newest telephone we have reviewed with an 8s Gen 4 chip, the Poco F7, sits at solely $399 / £389 for the 12+256GB model or $449 / £429 for the 12+512GB model.

The Nothing Telephone (3) does provide another nice options and specs which will make the worth worthwhile for some, however the asking value does really feel fairly steep within the present market.

Specs

Listed here are the Nothing Telephone (3)’s specs:

Efficiency and gaming

Over the previous week, my expertise with the Telephone (3) has been very easy. I’ve spent loads of time exploring Shibuya and the Metaverse in Persona 5 X, and have been impressed with the short loading occasions and the way attractive all the pieces seems to be.

Sadly, as talked about above, the Nothing Telephone (3)’s chip is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 as an alternative of the Snapdragon 8 Elite many people anticipated for the worth. For those who’re unaware, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a comparatively new and strong chip, however is definitely thought-about mid-range, and a lot of the finest gaming telephones in the same value vary function the extra highly effective 8 Elite chip, which provides them a few 30-40% efficiency lead over the Telephone (3). This consists of the Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, although the Telephone (3) is priced decrease than each of those at present.

Based on Evangelidis, Nothing made this choice as using the 8s Gen 4 means the Nothing Telephone (3) can present 5 years of software program updates and 7 years of safety updates, which is a considerable enchancment over the Nothing Telephone (2)’s three years of Android updates and 4 years of safety patches. However, whereas this extended help could also be good for the telephone’s longevity and worth for cash, it does introduce limitations for these of you seeking to spend all of your time taking part in the perfect cellular video games. Because of this, it additionally makes it robust for the Nothing Telephone (3) to face out towards rivals that supply the 8 Elite chip for a barely greater value.

Fortunately, although, I’ve not discovered the 8s Gen 4 to be underpowered to this point – and, as a consumer, you won’t even discover the distinction until you are planning on stepping into tremendous graphically intensive video games. Personally, I’ve primarily been utilizing the Nothing Telephone (3) to play the perfect gacha video games, and efficiency has been tremendous easy up till now. Video games like Genshin Influence, Honkai Star Rail, Persona 5 X, and Wuthering Waves all run like a dream on medium to excessive settings, with fast load occasions and little or no stuttering or efficiency dips. I’ve additionally discovered that the telephone has stayed surprisingly cool whereas taking part in P5X particularly, even after lengthy gaming classes throughout a heatwave, although it does run a bit of sizzling when taking part in Genshin on the best graphical settings.

Exterior of gaming, the Telephone (3) is good for day-to-day use, whether or not you are utilizing all of your favourite apps, watching media, or shopping the online. All the things is slick and fast, and even rotating your telephone ends in a handy guide a rough switchover time.

Design

As talked about above, the Nothing Telephone (3)’s design has confirmed fairly divisive since its launch – much more so than the Nothing Headphone (1), which got here out on the identical time. Nothing’s earlier telephones have all featured visually pleasing geometric patterns and the distinctive Glyph Interface, which has turn into a signature that followers look ahead to with every system. This interface usually options a number of Glyph lights that include preset results tied to totally different ringtones and notifications, permitting you to inform if you’ve acquired a notification or name, even when your telephone is face down.

Nonetheless, the slick lights and round patterns we have come to acknowledge aren’t current this time and are as an alternative changed with asymmetrical squares and features underneath a clear glass again. The Glyph lights are additionally changed with a small round display with a dot show referred to as the Glyph Matrix, which we’ll talk about additional within the options and software program part of this evaluate.

Whereas the Glyph Matrix is definitely an attention-grabbing (although considerably gimmicky) function, it appears fairly an odd alternative to thoroughly step away from the signature design folks have come to like, particularly in your first premium-priced handset. I really feel the Glyph Matrix would’ve been higher obtained if it had been additionally accompanied by these futuristic gentle strips and round patterns sported by the earlier gadgets.

As for the cameras, whereas their specs are definitely spectacular (extra on that later), the entrance digital camera and ultra-wide digital camera each protrude fairly a bit, which feels a bit of dangerous. Maybe I am simply paranoid, however I think about it will be fairly simple to scratch them or catch them on one thing whereas pulling your telephone out of your pocket.

Fortunately, the telephone does include a pre-applied display protector and a transparent silicone case with raised edges for cover. As a aspect observe, I used to be additionally pleasantly stunned by the standard of the SIM tray ejector instrument, which, relatively than a easy (and bendable) pin, is fairly strong and comes with a transparent plastic grip for ease of use.

Just like the Headphone (1), the Telephone (3)’s distinctive design seems to be higher in actual life, and it is undoubtedly grown on me since seeing it in particular person. I believe if I would seen this system with out Nothing’s earlier telephones to match it to, I’d’ve been much more impressed.

Nonetheless, the generally unfinished traces, misaligned cameras, and the half-covered screw on the high do look a bit of odd. It definitely has a divisive aesthetic, however I am nonetheless completely happy to see Nothing sticking to its motto of making progressive and attention-grabbing designs. Whether or not you adore it or hate it, it’s going to definitely flip heads when you’re out and about.

