Nothing, a technology brand founded by Carl Pei, has been steadily growing its footprint in the smartphone market, recently expanding into various segments. The company’s lineup includes products like the CMF Phone 1, starting at ₹15,999, and the outdated Phone 2, which was priced at ₹39,999 before a permanent reduction in December 2023. Now, after a two-year wait, the company has unveiled the Phone 3, marking its entry into the premium smartphone segment at a higher price point than its predecessor, the Phone 2, indicating that Nothing is gearing up to compete with major players in the industry.
The announcement of the Phone 3 sparked immediate comparisons with other models, particularly in pricing and features. While the global market might offer limited options, the Indian smartphone landscape is crowded with numerous Chinese brands, making the competition different.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S series is a well-established name in India, having been a premium choice for many years. Samsung’s latest addition to this series is the Galaxy S25 Edge, which aims to revitalize interest in slim smartphones. With the Nothing Phone 3 priced at ₹79,999 for the base model, it presents a fitting challenger to the Galaxy S25, which shares a similar price tag. This comparison will outline the distinctions between these two smartphones.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Price in India
The Nothing Phone 3 has a pricing advantage, with the base model of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage retailing for ₹79,999, while the top-tier version with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is available for ₹89,999. This pricing reflects a shift from Nothing’s traditional price points, even for its premium devices.
In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S25 starts at ₹74,999 for the entry-level 12GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, while its higher-end model with 512GB storage is priced at ₹92,999.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Design
The Nothing Phone 3 comes in two color options—White and Black. The Galaxy S25, however, is available in Navy, Ice Blue, Silver Shadow, and Mint. There are also special colors like Blue Black, Coral Red, and Pink Gold, offered online only.
The design of the Nothing Phone 3 is a mix of retro and modern aesthetics, consistent with Nothing’s philosophy of showcasing internal components in a subtle manner. The camera layout departs from the conventional format, featuring individual cameras emerging from a transparent rear glass panel, creating an abstract design. The LED flash is discreetly integrated, while a small red box lights up when recording video. This creative approach may not appeal to everyone, but it caters to those seeking something unique.
Additionally, the Phone 3 introduces the Glyph Matrix, a circular display comprising 489 micro LEDs that can show animations, notifications, and more. Users can also engage with widget-like features called Glyph Toys, which include games that lend an element of fun to the device.
Conversely, the Galaxy S25 sports a more traditional design, with a minimalist aesthetic seen in its rear-facing cameras. Weighing in at 162g, the Galaxy S25 is light and compact, while the larger Galaxy S25+ weighs 190g. The Nothing Phone 3, however, is heavier at 218g. Both models offer an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Display
Featuring a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, the Nothing Phone 3 boasts a resolution of 1,260 x 2,800 pixels with a pixel density of 460 ppi. Unlike many competitors, it utilizes an LTPS panel instead of LTPO, meaning it cannot drop its refresh rate to 1Hz when idle to conserve battery life.
The Samsung Galaxy S25, in contrast, has a 6.15-inch Super AMOLED LTPO display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,340 pixels (FHD+) and has a higher refresh rate of 120Hz. Though both displays are impressive, the LTPO technology employed by Samsung provides better energy efficiency.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Performance and OS
Powering the Nothing Phone 3 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC, which reaches clock speeds of up to 3.2GHz and is manufactured using a 4nm process. While it is a recent release from Qualcomm, it is not the top-tier chipset available. The device runs on Nothing OS, a modified version of Android 15, offering a distinct user interface. However, it lacks certain advanced AI features and functionalities found in other Android devices. Nothing promises five years of software updates and seven years of security patches for this model.
On the other hand, Samsung leverages the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, with an impressive clock speed of 4.47GHz tailored for Samsung devices. This powerful processor features in many high-end smartphones. The Galaxy S25 utilizes One UI 7, based on Android 15, which highlights numerous AI capabilities from both Google’s and Samsung’s systems. Samsung commits to offering seven years of software updates and security patches.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Cameras
In terms of camera specifications, the Nothing Phone 3 provides a competitive advantage. It comes equipped with a triple rear camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom with OIS, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. The front houses another 50-megapixel selfie camera.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 employs a camera configuration similar to the Galaxy S23, including a 50-megapixel primary camera (OIS), a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. Selfies are taken care of by a 12-megapixel front camera with PDAF.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Battery
The Nothing Phone 3 is equipped with a robust 5,500mAh battery for the Indian variant (5,150mAh for the international model). Although it does not utilize the latest in battery technology employed by some Chinese brands, it supports 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
In comparison, the Galaxy S25 houses a 4,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy S25+ offers a 4,900mAh battery. Despite their lower capacities, both devices benefit from an efficient 3nm processor. The Galaxy S25 limits wired charging to 25W, while its larger counterpart manages 45W. Both models support 15W wireless charging.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25: Conclusion
The distinctive design of the Nothing Phone 3 is likely to elicit varied reactions among consumers. This provocative aesthetic seems intentional, designed to spark conversation and curiosity. Beyond its exterior, the phone houses unique design choices that may contribute to a premium smartphone experience on paper.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S25 has served as a reliable option for many users over the years, although its camera hardware remains largely unchanged. The launch of the Phone 3 presents Nothing with a promising opportunity to make a memorable entry into the premium smartphone market, despite the high initial pricing.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Nothing Phone 3 comparison
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| Key Specs | ||
| Display | 6.20-inch | 6.67-inch |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite | – |
| Front Camera | 12-megapixel | 50-megapixel |
| Rear Camera | 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 10-megapixel | 50-megapixel + 50-megapixel + 50-megapixel |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB, 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Battery Capacity | 4000mAh | 5500mAh |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 15 |
| Resolution | 1080×2340 pixels | 1260×2800 pixels |
