Nothing has officially entered the premium smartphone market with the launch of its latest model, the Phone 3, during an event in London. This exclusive club primarily comprises high-end devices from brands like Apple and Samsung, with prices starting above Rs. 70,000. Other contenders include select offerings from Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.
Recent data from Counterpoint’s April report revealed that Nothing emerged as India’s fastest-growing smartphone brand in the first quarter of the year, boasting an impressive 156% year-over-year growth. This surge was largely attributed to the successful introduction of the Phone 3a series. The market research firm noted that this marks the fifth consecutive quarter in which Nothing maintained its position as the leading growth brand in India. Their latest move into the premium segment reflects a strong market presence and sets the stage for comparisons with top-tier smartphones.
The Phone 3 starts at Rs. 79,999, closely rivaling some of the most sought-after premium smartphones on the market. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 begins at Rs. 74,999, while the iPhone 16, which debuted at Rs. 79,900, is now available at more competitive prices across various channels. Apple’s alternative offering, the recently launched iPhone 16e, is priced at Rs. 59,900. Additionally, Oppo’s Find X8 is available for under Rs. 70,000, and the Xiaomi 15 retails at Rs. 65,000, with the OnePlus 13 just below Rs. 70,000. To make a mark in this competitive field, Nothing must stand out amongst these established players.
What features does the Nothing Phone 3 have to offer? Here’s a detailed review of its aspects.
The Phone 3 design can be polarising for some users
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
Design and Display: The Signature Touch
The Phone 3 adheres to Nothing’s signature transparent aesthetic, distinguishing it from other devices on the market. The boxy design combined with a flat display offers a sleek appearance, while curved edges provide comfort for extended use. With a screen-to-body ratio of 92.89%, the bezels are slimmer than those of the previous Phone 2 model. Weighing in at 218 grams, it is slightly heftier than the OnePlus 13’s 210 grams but relatively heavier compared to the 170 grams of the iPhone 16.
The waterdrop notch at the top appears somewhat outdated, leading to wishes for a more modern approach. Nevertheless, the company has made a significant effort to incorporate sustainable materials, with the mid-frame constructed from 100% recycled aluminum, which is also used in the buttons and SIM tray. The packaging of the device has now transitioned to being entirely plastic-free.
The Phone 3 features a bright display with a refresh rate of 120Hz
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
The aluminum frame enhances its durability, providing a satisfying hand feel during regular use. The buttons—power and Essential key on the right and volume controls on the left—deliver a tactile experience.
The back panel showcases a creative asymmetrical design with a distinct geometric flair, featuring an eye-catching three-column grid. The periscope lens positioned at the top right corner offers a unique touch, albeit unconventional.
The camera arrangement at the rear of the Phone 3 is so unconventional that it could be seen as a defining design feature—a rather unexpected one.
Another notable aspect is the red recording light on the back, which activates during video capture or when using the voice recorder. Content creators can benefit from this feature, as it signals when video uploads are in progress. Additionally, the Phone 3’s IP68 rating provides peace of mind to daily users.
The Phone 3 balances its weight at 218 grams, making it comfortable for single-handed use
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
The lens configuration on the back protrudes slightly, but the device remains stable when placed on a flat surface during typing. The Phone 3 is equipped with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasting a resolution of 1260×2800 pixels, which yields a pixel density of 460 PPI. A standout feature of the display is its peak brightness capability, hitting 4500 nits during HDR content playback, achieving 1600 nits outdoors, and offering up to 800 nits in manual brightness settings. The display supports HDR10+ and has a 120Hz refresh rate, suitable for various multimedia experiences, making it versatile for gaming and video streaming or watching content. While the display performs satisfactorily, competitors like the Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13 present better display options in the same price category.
