Nothing Phone (3) First Impression Premium Design, Glyph Matrix & Flagship Competition in India

Following a pause in their flagship lineup, Nothing has officially introduced its highly anticipated Nothing Phone (3), which had previously seen numerous leaks before launch. The new device sports an updated look, maintaining the brand’s hallmark transparent aesthetic but now featuring notable enhancements to its signature glyph lighting system. Most strikingly, the Phone (3) debuts the Glyph Matrix—a circular dot matrix display on the top-right corner of its rear panel, offering an innovative way to interact with notifications and status indicators.

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (3) is built on the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 platform and comes in two configurations: 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, and 16GB RAM with 512GB storage. In terms of pricing, the Phone (3) establishes itself as Nothing’s most premium offering to date, starting at ₹79,999 in India for the base model, while the higher variant is priced at ₹89,999. However, with introductory bank and exchange deals, buyers could avail the Phone (3) for as low as ₹62,999 or ₹72,999, depending on the variant. Details of these financial offers are expected to be clarified soon.

The device is available for pre-order now and will go on open sale starting July 15, 2025. Early adopters will also receive a complimentary pair of Nothing Ear earbuds and a one-year extended warranty with their purchase.

Nothong Phone 3: Design, Build Quality, and Display

The Nothing Phone (3) immediately announces its lineage through its unmistakable design cues, yet introduces fresh twists that set it apart from its predecessors. At first glance, the new aesthetic sparked mixed emotions, but after handling the device for a while, its unconventional charm began to win me over. Undeniably, it’s among the boldest designs currently available in the smartphone market.

This model is offered in both Black and White color options. The signature transparent back panel and sharp geometric patterns—hallmarks of Nothing’s visual identity—remain intact. However, the camera module’s layout has evolved: the trio of lenses now sit off-center, with the periscope lens taking the top-left position, while the main and ultra-wide sensors are aligned below. Adjacent to the new circular Glyph Matrix sits the flash, which also adopts a round, coin-like shape.

One feature that left a strong impression on me was the new Glyph Button, a discreetly embedded, pressure-sensitive switch on the back. It blends seamlessly with the phone’s aesthetic and enhances interactivity. Standard features such as the USB-C port, speaker grilles, and volume buttons (now residing on the left edge) remain. Notably, the Essential Key—first introduced in the Phone 3a series—makes its debut on the main numbered range.

Constructed with a fusion of glass and aluminum, the Phone (3) exudes a luxurious feel. Tipping the scales at 218 grams, it carries a reassuring heft and boasts an IP68 rating, safeguarding it against dust and water.

The refinement of the Glyph interface stands out as a major departure from the previous models. Instead of the elaborate patterns seen on the Phone (1), Nothing has opted for a smaller and more discreet Glyph Matrix: a compact disc dotted with 489 individual LEDs. This new system provides glanceable alerts, such as customizable call notifications based on your contacts.

Further enhancing this system, Nothing introduces “Glyph Toys”—a playful hub that lets you interact with the matrix. Within this suite, you’ll find tools like Glyph Mirror, Spin the Bottle, digital and solar clocks, a leveller, a stopwatch, battery visuals, and more. Each can be triggered via the Glyph Button, making the interface both practical and engaging rather than purely aesthetic.

As for the screen, improvements are subtle since its predecessor’s panel was already impressive. The bezels have been slimmed by around 18% compared to the Nothing Phone (2), giving the device an even more immersive appearance. The display itself is a flat, flexible AMOLED panel with a sharp 1.5K resolution and a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness is quoted at a dazzling 4,500 nits, though we’ll verify this claim with full testing soon.

Nothing Phone 3: Camera

On the rear, the Nothing Phone (3) is equipped with a trio of 50MP cameras. Both the main sensor and the periscope lens benefit from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for sharper photos and steadier videos. The ultra-wide lens relies on EIS and boasts a sweeping 114-degree field of view. The periscope camera supports 3x optical zoom, up to 6x digital (in-sensor) zoom, and an impressive 60x AI-enhanced “super zoom,” which leverages artificial intelligence to retain clarity at longer ranges.

Nothing Phone 3 Camera Images

This periscope lens also functions as a macro shooter, enabling crisp close-ups. For video enthusiasts, the Phone (3) can record in 4K at 60 frames per second and offers slow-motion capture in 1080p at 240 fps. Selfie fans aren’t left out—this generation features an upgraded front camera with a 50 MP sensor. I haven’t had a chance to put these cameras through their paces yet, so watch for a comprehensive camera review coming soon.

Nothing Phone 3: Performance

At the heart of the Nothing Phone (3) is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor from Qualcomm, the same powerhouse used in phones like the iQOO Neo 10 and Poco F7—both of which are priced more competitively. The device offers configurations of up to 16GB RAM and 512GB internal storage, providing ample performance and space for users. Battery capacity varies by region, with the Indian edition packing a sizable 5,500mAh Silicon Carbon battery, while international variants come with a 5,150mAh battery. For charging, the Phone (3) supports 65W fast charging through USB Power Delivery and also accommodates wireless charging at speeds up to 15W.

On the software front, the Phone (3) arrives with Nothing OS 3.5 layered over Android 15. Nothing has pledged five years of software updates along with a generous seven years of security patches, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date well into the future.

Nothing Phone 3: Final Impressions

The Nothing Phone (3) stands out as one of the most intriguing releases from the brand yet and represents a noticeable step forward compared to the Phone (2). The introduction of the Glyph Matrix marks a thoughtful departure from the previous light strips, resulting in a more refined—and less distracting—approach to notifications and flair. The selfie camera now gets a meaningful boost as well, and overall, the device radiates a sense of luxury and modernity.

Still, with a base price tag of ₹79,999, the Nothing Phone (3) sits at the higher end of the market and will have to work hard to justify its cost. It finds itself in direct competition with heavyweight flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S25/S25 Plus, iPhone 16/16 Plus, Xiaomi 15, OPPO Find X8, and several others—all of which bring their own compelling flagship features to the table. While its design may intentionally break away from perfect symmetry, Nothing makes a conscious effort to provide a well-rounded experience—yet, given today’s competitive Indian smartphone market, this careful balance may still come off as slightly off-kilter, especially when evaluating its price-to-value ratio.