Nothing Phone 3 Launched

In the relentless churn of the smartphone industry, where iterative updates drop like clockwork every 6-8 months, anticipation often fizzles before the product even lands. Flagships from giants like Samsung and Apple generate predictable buzz, while others, like recent Huawei offerings, earn respect post-launch. But it’s a rare beast indeed that manages to whip up fervent speculation and excitement a full year before its existence is even confirmed. Enter the Nothing Phone (3). Against all odds, this device became that anomaly, a subject of intense tech niche fascination for two long years. And now, it’s finally here.

The prolonged wait wasn't accidental. While competitors flooded the market with often indistinguishable successors, Nothing played the long game. They cultivated mystery, fueled leaks sparingly, and focused on building a distinct identity within that passionate corner of the tech world craving phones that dare to look different. Whether this strategy paid off hinges on the product itself. So, let's dissect the long-awaited Nothing Phone (3).

The Phone (3) makes its intentions clear immediately: evolution, not revolution, but evolution with conviction. Leaks had already prepared the world for its most controversial aspect: the design. The reaction online was instant and polarized. Platforms like X erupted with takes ranging from calling it a "total overkill in the name of experimentation" and "uninspired" to some defending its boldness. The camera module, in particular, drew strong reactions – an unconventional, almost sculptural arrangement that undeniably breaks the mold. Love it or loathe it, it sparks conversation.

Beyond the divisive aesthetics, the build remains premium: glass back, aluminum frame. The iconic Glyph Interface undergoes its own transformation, becoming the "Glyph Matrix." It's smaller, now monochrome, and denser, packing a staggering 489 individual LEDs. Practicality also sees a significant boost: the IP rating jumps from IP54 to IP68, meaning true dust-tightness and deeper water resistance. Dual SIM flexibility improves too, offering one nano-SIM plus eSIM support.

Nothing retains the familiar 6.67-inch canvas but significantly upgrades the panel. Out goes the LTPO OLED; in comes a 120Hz AMOLED Flexible LTPS display. Resolution gets a welcome bump to 2800 x 1260 pixels, pushing pixel density to 460ppi for crisper visuals. The headline grabber? A staggering peak brightness of 4500 nits, ensuring visibility even under harsh sunlight. It remains flat (a win for many), supports HDR content, and strikes an excellent balance between sharpness and fluid refresh rate responsiveness.

Rumors swirled about a flagship-killer chip like the Snapdragon 8 Elite or Gen 3. While the Phone (3) doesn't quite reach those heights, it makes a substantial leap. Powered by the capable Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm process), it features potent Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 cores alongside the new Adreno 825 GPU. This represents a major upgrade over the Phone (2)'s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, promising significantly better CPU and graphics performance for demanding tasks and gaming.

Perhaps the most exciting performance news is on the software front. The Phone (3) launches with Android 15 overlaid by Nothing OS 3.5. Crucially, Nothing commits to 5 major Android upgrades – a significant extension of their previous support promise, offering much-needed long-term reassurance.

Following the mid-range Phone (3a)'s triple camera hint, the flagship delivers a major photographic upgrade. Gone is the dual-camera setup; the Phone (3) boasts a versatile triple 50MP array:

Main (50MP): Features the OV50H sensor (1/1.3"), Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and a wide f/1.68 aperture for excellent low-light capture.

Periscope Telephoto (50MP): The standout addition. Offers 3x optical zoom and up to 60x digital zoom, addressing a critical omission from previous models.

Ultrawide (50MP): Equipped with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and Staggered HDR support for wider, stabilized shots.

Selfies also get a boost with a new 50MP front camera (up from 32MP), featuring EIS, Staggered HDR, and 4K@60fps video recording.

Endurance gets a solid upgrade with a 5150mAh battery – larger than average for its class, aided by the efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. Charging sees major improvements too:

65W Wired Charging: Significantly faster than the Phone (2).

15W Wireless Charging: Convenient cable-free topping up.

Reverse Charging: 7.5W reverse wired and 5W reverse wireless, turning the Phone (3) into a power bank.

Note: Following industry trends, no charger is included in the box, though a 5A cable is provided for use with compatible 65W adapters.

The Phone (3) stays future-proofed with robust connectivity:

Network: Dual 5G support.

Wireless: Wi-Fi 7 (the latest standard) and Bluetooth 5.3.

Navigation: Comprehensive support including dual-band GPS (L1+L5), NavIC, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS.

Ports: USB Type-C (no headphone jack).

Sensors: In-display fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, e-compass, ambient light, proximity, flicker sensor.

The Nothing Phone (3) arrives after an unprecedented two-year hiatus carrying significant weight: the burden of pent-up expectation and the challenge of justifying the delay. Its polarizing design ensures it won't blend in, living up to Nothing's ethos of distinctiveness. The upgrades, however, are undeniable: a much brighter, sharper display; a substantial performance leap; a genuinely versatile triple 50MP camera system (finally including a periscope zoom); a larger battery with vastly faster charging; and the crucial promise of 5 years of OS upgrades.

It’s not the absolute spec-sheet king some hoped for, but it represents Nothing’s most comprehensive and ambitious phone yet. The two-year wait yielded a device that pushes boundaries visually and delivers meaningful, well-rounded improvements across the board. Whether its bold aesthetic wins hearts or not, the Phone (3) proves that taking time, even in the fast-paced smartphone world, can result in a product that feels deliberate, distinct, and decidedly more. The niche buzz wasn't for nothing, after all. Now, the real test begins: can it convert that anticipation into widespread appeal?