Nothing Phone 3 Review: Bold Design, Big Rewards
▼ Summary
– Nothing Technologies is expanding into the US market with its “first flagship” phone, the Nothing Phone 3, despite a competitive smartphone industry.
– The Nothing Phone 3 offers solid specs comparable to OnePlus and Google, along with a distinctive transparent back and quirky design elements.
– The phone features a high-quality 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED screen with 1260 x 2800 resolution and 4,500 nits brightness, excelling in outdoor visibility.
– Key specs include a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, up to 16GB RAM, 50MP cameras, and Android 15 with 5 years of OS updates.
– The optical fingerprint sensor is fast but poorly positioned and overly bright in dark rooms, unlike ultrasonic sensors in competitors’ phones.
The smartphone market continues to evolve, with some brands scaling back while others push forward with innovative approaches. Nothing Technologies, the UK-based company known for its distinctive tech aesthetic, has launched its latest offering – the Nothing Phone 3 – marking its first true flagship device available in the US market. While not revolutionary in terms of raw specifications, this phone delivers solid performance alongside the brand’s signature design language that sets it apart from competitors like OnePlus and Google.
From the front, the Nothing Phone 3 appears conventional, featuring slim, symmetrical bezels surrounding its display. However, the real visual appeal comes from its transparent back panel, which reveals internal components in a way that feels both futuristic and industrial. The 6.67-inch OLED screen boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a sharp 1260 x 2800 resolution, covered by durable Gorilla Glass 7i. With a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, it outperforms many rivals in outdoor visibility, though its ultra-responsive touch sensitivity occasionally leads to accidental edge taps.
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 3 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB. The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 50MP telephoto shooter, ensuring versatility in different shooting scenarios. Powering the device is a 5,150 mAh battery supporting 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, keeping it competitive in battery life and fast-charging capabilities.
One minor drawback is the placement of the optical in-display fingerprint sensor, which sits unusually low and can be uncomfortably bright in dark environments. While it performs reliably, ultrasonic sensors found in Samsung and Google devices offer faster and less intrusive unlocking.
Running Android 15 with five years of promised OS updates, the Nothing Phone 3 ensures long-term software support. Connectivity features like Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and sub-6 GHz 5G round out its modern tech suite.
Ultimately, the Nothing Phone 3 doesn’t rewrite the smartphone rulebook, but its bold design, strong display, and capable hardware make it a compelling choice for those seeking something different in a crowded market.
(Source: Ars Technica)