The Phone 3’s display is bright, yet offerings in this price range are impressive
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
Glyph Interface: User Interaction Redefined
The Phone 3 evolves the Glyph Interface from previous models, allowing users to interact through various functions, including app notifications and battery status. The Glyph Matrix in the top right corner utilizes 489 independently operating LEDs, allowing for customizable notifications without the need to check the screen constantly. Users can assign unique pixelated avatars to contacts that appear during calls, enhancing personalization. New ‘Glyph Toys’ add playful features like Spin the Bottle, Digital Clock, Battery Indicator, Stopwatch, and even a mini-game like Magic 8 Ball.
The Glyph Interface on the Phone 3 offers an engaging interactive feature, though it has limited functionality so far
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
Performance: A Reliable Daily Driver
- SoC – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
- RAM + Storage – Available in 12GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB versions
- Biometric – In-display fingerprint sensor
- Operating System – Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15
The Phone 3 displays fluid performance with efficient multitasking capabilities and quick app launches. Gaming experiences are impressive, with demanding titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI performing well even at high settings. The device remains cool even under extended gaming sessions, thanks to its VC cooling system. While it supports up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage, a 1TB option is noticeably absent.
Available configurations include 12GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB options
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
The Phone 3 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, which is relatively common in devices priced under Rs. 50,000. Sceptics might expect a top-tier chipset given the price, such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite. However, Nothing may be aiming to maintain a competitive price point with this model. In benchmark tests, the Phone 3 performs well compared to its peers.
| Benchmarks | Nothing Phone 3 | Oppo Find X8 Pro | OnePlus 13 | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Dimensity 9400 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| Display resolution | FHD+ | FHD+ | QHD+ | FHD+ |
| AnTuTu v10 | 20,01,364 | 23,38,411 | 22,59,761 | 21,13,343 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 16,009 | 12,868 | 14,431 | 20,833 |
| Geekbench 6 (Single) | 2,164 | 2,787 | 2,964 | 3,034 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi) | 7,063 | 8,391 | 9,081 | 9,211 |
| GFXB T-rex | 60 | 60 | 60 | 120 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 120 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 60 | 60 | 60 | 113 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | Couldn’t Run | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Slingshot | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Wild Life | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Wild Life Stress | Couldn’t Run | 23,225 | 25,427 | 24,983 |
The Phone 3 is versatile for daily tasks, efficiently handling photo editing and file transfers. The dual stereo speakers create a powerful audio experience, easily filling medium-sized rooms. Connectivity options include wireless NFC, Bluetooth 6.0, and 5G support.
The device operates on Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.5 out of the box
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
Out of the box, the Phone 3 runs on Nothing OS 3.5 with Android 15, maintaining a user interface similar to previous models. The animations are smooth, and the Dot Engine ensures the software experience remains unique. Notably, Nothing commits to offering five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches, including a promise of an upgrade to Android 16-based Nothing OS 4.0 by Q3 2025.
Another innovative feature is Essential Space, which allows users to organize thoughts and ideas in a dedicated section. The functionality includes quick access to record voice notes or screenshots directly. During testing, Essential Space proved to be a valuable addition for productivity.
The in-display fingerprint sensor proves to be responsive
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
Additionally, Essential Search improves accessibility by delivering results for contacts, images, and documents, along with weather forecasts and information without needing to navigate through the device. More personalization updates are set for a rollout later this year.
The calling experience on the Phone 3 is reliable, with clarity and no noticeable issues while using it on 5G networks with Airtel and Reliance Jio, even in challenging environments like underground parking areas.
The Phone 3 carries an IP68 rating, although its absence of IP69 is noticeable compared to some peers
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
In summary, the Phone 3 excels as a highly functional smartphone, efficiently managing light image and video editing, as well as gaming, though it is not specifically tailored for gamers.
Camera Performance: A Mixed Bag
- Camera – Triple 50-megapixel configuration (Wide, Periscope, Ultra-wide)
- Selfie – 50-megapixel sensor
- Video Recording – 4K Ultra XDR at either 30 or 60fps
The Phone 3 is equipped with a complete camera system consisting of four 50-megapixel sensors. The primary camera performs admirably, producing images with balanced exposure and a wide dynamic range. The white balance is consistent across samples, resulting in vibrant colors in daylight shots.
