Nothing Phone 3 Review: Best Flagship of 2025 with Transparent Design & Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
π₯ Nothing Phone 3 Review – Bold Design Meets Solid Performance (Global Edition)
The Nothing Phone 3 steps into the spotlight in 2025 as the brand’s first true flagship. Sporting the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a unique Glyph Matrix LED display, and a clean minimalist UI, Nothing aims to challenge household names—Apple, Samsung, and Google—with distinct flair and long-term support.
Priced at approximately $799 / £799 / ₹79,999 for 12GB/256GB, with upgrades up to 16GB/512GB, the Phone 3 is now available globally on July 15, following its pre-order launch on July 4.
π Specs Snapshot
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Display | 6.67″ OLED, 1260×2800px (1.5K), 120 Hz, 4500 nits peak |
Processor | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm), Adreno 825 GPU |
RAM / Storage | 12GB + 256GB or 16GB + 512GB (no microSD) |
Rear Cameras | Three 50MP sensors: wide + periscope telephoto (3×) + ultra-wide |
Front Camera | 50MP selfie, 4K@60fps video recording |
Battery | ~5,150 mAh (international), 5,500 mAh (India) |
Charging | 65W wired, 15W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless |
Software | Android 15 w/ Nothing OS 3.5 → Android 16 (Nothing OS 4.0) |
Updates | 5 major Android OS upgrades + 7 years security patches |
Special Features | “Glyph Matrix” LED back display, Essential Key & AI tools |
Water Resistance | IP68 certified |
Price (USD/₹) | $799 (12/256) · $899 (16/512) · ₹79,999 onwards |
Availability | Global sale from July 15, available via official site & Amazon . |
π¨ Design & Build – A Visual Statement
The Phone 3 embraces a fully transparent aesthetic with a modern twist. Rather than the older glyph lighting, it features the Glyph Matrix—a circular dot-matrix mini-display on the back that shows time, notifications, mini-games ("Toys"), and even a mirror mode.
The phone is quite substantial at 218g, but the glass-metal build, Gorilla Glass 7i front, and Victus back feel premium. IP68 water and dust resistance further elevates its durability.
π± Display – Slick, Bright & Vivid
-
6.67″ OLED panel offering 1.5K resolution (~1260×2800px) and 120 Hz refresh rate.
-
Brightness peaks around 4500–4500 nits, making it highly legible outdoors.
-
HDR10+ support and 2160Hz PWM dimming add precision and quality.
-
Slim bezels (~1.87mm) contribute to a refined visual experience.
Overall, this display rivals other flagships in vividness and fluidity—though it lacks LTPO adaptive refresh scaling.
π Performance – Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Delivers
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a step up from Nothing’s past midrange chips and offers flagship-tier responsiveness.
-
Real-world use is smooth for multitasking, browsing, media streaming, and mid-heavy games.
-
While not on par with Snapdragon 8 Elite, it’s snappy and efficient.
-
UFS 4.0 storage and 16GB RAM on select models enhance data speeds and app loading.
Notably, some reviewers reported heat buildup under very heavy sustained usage—not surprising for a 4nm chipset at flagship package density.
πΈ Camera System – Versatile Trio of 50MP Sensors
Rear Setup:
-
50MP main camera with OIS and EIS
-
50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 3× optical zoom and macro support
-
50MP ultra-wide lens (114° FOV)
Front:
-
50MP selfie camera, capable of 4K@60fps video capture.
In good lighting, photos are detailed and rich in color. The telephoto zoom works well in daylight and macro shoots. But in low-light, image quality is inconsistent—edge softness and auto-exposure glitches persist. Overall, camera performance is good but not league-leading.
π Battery Life & Charging – Solid but Not Class-Leading
-
International models house a 5,150 mAh battery; Indian models raise it to 5,500 mAh using silicon-carbon tech.
-
65W wired fast charging—0 to 62% in 30 minutes, full charge in just over an hour; 15W wireless charging is included.
PhoneArena's battery benchmarks show:
-
~14h video playback
-
~9h gaming
-
~6h browsing
Slightly below modern flagships but enough for all-day use.
π§ Software & Features – Clean, Minimal, Intelligent
Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15, provides a clean, monochrome-first interface with bold icons and fluid animations. It’s ad-free and minimal, sticking to Nothing’s design DNA.
AI-powered tools include:
-
Essential Space – auto-tags and saves screenshots or voice notes as events, tasks, or reminders.
-
Essential Search – smart universal search across documents, apps, web & AI.
-
Flip to Record – intuitive way to quickly record audio notes.
Nothing has committed to 5 major Android updates and 7 years of security updates, starting with Android 16 (Nothing OS 4.0) arriving in Q3 2025.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
✅ Pros
-
Unique, eye-catching design with Glyph Matrix LED
-
120Hz OLED display with 4500 nits brightness
-
Capable Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset with UFS 4.0 storage
-
Versatile triple 50MP camera system with telephoto
-
Clean, minimal software with long software support
-
IP68 rating & wireless charging included
❌ Cons
-
Camera underperforms in low-light vs flagships
-
Heavier than average at 218g
-
LTPS OLED rather than LTPO—no adaptive refresh rate scaling
-
Around $800 price puts it in Samsung/Apple flagship territory
-
Heat output under prolonged load can be noticeable
π― Who Is It For?
This phone excels for:
-
Design lovers who value transparent aesthetics and visual flair
-
Those who want creative and interactive features like Glyph Matrix and Toys
-
Users wanting long-term software support
-
Fans of minimalist and clean software without ads or clutter
Less suitable for:
-
Performance seekers looking for best-in-class benchmarks
-
Low-light photography fans wanting flagship grade camera results
-
Lightweight phone users—this one is fairly heavy
π§ Comparison – How It Stacks Up
-
Vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 / iPhone 16 / Pixel 9: Those phones offer superior cameras, faster chips, and refined AI features—but Phone 3 is far more design-focused and playful.
-
Vs. Pixel 9a / Nothing Phone 3a Pro: More affordable, but less unique in materials and flair. The 3a Pro offers telephoto and better cameras, though still at a sub-$400 price tag.
π Final Verdict – Worth the Flagship Hype?
The Nothing Phone 3 delivers on its promise of identity, design, and clean experience. It’s not the fastest or best camera performer in its class—but if you care about aesthetics, intuitive features, and long-term updates, it’s a compelling alternative to conventional flagships.
Final Score: 8.2 / 10 – Refreshing, fun, and capable flagship with a twist π¨
Comments
Post a Comment