Nothing Phone (3) review: A flagship smartphone for hipsters and geeks

By | July 14, 2025
Nothing Phone 3 Glyph interface close-up

When Nothing burst onto the smartphone scene, it promised to shake things up. With its minimalist ethos and transparent designs, the company attracted both tech enthusiasts and lovers of unique aesthetics. Now, with the launch of the Nothing Phone (3), the brand proves it’s more than just a design gimmick. This phone is a bold step into flagship territory — not just for hipsters, but for geeks who care about power under the hood.

Design: Signature Transparency Gets a Polished Upgrade

The Nothing Phone (3) stays true to the brand’s core identity: clean lines, transparent back, and the iconic Glyph interface. But this time, the execution feels more premium. The LED Glyphs are now customizable for specific app notifications and contact alerts — a functional evolution of what was previously just eye candy.

The body is slimmer than the Phone (2), with a slightly more refined aluminum frame. It feels sturdy yet lightweight — perfect for those who want their devices to be both practical and stylish.

For design lovers: It’s still the most recognizable Android phone on the market.
For geeks: The Glyph SDK now supports third-party integration — a fun playground for developers.

Display: Brighter and Smoother

Nothing has upgraded the OLED panel with a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display, supporting up to 144Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits peak brightness. Colors are vibrant, and animations feel buttery smooth, especially in gaming or multitasking.

Performance: Snapdragon Power Meets Clean OS

Under the hood is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, paired with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. In real-world usage, this translates to flagship-level performance — fast app switching, zero lag gaming, and seamless video editing.

The Nothing OS 3.0, based on Android 14, is clean, minimal, and surprisingly feature-rich. Unlike bloat-heavy skins, it emphasizes speed and user control, with enhanced privacy features.

Camera: Much Improved, Still Not Pixel-Level

The dual 50MP sensors — wide and ultra-wide — offer a marked improvement over the Phone (2). Image quality is sharp, colors are natural, and low-light shots have better dynamic range. That said, it still can’t quite compete with the likes of the Pixel 8 or Galaxy S24 Ultra in computational photography.

New features like Glyph Timer for hands-free night shots, and Motion Mode for dynamic subjects, add useful touches for casual photographers.

Battery Life: All-Day with Smart Charging

Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, the Phone (3) easily lasts a full day with heavy usage. Charging speeds are now 65W wired and 15W wireless, with intelligent battery health management to prolong lifespan.

Pros:

  • Unique and functional design
  • Snappy performance with clean software
  • Bright 144Hz LTPO OLED screen
  • Improved camera with smart Glyph features
  • Great battery life with fast charging

Cons:

  • Still lacks IP68 water resistance
  • Camera lags behind top flagships in low light
  • No telephoto lens
  • Premium pricing compared to mainstream alternatives

Verdict: A Niche Flagship Worth Considering

The Nothing Phone (3) is not just about standing out — it finally delivers where it counts: performance, usability, and user-focused features. It may not beat Apple or Samsung in raw specs, but it carves a unique niche in the flagship market.

If you’re a geek who values software freedom, or a hipster who loves devices that don’t look like everyone else’s — this is the flagship for you.