Nothing has always stoof out for its distinct design. From the transparent backs to the light-up Glyph interface, the brand has consistently delivered in terms of character and vibe.
The Nothing Phone (1) gave us a fresh design, and the Phone (2) polished that design into a more usable daily device. Now, with the Nothing Phone (3), the company has released a device that genuine feel like a flagship.
After getting our hands on it, here's what's new and how it feels to use.
Editor
Celine Low chevron_right
Table of Contents
Design & Build
Nothing phones might look like someone's science project but it never feels like it's going to fall apart. From the moment you hold the Phone (3), it feels premium and solid.
It’s now certified IP68 water resistant, so you don't have to worry about a few splashes or getting caught in the rain. Plus, the use of Gorilla Glass 7i on the front adds an extra layer of durability. So rest assured, you won't feel your heart shatter when the phone falls on the ground.
The bezels have been slimmed down to just 1.87mm, making the screen feel even bigger. The signature transparent back is still there, but it's been redesigned with a put together but still fun look. In fact, it seems that the Nothing Phone (3) shares the same design aesthetic as the Nothing Headphone (1). Paired up side-by-side, the two devices look like a matching set.
Performance & Battery
The Phone (3) runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, which may not be the absolute fastest chip on the market — you'd find something a bit more powerful in a phone like the Galaxy S24 Ultra — but it's more than fast enough for most people. Apps launch in a flash, AI features feel snappier, and mobile games run fluidly without any lag. It's the kind of performance that just gets out of the way and lets you do what you need to do.
The battery has also been bumped up to a sizeable 5150mAh, and with 65W wired charging, you can go from 0 to 50% in under 20 minutes. That's perfectly ideal especially when you're in a rush. Wireless charging also gets a boost to 15W.
The display, a vibrant 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED, is another standout feature. At a whopping 4,500 nits, it's bright enough to use on a sunny day without needing to cup your hand over the screen. The screen also has a higher PWM dimming rate of 960Hz, which means the visuals are cleaner and more stable, even when you’re scrolling through social media in the dark.
Camera
This is where the Nothing Phone (3) truly feels like a flagship. It comes with four lenses, and all of them are a fantastic 50MP.
The main camera has a larger sensor that pulls in 44% more light than its predecessor. Your night shots and photos in tricky lighting finally look crisp and clear, without a lot of graininess. Meanwhile, the front camera is also 50MP, with strong video stabilisation, making it a great choice for vlogging or video calls on the go.
For the periscope zoom, you have options of 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless, and up to 60x AI zoom, so you can capture something from far away without it looking blurry. The ultra-wide lens has a 114° field of view, perfect for group photos or landscapes.
All four lenses can shoot up to 4K 60FPS. Nothing has also refined its image processing, so your videos look vibrant and colourful without looking overly processed. The one thing that might be a bit of a mixed bag is the camera placement on the back — it's definitely unique, but whether that's a good thing or not is up to personal taste!
The Exclusively 'Nothing' Features
Beyond the specs, the Phone (3) is packed with unique software and hardware features that give it a distinct personality.
Instead of the old light strips, the new Glyph Matrix is a circular LED disc with 489 lights. It can be used as a handy timer for cooking, show the volume level, or even act as a caller ID without you needing to flip the phone.
With a new side-button shortcut, you can quickly save screenshots, voice notes, or photos. Everything is then automatically transcribed and made searchable with a built-in AI, which is incredibly useful for students or journalists. You can even flip the phone to auto-record meetings, with a red light showing that you are recording.
For Nothing OS 3.5, the new Essential Search is a universal search bar that can quickly find files, contacts, or basic info like weather. Nothing is also promising 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security patches, putting it on par with the best in the business.
What We Liked
Cool, distinct design
Aesthetically, the Nothing Phone (3) is always a standout. Unlike other phones that all look the same, this device has a strong personality and character. Its signature transparent back and refined look give it a vibe that is both playful and premium, making it a joy to hold and use.
A genuine flagship feel
Nothing has successfully elevated the Phone (3) to a true flagship device. It feels genuinely solid, fast, and reliable. The performance is strong enough for any daily task or creative project, proving that it's no longer just a gimmick but a serious contender in the high-end smartphone market.
Smooth and clean software
The software on the Nothing Phone (3) is praised for being smart, intuitive, and clean. It avoids being overbearing, providing a smooth and enjoyable user experience without unnecessary bloatware. This makes the phone a great choice for anyone who values simplicity and efficiency.
What We Disliked
Unusual camera placement
This isn't a huge problem, but the camera placement is quite strange and could be a potential hurdle for people who are used to more familiar camera arrangements. It's clearly a design choice that places uniqueness over comfortable use.
Who Is This For?
At RM3, 299, the Nothing Phone (3) is not aimed at those who need the absolute highest performance for demanding tasks like 4K video editing, but rather at someone who desires an easy and bloat-free experience for daily use.
If you're tired of using a phone that looks just like everyone else's, the Nothing Phone (3) is probably the most unique device you’ll see in 2025. It’s no longer just a phone with a cool design — it’s a genuinely solid, fast flagship with a great camera system and smart software. A good choice for someone who values character in their tech and wants a phone that feels both playful and adept.
You can purchase Phone (3) from Nothing's website and their official flagship online stores on Lazada and Shopee.
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