The highly anticipated Nothing Phone 3 has officially landed, making its global debut on July 1, 2025, with sales commencing on July 15, 2025. Heralded by Nothing as their first “true flagship,” the Phone (3) aims to disrupt the smartphone market with its signature transparent design, an evolved Glyph Interface, and a strong emphasis on personalized AI experiences. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know.
Price and Availability in India
The Nothing Phone 3 is positioned in the premium segment, with its pricing in India starting at:
- ₹79,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant.
- ₹89,999 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant.
Pre-bookings for the Phone (3) began on July 1, 2025, and early birds are in for a treat! Customers who pre-book will receive Nothing Ear (worth ₹14,999) absolutely free. Additionally, specific bank offers (HDFC, IDFC, ICICI) are providing an instant discount of ₹5,000 during the first sale. With bank and exchange offers, the effective price can go down to ₹62,999 for the base model.
The Phone (3) will be available in classic Black and White color options and can be purchased via Flipkart, Flipkart Minutes, Vijay Sales, Croma, and other leading retail stores.
Specifications: Power Meets Transparency
Nothing has packed the Phone (3) with impressive hardware, aiming for a smooth and powerful user experience:
- Display: A vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED Flexible LTPS display with a sharp 1.5K resolution (2800 x 1260 pixels) and a buttery-smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It boasts a stunning peak brightness of 4500 nits and 2160Hz PWM Dimming for comfortable viewing. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i (front) and Gorilla Glass Victus (back).
- Processor: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 4nm Mobile Platform. While not the absolute top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, it’s a highly capable chipset promising significant performance gains over its predecessor. Nothing claims a 36% faster CPU and 88% faster GPU compared to the Phone (2).
- RAM & Storage: Available in 12GB LPDDR5X RAM with 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, and a top-tier 16GB LPDDR5X RAM with 512GB UFS 4.0 storage.
- Cameras: A quad 50MP camera system across the board!
- Rear: A triple 50MP setup with a 1/1.3″ main sensor (OIS, PDAF), a 50MP ultrawide (114° FoV), and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and up to 60x AI-enhanced digital zoom. All rear lenses support 4K 60fps video recording.
- Front: A 50MP selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture, also capable of 4K 60fps video.
- Battery: A robust 5500mAh silicon-carbon battery (India model, international model features 5150mAh) supporting 65W wired fast charging (0-50% in 19 minutes, full charge in 54 minutes), 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging.
- Software: Runs on Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.5 on top. Nothing has committed to an industry-leading 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security patches. Nothing OS 4.0, based on Android 16, is expected in Q3 2025.
- Durability: IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
- Connectivity: 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 be), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS, USB Type-C, NFC.
- Other: In-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, no 3.5mm headphone jack.
Groundbreaking Features and What’s New
The Nothing Phone (3) introduces several innovative features that set it apart:
- Glyph Matrix: This is the evolution of Nothing’s iconic Glyph Interface. Instead of simply bright LEDs, the Phone (3) features a micro-LED display integrated into the Glyph system. This monochrome screen, powered by 489 individually firing LEDs, can show app alerts, contact notifications, real-time progress indicators, and even act as a digital clock, stopwatch, or battery indicator. Nothing is even releasing a public SDK for developers to create their own Glyph Matrix widgets and games, promising a truly customizable experience.
- Essential Key: A new physical button on the side that provides quick access to Nothing’s “Essential Space” app. This app is designed to be a hub for notes, screenshots, and voice recordings, with new AI features.
- Flip to Record: A clever AI feature that, when combined with a long press of the Essential Key and turning the phone face down, automatically starts recording and transcribing conversations, providing a summary for later review.
- Essential Search: An AI-powered universal search bar accessible with a swipe up from the home screen. It goes beyond simple app and contact search, offering instant answers to queries and aiming to provide personalized suggestions over time, integrating with your photos and notes.
- Camera System Overhaul: All four cameras (three rear, one front) are 50MP, promising consistent and high-quality imaging. The addition of a periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is a significant upgrade, expanding photographic capabilities.
- Nothing OS 3.5 (and 4.0 coming soon): While visually similar to previous Nothing OS iterations, version 3.5 brings under-the-hood optimizations and new AI integrations. The promise of Nothing OS 4.0 based on Android 16 shortly after launch shows Nothing’s commitment to software innovation.
- Enhanced Durability: The use of Gorilla Glass Victus on the back and Gorilla Glass 7i on the front, coupled with an IP68 rating, makes the Phone (3) more resilient than its predecessors.
Pros and Cons: A Balanced View
Pros:
- Unique Design & Glyph Matrix: The transparent aesthetic remains distinctive, and the new Glyph Matrix offers genuinely innovative and functional ways to interact with notifications and information.
- Strong Camera System: Four 50MP cameras, including a periscope telephoto, signify a serious upgrade in photographic capabilities, with 4K 60fps recording across all lenses.
- Flagship-level Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, while not the absolute top, provides excellent power for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Exceptional Software Support: 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security patches are among the best in the Android ecosystem, ensuring long-term usability.
- Impressive Display: The 1.5K AMOLED with 4500 nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate delivers a premium viewing experience.
- AI-driven Features: Essential Key, Flip to Record, and Essential Search highlight Nothing’s unique approach to integrating AI into daily smartphone use.
- Solid Battery Life & Fast Charging: The 5500mAh battery with 65W wired charging ensures you’re powered up quickly and efficiently.
- Premium Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 rating add to the phone’s durability and premium feel.
Cons:
- Price Point: At nearly ₹80,000 for the base model, the Nothing Phone (3) enters a highly competitive flagship segment dominated by established players.
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: While powerful, some might question why Nothing didn’t opt for the absolute latest and most powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, especially given its “flagship” positioning and price.
- Glyph Matrix Novelty: While innovative, the long-term utility of the Glyph Matrix will depend on app integration and user adoption of its features.
- No 3.5mm Headphone Jack: A common omission in flagships, but still a con for audiophiles.
- Limited Availability (Initial): While launching in major channels, initial stock and widespread availability might be a factor.
The Verdict: A Bold Step Forward
The Nothing Phone (3) is undoubtedly Nothing’s most ambitious smartphone to date. It doubles down on the brand’s unique design philosophy while significantly upgrading core hardware components like the camera system and processor. The innovative Glyph Matrix and AI-driven software features like Essential Key, Flip to Record, and Essential Search demonstrate a clear vision for a more intuitive and less screen-dependent smartphone experience.
While its price point firmly places it in direct competition with established flagships, Nothing’s commitment to long-term software support and its distinct approach to design and user interaction could carve out a significant niche. For those seeking a phone that truly stands out from the crowd, offers a compelling software experience, and is packed with modern features, the Nothing Phone (3) is definitely worth a close look. It’s not just a phone; it’s a statement.
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