The primary sensor on the Phone 3 is an OmniVision OV50H, complemented by a Samsung ISOCELL JN5 telephoto lens
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
In bright and favorable lighting, the shots maintain fine details, including in macro mode, with rapid and smooth autofocus. Daylight samples show a commendable low noise level, as illustrated by various images captured during my review.
Nothing Phone 3 daylight camera samples (tap images to expand)
The Phone 3 also produces good portrait shots, ensuring adequate face exposure, and achieves decent colors and natural skin tones while effectively managing background blur.
Nothing Phone 3 portrait camera sample (tap image to expand)
The Phone 3 performs admirably in low-light conditions but has shown some inconsistencies, particularly when leveraging different lenses, which is a recurring theme seen during daylight photography as well.
Nothing Phone 3 close-up sample (tap image to expand)
Additionally, the alteration of colors when switching between the 24mm (1x), 50mm (2x), and 70mm (3x) lenses is noticeable, leading to color discrepancies. For example, a red bus captures vibrantly with the primary sensor but displays a washed-out effect when images are taken from other lenses. A software update could address these inconsistencies, and Nothing is known for promptly delivering updates post-launch.
Nothing Phone 3 low-light camera samples (tap images to expand)
The 50-megapixel front-facing camera is reliable for capturing details and dynamic range, but image quality drops at night, impacting the overall clarity.
Nothing Phone 3 selfie camera samples (tap images to expand)
The Phone 3’s video capabilities are sound, with support for 4K 60fps recording from all four 50-megapixel cameras. Overall, the camera performance offers mixed results; while the primary shooter excels, the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses fall short of expectations within this price range.
Battery Performance: A Balanced Approach
- Battery Capacity – 5500mAh
- Fast Charging – 65W (charging adapter not included)
- Wireless Charging – 15W
In India, the Phone 3 is equipped with a 5500mAh battery, while global versions have a slightly smaller 5150mAh battery. The smartphone supports fast charging at 65W and wireless charging options, including 5W reverse wireless charging. Users can expect the Phone 3 to last well over a day with heavy usage, including approximately 7 hours of screen-on time involving streaming, browsing, and gaming. For moderate use, the battery can last up to 36 hours on a single charge.
Similar to previous Nothing models, the Phone 3 does not come with a charging adapter
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
The Phone 3 impressed in the HD video loop test, running continuously for an impressive 21 hours. Testing via PCMark’s battery benchmark indicated a use time of 13 hours and 20 minutes, showcasing competent longevity under normal conditions. The 65W fast charging feature is efficient, allowing the Phone 3 to fully recharge in under an hour, achieving a 50% charge in just 20 minutes. Given the pricing, the absence of a charging adapter in the box could be viewed as a shortcoming.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 3 represents an ambitious foray into the flagship smartphone segment by a brand that has shown consistent innovation. Its distinctive design is a hallmark of Nothing products, gradually revealing its appeal with frequent use. The Glyph Interface adds a unique dimension to interactions, steering clear of excessive AI influence and offering a straightforward user experience. Performance-wise, the Phone 3 holds its own, though a more powerful chipset might have bolstered its appeal. The camera system shows promise but may require software updates to address existing inconsistencies. Additionally, the battery life lasts impressively throughout the day.
Nothing pledges five years of Android updates alongside seven years of security maintenance
Photo Credit: Mohit Dawar/ Gadgets 360
The pricing remains a critical issue. At Rs. 79,999, the Nothing Phone 3 struggles to compete against excellent alternatives available in the market. Though promotional bank offers and exchange discounts may sweeten the deal, such incentives may not be enduring. A price point below Rs. 60,000 would have likely improved its positioning in the market.
As recommended, potential buyers might want to explore options like the iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, which provide strong value for the price; similarly, the Oppo Find X8 offers compelling features, not to mention the OnePlus 13, which boasts impressive specifications at a competitive price point.
