Nothing Phone (3) Debuts as Brand’s Priciest Flagship Yet
▼ Summary
– Nothing launched the Phone (3), its newest flagship phone priced at $799, featuring a unique design and targeting tech enthusiasts to compete with brands like Samsung and Apple.
– The Phone (3) retains Nothing’s transparent design but introduces an unconventional camera arrangement and replaces the Glyph LED system with a circular mini LED screen called Glyph Matrix for displaying 16-bit patterns and mini-apps.
– The phone includes AI-powered features like Essential Space (for meeting recordings with AI transcriptions) and Essential Search (a natural language search tool similar to iPhone’s Spotlight).
– It boasts flagship specs, including a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, triple 50MP cameras, a 5,150 mAh battery, and runs Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15.
– The Phone (3) will be available for preorder on July 4, with general sales starting July 15, priced at $799 (256GB) and $899 (512GB), and will be sold in the U.S. via Nothing’s website and Amazon.
The Nothing Phone (3) has arrived as the brand’s most premium offering yet, marking a bold step into the competitive flagship smartphone market. Priced starting at $799, the device aims to challenge industry giants like Samsung and Apple with its distinctive transparent design and innovative features tailored for tech-savvy users.
Building on the aesthetic introduced with the Phone (1) in 2022, the Phone (3) retains the signature transparent back panel but introduces an unconventional camera layout that breaks away from traditional circular or square arrangements. This asymmetrical design choice might polarize users who prefer symmetry, but it reinforces Nothing’s commitment to standing out in a crowded market.
One of the most talked-about features is the Glyph Matrix, replacing the previous LED-based Glyph interface. Instead of simple light patterns, the Phone (3) now sports a small circular mini-LED screen on the rear, capable of displaying 16-bit styled animations. This upgrade allows for more dynamic notifications and even includes playful mini-apps like spin the bottle and rock-paper-scissors.
AI integration is another major focus for the Phone (3). The device debuts Essential Space, an upgraded app that now supports meeting recordings with AI-generated transcriptions and summaries. While useful, the lack of a web interface for accessing these notes could be a limitation. Additionally, Essential Search mimics iPhone’s Spotlight but adds AI-powered natural language queries for both on-device and web searches, similar to Apple’s Siri with ChatGPT integration.
Under the hood, the Phone (3) packs flagship-tier specs. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasts a 1.5K resolution and Gorilla Glass 7i protection, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset ensures top-tier performance. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the triple 50MP rear cameras, including a larger main sensor, a periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an ultra-wide shooter with a 114-degree field of view. The selfie camera also gets a bump to 50MP.
Battery life is robust, with a 5,150 mAh cell (5,500 mAh in India) supporting 65W wired and 15W wireless charging. Software-wise, the device launches with Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15, with a promised upgrade to Nothing OS 4.0 (Android 16) later this year. Nothing guarantees five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches, a strong commitment for long-term usability.
Available in 256GB ($799) and 512GB ($899) variants, the Phone (3) directly rivals the Samsung Galaxy S25 at a similar price point. Preorders open on July 4, with general sales starting July 15. Unlike earlier budget models, the Phone (3) will be widely accessible in the U.S. through Nothing’s website and Amazon, signaling the brand’s growing ambitions in the premium segment.
With its bold design choices, AI enhancements, and competitive hardware, the Phone (3) positions Nothing as a serious contender in the high-end smartphone arena. Whether it can sway buyers from established players remains to be seen, but the company’s willingness to innovate is undeniable.
(Source: TechCrunch)
