Nothing Phone 3: A Bold Leap into Flagship Territory

Introduction

In the ever-evolving smartphone landscape, Nothing has carved a niche with its unique design philosophy. With the Nothing Phone 3, launched on July 1, 2025, the company steps confidently into the flagship arena, competing with heavyweights like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25. Priced at ₹79,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant and ₹89,999 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage model in India, the Phone 3 combines innovative aesthetics with robust performance.

Available in Black and White, it hit the Indian market via Flipkart, Vijay Sales, Croma, and other major retailers starting July 15, 2025, with pre-orders opening on July 4.

A New Era of Design: The Glyph Matrix

The Nothing Phone 3 introduces a striking departure from the iconic Glyph Interface, replacing the flashing LED lights with a compact dot-matrix display dubbed the Glyph Matrix. Comprising 489 micro-LEDs, this rear-mounted screen offers more than just visual flair. It displays notifications, widgets like weather and battery status, and even playful elements like a low-resolution mirror or stopwatch.

Users can interact with it via a dedicated Glyph button integrated into the glass back, which supports short and long presses to trigger various functions.

This shift, as explained by Nothing’s design team, optimizes internal space, allowing for a sleeker profile. The Phone 3 is 18% thinner than its predecessor, the Phone 2, making it the slimmest Nothing device yet. The transparent back, inspired by the intricate lines of urban transit maps, showcases a three-column layout that elegantly integrates the camera modules and Glyph Matrix, maintaining Nothing’s signature retro-futuristic aesthetic.

Camera System: Built for Creators

Photography takes center stage with the Nothing Phone 3. The triple-camera setup includes three 50MP sensors: a main lens with an f/1.68 aperture, a periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide lens with a 114-degree field of view. The front-facing 50MP selfie camera ensures crisp self-portraits. Notable features include a telemacro mode, AI Super Res Zoom up to 60x, and shooting presets tailored for various aesthetics.

A red LED indicator, which can be disabled, signals video recording—a thoughtful nod to creators.

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Early impressions suggest the camera app is snappier than previous Nothing devices, with improved low-light processing that rivals top-tier competitors. While Nothing’s imaging has historically lagged behind, the Phone 3’s enhanced hardware and software optimizations signal a significant step forward.

Performance and Software

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, the Nothing Phone 3 delivers robust performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven tasks. While not the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite found in devices like the Galaxy S25, it offers a 60% boost in AI performance over the Phone 2 and is reportedly five times faster than the mid-range Phone 3a.

Running Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15, the Phone 3 provides a clean, bloatware-free experience with custom icons and native apps. The Essential Space feature, activated via a hardware button, enhances usability with quick AI-driven actions. Nothing promises five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches, ensuring longevity.

Display and Battery

The 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 4,500 nits peak brightness for HDR content, and Gorilla Glass 7i for durability. With IP68 protection, the Phone 3 is built to withstand dust and water. The 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery supports 65W fast charging (50% in 20 minutes) and 15W wireless charging, offering reliable endurance for a flagship device.

Availability and Pricing in India

The Nothing Phone 3 is available in India starting July 15, 2025, through Flipkart, Vijay Sales, Croma, and Nothing’s official store. Pre-orders began on July 4, with launch offers including a free Nothing Ear (worth ₹14,999) and up to 24 months of no-cost EMI. The base model (12GB RAM + 256GB storage) is priced at ₹79,999, while the higher-end variant (16GB RAM + 512GB storage) costs ₹89,999.

After bank and exchange offers, effective prices drop to ₹62,999 and ₹72,999, respectively.

Is It a True Flagship?

The Nothing Phone 3 blends premium materials, innovative design, and competitive specs, but its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset falls short of the absolute top-tier processors in pricier flagships. However, its unique Glyph Matrix, refined software, and capable camera system make it a compelling contender in the ₹80,000 segment. For those seeking a distinctive yet powerful smartphone, the Phone 3 delivers a playful yet practical experience.