Options and software program

Whereas it is taking some time for me to get used to Android 15 after years of Apple utilization, Nothing OS is kind of intuitive and comes with minimal bloat. I additionally discovered transferring all the pieces from my iPhone to the Nothing Telephone (3) to be a reasonably streamlined course of.

There are loads of customization choices, permitting you to tweak the house display, lock display, app tray, and extra to your liking, and navigation is kind of simple as soon as you have gotten used to the place all the pieces is.

I am additionally pleasantly stunned by the standard of the built-in speaker and microphone from what I’ve skilled, although they’re definitely removed from the perfect, and connecting to my headphones by way of its Bluetooth 6.0 is a reasonably seamless expertise. The telephone additionally boasts a catch-all, Ai-powered swipe-up search bar that permits you to do nearly all the pieces, from fixing math issues to checking a recipe, with out having to enter particular person apps.

Now, onto the large standout function – the Glyph Matrix. As with earlier Glyph programs, you’ll be able to alter its brightness, arrange what sort of notifications you wish to show and what patterns you need related to them, join it to totally different ringtones, and extra. The Glyph Matrix additionally includes a visible countdown when utilizing the digital camera timer, a visualization of present quantity ranges if you flip your audio system or headphones up or down, a torch, and extra. Sadly, the torch is not fairly as vivid or evenly unfold as what the Glyph lights present on earlier telephones, however it’s nonetheless vivid sufficient to get the job carried out.

On high of that, the Glyph Matrix helps using Glyph Toys. Presently, the Glyph Toys function a mirror that permits you to body selfies with a stay preview, spin the bottle, rock paper scissors, a digital clock and separate timer, with extra promised to be on the best way. Nothing has additionally opened the ground to the neighborhood, and customers have already created some enjoyable instruments like a purposeful leveler. I am wanting ahead to seeing what else crops up sooner or later.

Presently, although, the stay preview for photographs is not the perfect because of the dot design and appears a bit of redundant contemplating the strong 50MP front-facing digital camera. It additionally does a worse job at this than different telephones with secondary screens. Nonetheless, it does serve its function and permits for extra flexibility with regards to snapping pictures.

You’ll be able to toggle the Glyph Matrix on and off and customise its choices within the telephone’s settings, then use the round capacitive Glyph button positioned beneath it on the again of the telephone to regulate it. You’ll be able to faucet the button as soon as to cycle by the Glyph Toys and long-press to pick out one. Quite than being clickable, the button is a strain sensor that offers haptic suggestions much like Apple’s Forcetouch. I’ve discovered it may be a bit of finicky to activate, however I am glad to say that it would not get in the best way too typically.

Like earlier Nothing telephones, the Telephone (3) additionally options a further aspect button. Positioned on the correct aspect of the telephone, this button is named the ‘important key’, and you should utilize it to take fast screenshots, file voice memos, and use AI evaluation by way of the Important House App. I just like the performance of with the ability to take a fast screenshot or file a voice memo on the go, however it would not actually really feel helpful sufficient to warrant its personal devoted button. In truth, I am unable to say I’ve discovered myself utilizing it very a lot in any respect. At the very least, not deliberately. The important key being positioned beneath the lock display button makes it really feel rather a lot like a quantity rocker, and has definitely led to loads of unintended presses as I have been getting used to the telephone.

Show

The Nothing Telephone (3) includes a 6.67-inch versatile AMOLED show, which is, unsurprisingly, completely attractive. From inky blacks to vibrant colours, all the pieces seems to be beautiful, and with its excessive PPI (pixels per inch) of 440 and 120Hz refresh price, you’ll be able to at all times depend on the smoothest visuals.

The display is bigger than my iPhone 13’s, and when gaming or watching movies, you’ll be able to seamlessly fill the complete show with solely the front-facing digital camera to interrupt you. It additionally has a really excessive peak brightness of 4,500 NITS, making certain nice visibility in diversified lighting situations, even direct daylight.

On high of that, the Nothing Telephone (3)’s display includes a contact sampling price of 1,000 Hz, which surpasses even the ASUS ROG Telephone 9 Professional, leading to unimaginable responsiveness. That is notably helpful when taking part in the perfect FPS video games, the place each second counts.

It’s totally a lot a flagship display, boasting the identical pixel density because the iPhone 16. Nonetheless, it does use the marginally cheaper LTPS tech versus the LTPO tech employed by most flagship Android telephones. Because of this, whereas different telephones are able to decreasing their refresh price all the best way all the way down to 1 Hz, the Telephone (3) can solely go as little as 30 Hz.

This does not actually impression how the show seems to be, and also you probably will not discover it in any respect, however it does have an effect on the telephone’s battery life. Fortunately, it might probably deal with that decrease energy effectivity as a result of, as we’ll spotlight later, the battery here’s a actual powerhouse.

