Nothing’s back with its most ambitious swing yet, and frankly, it couldn’t have come at a better time. While the smartphone landscape has devolved into a parade of indistinguishable glass rectangles, the British tech upstart just dropped the Phone (3), a device that dares to ask why our most personal technology feels so impersonal. In fact, this falls directly in line with what the brand set out to do when it launched back in 2022.
There Was No Rush
Nothing’s third-generation flagship arrives after a two-year development cycle, and the extended timeline shows. While most manufacturers aim for annual releases, the British company took a different approach with the Phone (3), using the extra time to refine both hardware and software in ways that feel more substantial than merely incremental.
The result is a device that builds thoughtfully on Nothing’s established design language while addressing the practical shortcomings that kept previous models from true flagship status. At $799, it slots directly into premium territory alongside devices from Samsung, Google, and Apple, but with a distinctly different perspective on what a smartphone should be (if you want a more budget-friendly option, we recommend Nothing’s CMF sub-label).
The Glyph Matrix Evolution
The most significant change centers around Nothing’s signature rear lighting system. The Phone (3) replaces the LED strips of previous models with what the company calls the Glyph Matrix, a small micro-LED display positioned in the top-right corner of the phone’s back panel.
This shift from abstract light patterns to actual visual information makes the feature more immediately useful. App notifications, contact alerts, and system indicators now display as recognizable icons rather than coded light sequences that would have previously required memorization. A dedicated button on the rear lets you cycle through different functions without flipping the phone over.
The accompanying Glyph Toys add practical utilities like a stopwatch, battery indicator, and digital clock, alongside more frivolous options including games developed with input from Nothing’s user community. It’s a more mature implementation of a play-oriented concept that started with the original Phone (1).
Refined Design Language
Nothing’s transparent aesthetic gets architectural updates with the Phone (3) as well. The rear panel adopts a tri-column layout that creates visual structure while accommodating the new camera arrangement and Glyph Matrix positioning. The brand’s signature transparent elements are still there, but they’re just now organized with more intentional geometry.
Despite housing a larger battery and upgraded camera hardware, the Phone (3) measures 18% thinner than its predecessor. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display features uniform 1.87mm bezels and achieves peak brightness levels of 4,500 nits. For those counting at home, these are specifications that match or exceed more expensive competitors on the market. Likewise, the overall build quality represents a step up from previous Nothing phones, with IP68 water resistance and premium materials throughout.
Performance and Camera Upgrades
The camera system receives significant attention with four 50MP sensors across main, ultrawide, telephoto, and front-facing positions. Luckily, the main sensor grows to 1/1.3″ with optical image stabilization, addressing low-light performance issues from earlier models. A new periscope telephoto provides 3x optical zoom with OIS, which fans recognized as a definite gap in Nothing’s previous camera offerings. All lenses support 4K 60fps video recording, and Nothing has collaborated with professional photographers to develop preset modes that simplify achieving specific looks without manual adjustment.
This time around, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor boasts some big performance improvements over the Phone (2)’s processor, with 36% better CPU performance and a whopping 88% improved GPU capabilities.
Software Integration
Like it has in the past, the latest Nothing OS 3.5 builds on Android 15 with features that feel integrated instead of just tacked on. The Essential Key from the 3a series makes its flagship debut, providing quick access to AI-powered search and organization tools. Essential Search allows natural language queries across device content and also basic information requests. A new Flip to Record feature automatically starts transcription when you place the phone face-down and hold the Essential Key, which will be incredibly useful for meetings or interviews without requiring any distracting screen interaction.
Spec Sheet
Model: Nothing Phone (3)
Operating System: Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15 base)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
Display: 6.67″ AMOLED, 1.5K resolution, 120Hz adaptive refresh, 4,500 nits peak brightness
Memory: 12GB/16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB/512GB
Dimensions: 6.32” x 2.98” x 0.35”
Max Battery Life: 80 hours
Cameras: 50MP main (OIS), 50MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto (3x zoom, OIS), 50MP front
Water Resistance: IP68
Colors: Black, White
Updates: 5 years Android updates, 7 years security patches
Pricing & Availability
Pre-orders for the Nothing Phone (3) begin July 4, with general availability starting July 15. The 12GB/256GB model costs $799, while the 16GB/512GB configuration runs $899. Nothing is launching simultaneously in the U.S. market for the first time, selling through its own website and Amazon with compatibility across major carriers.
Recap
Nothing Phone (3)
After a 2-year gap, Nothing debuts its 3rd-gen flagship smartphone that sees incredible boosts in capability and introduces a unique Glyph Matrix system that informs you of notifications from the rear of the phone.
