When Carl Pei launched the Nothing brand, it felt like a breath of fresh air in a saturated smartphone market. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re now looking at the company’s third flagship — the Nothing Phone (3) — a bold statement that it’s ready to go head-to-head with giants like Samsung, Apple, and Google. But the question remains: does it have what it takes?
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the Nothing Phone (3), its features, expected specs, how it positions itself against top-tier flagships, and why it might just disrupt the status quo once again.
1. The Journey So Far: How We Got to Nothing Phone (3)
The original Nothing Phone (1) wowed with its transparent design and quirky Glyph lights. It wasn’t just hype — the phone offered real value and carved a niche for design-forward tech enthusiasts. Phone (2) refined that vision with better performance, cleaner software, and a polished aesthetic.
Now, with Phone (3), Nothing is no longer just the underdog — it’s signaling its intent to lead. Carl Pei’s strategy has always been about storytelling. With each release, the brand grows stronger — not just in specs, but in identity.
2. Design That Speaks Loud Without Shouting
Nothing Phone (3) features the company’s signature transparent design, complete with the updated Glyph Interface 3.0. Now with more customization, notifications, and even app-based light signals — the phone quite literally “lights up” when it matters.
The materials are expected to be more premium this time — likely aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and a more ergonomic body. Slimmer bezels and a symmetrical layout give it a modern yet distinctive feel.
3. Display: Flagship-Level Eye Candy
Reports suggest that the Nothing Phone (3) will feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel, LTPO technology with adaptive refresh rate (1–120Hz), and HDR10+ certification.This means buttery-smooth scrolling, vibrant colors, and high brightness even in outdoor sunlight. The inclusion of LTPO shows that Nothing is serious about battery efficiency too.
The flat panel design (if retained) is also refreshing — avoiding the overused curved glass trend many flagships are still clinging to.
4. Performance: Finally, a Snapdragon 8 Series?
Rumors strongly hint that the Nothing Phone (3) will feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 or even the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. That’s a massive leap.
This would mean:
- Flagship gaming and multitasking performance.
- Better AI integration for camera and system tasks.
- Efficiency gains thanks to a 4nm process.
With 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, this device may finally close the spec gap with the top dogs.
5. Camera System: Nothing 3 Playing with the Pros
With computational photography enhancements, Night Mode improvements, and Nothing OS camera tuning, we might be looking at the brand’s first true flagship-grade shooter.
Leaks suggest the Phone (3) will come with:
- 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS.
- 50MP ultra-wide sensor with autofocus.
- A possible telephoto lens — a first for Nothing.
Expect 8K video recording, cinematic bokeh, and even an upgraded selfie camera with 32MP resolution.
6. Software: Nothing OS 3.0 — Pure, Powerful, Personal
The upcoming Nothing OS 3.0, expected to launch alongside Phone (3), is rumored to bring:
- Enhanced Glyph integrations.
- Smarter widget stacks.
- Built-in AI assistant tools.
- Focus mode and dynamic theming.
Users can expect 3 major Android updates and 4 years of security patches, keeping it in line with Pixel and Samsung phones. More than just looking clean, the OS feels snappy, is easy to customize, and gives power users more control.
7. Battery & Charging: Fast, Efficient, Wireless
The Nothing Phone (3) will likely pack a 5,000 mAh battery — a slight upgrade from its predecessor. Combined with LTPO display and Snapdragon 8 efficiency, that means all-day endurance.
Charging won’t disappoint either:
- 45W wired charging.
- 15W wireless charging.
- 5W reverse wireless charging.
And yes, nothing will continue supporting USB-C PD standards, so you won’t be stuck buying proprietary chargers.
Read: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7: What to Expect on July 9
8. Connectivity & Extras: Everything You Expect
The Phone (3) is shaping up to offer:
- Wi-Fi 7 for ultra-fast downloads.
- Bluetooth 5.4 with LE audio support.
- Dual 5G SIM support.
- IP68 dust and water resistance.
Plus, rumors suggest better haptics, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and possibly satellite emergency connectivity, making it truly future-proof. It may even include eSIM support, following the trend set by Apple and Google.
9. Price & Availability: The Real Shock?
Carl Pei has hinted that Nothing wants to stay “accessible” — but that doesn’t mean cheap. Expect the Nothing Phone (3) to start around $599–$699, depending on region and configuration.
That puts it in the same ballpark as the Pixel 8, OnePlus 12R, and Galaxy S23 FE — all excellent phones, but few offer the design-forward appeal and software polish that Nothing is gunning for.
A July 2025 release is most likely, with pre-orders opening soon after the launch event.
10. The Competition: Can Nothing Outshine the Big Names?
The market is more crowded than ever. Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, and Google are all making serious moves in the flagship space.
But here’s what makes Nothing different:
- Unique aesthetic and identity.
- Focus on software purity.
- Emphasis on user experience over specs alone.
- A brand that speaks directly to younger tech-savvy audiences.
In short, Nothing doesn’t try to be everything for everyone. It’s building a community-driven flagship — one that balances power with personality.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone (3) isn’t just another iteration — it’s a statement. It says, “We’re no longer the underdog.” With major upgrades in design, power, camera, and software, it finally earns its place in the flagship arena.
If Carl Pei and team price it right, deliver on performance, and polish the user experience even further, this might be the most exciting Android phone of 2025 — not because it has everything, but because it dares to be different.