The one different factor to notice is that the Telephone (3)’s show is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, which is as soon as once more a midrange choice when in comparison with different flagships’ extra sturdy Gorilla Glass Victus or Victus 2. Like different options, this probably will not make an enormous distinction to most of you, however contemplating the truth that the Glyph Matryx needs you to maintain your Telephone (3) face down more often than not, it feels a little bit of a dangerous alternative.

Cameras

The Nothing Telephone (3) boasts 4 50MP cameras, which is actually fairly spectacular. Because of this, you are assured to get high-quality photographs regardless of which digital camera you are utilizing. The TrueLens Engine 4 makes snapping professional-style pictures a breeze, boasting a portrait optimizer, movement seize mode, macro mode, and extra. The zoom is good, permitting for some very clear pictures from afar, and the UI may be very intuitive and straightforward to navigate.

The bigger sensor with shallow depth of area does imply that you will generally discover particulars popping out a bit of tender if you zoom into photographs you have taken, and this softness may also carry over to pictures taken with the telephoto lens. Nonetheless, the latter is the primary supply of your macro pictures, and permits you to snap some actually sharp and detailed close-up pictures. Then again, the ultrawide and selfie cameras are simply probably the most constant of the 4, and you may get some actually sharp and beautiful pictures with them.

When it comes to video, the Nothing Telephone (3) helps extremely XDR video recording at 60 or 30 FPS, 1080p extremely XDR video recording at 60 or 30 FPS, and slo-mo in 1080p at 240 or 120 FPS. It additionally helps time-lapse recording at 4K/1080p.

General, the cameras are actually strong, providing just about all the pieces most customers will need. They do not totally evaluate to the likes of the perfect Google Pixel telephones, however with a little bit of fine-tuning, they’re undoubtedly up there.

Battery

From my expertise to this point, I’ve discovered the Telephone (3)’s battery to be extremely strong. I’ve spent hours gaming, shopping, and watching movies on one cost, and its 65W quick charging means it juices up in a short time when utilizing a suitable charger. The Nothing-branded USB-C to USB-C cable within the field can also be a good size and feels very sturdy. At 15W, the wi-fi charging permits you to take the battery from 0% to 50% in round 45 minutes, which is fairly spectacular.

Even with the aforementioned LTPO tech, the Telephone (3) continues to be able to outlasting the Samsung S25 and the iPhone 16, and may even go head-to-head with higher-priced telephones in most eventualities. It is quoted as having a 5,150 mAh battery, however in response to Nothing it is really rated at a 5,500 mAh battery, which is definitely of a flagship stage, far surpassing most of its rivals. It will possibly even last as long as two days with out cost with informal use, although you will probably have to cost it on the finish of the day when you’re doing loads of gaming, utilizing the digital camera, or watching movies.

Contemplating the worth of the telephone, it will’ve been good to get an adapter for wall charging, however it works properly with my iPhone plug, and that is a small grievance, actually.

Verdict

So, is the Nothing Telephone (3) value it? Properly, sure and no. Personally, I am very a lot having fun with my time with it, and may see myself utilizing it as my fundamental telephone for the forseeable. Nonetheless, it would not actually provide the perfect worth for cash proper now.

At a flagship value, it makes fairly just a few compromises on its {hardware} that make it arduous to suggest it over its rivals, particularly when you’re not bought on the quirky design and the distinctive Glyph Matrix.

Then again, it does nearly all the pieces you want it to for day-to-day use, boasting a very flagship battery, a beautiful display, extremely quick efficiency with regards to shopping and scrolling, minimal bloat, and extra. It additionally works very properly with all the preferred Android video games available on the market proper now.

Personally, I would suggest this telephone in a heartbeat if it was accessible for round $100 / £100 much less, so preserve a watch out for any gross sales sooner or later. However, within the meantime, it could be value seeking to the competitors if you’d like worth for cash.

Alternate options

Not bought on the Telephone (3)? That is truthful sufficient, actually. For those who’ve come this far, you most likely know what telephones I am gonna suggest, however listed below are some nice options so that you can contemplate.

Samsung Galaxy S25

For across the identical value because the Telephone (3), you may get the 128GB model of the Samsung Galaxy S25, full with the extra highly effective Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Whereas the specs are a little bit of a step down in another areas, this little magnificence is at present one of the highly effective flagships available on the market, providing a high gaming expertise in a smaller package deal. Take a look at our full Samsung Galaxy S25 evaluate to be taught extra.

iPhone 16

Sticking to the same value bracket, Apple’s iPhone 16 is an extremely strong iOS telephone with top-tier efficiency, wonderful cameras, and extra, all at an affordable value. As soon as once more, it is a step down from the Telephone (3) in some areas together with battery and show, however it’s an important choice for day by day use and gaming alike, and it typically goes on sale. Take a look at our full iPhone 16 evaluate to be taught extra.

And that is all the pieces I’ve acquired on the Nothing Telephone (3). For those who’re nonetheless on the hunt for a brand new system, you should definitely take a look at our high picks for the perfect Samsung telephones, the perfect iPhone, and the perfect Xiaomi telephones to be taught extra in regards to the Nothing Telephone (3)’s rivals.