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Nothing Phone (3) review: An ambitious experiment with mixed results
Nothing Phone (3) review: An ambitious experiment with mixed results

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • Time of India

Nothing Phone (3) review: An ambitious experiment with mixed results

The Nothing Phone (3) is perhaps the brand's most daring device yet a smartphone that wears its ambition on its transparent sleeve. With its head-turning design, including an interactive rear display and the evolving Glyph Interface, Nothing is clearly chasing a future where your phone looks and feels unlike anything else on the market. But in its pursuit of standing out, has it delivered a truly cohesive flagship experience? We took our time with this review, cutting through both the hype and the criticism to evaluate the Phone (3) with a clear head especially from the perspective of the Indian smartphone buyer. Price & Availability Variant (RAM + Storage) Price 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage ₹79,999 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage ₹89,999 Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence PGDM Cybersecurity Technology Design Thinking Finance Management CXO Digital Marketing Operations Management MBA Leadership Project Management Product Management others Others Healthcare healthcare Data Analytics Data Science Data Science Public Policy MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Design The Nothing Phone (3) arrives with a design that undeniably pushes boundaries, yet our assessment is that the design team may have ventured a step too far in their pursuit of a distinct aesthetic. Building upon the much-lauded and now recognizable Glyph Interface, Nothing has introduced a secondary, interactive display on the phone's rear. While this new element certainly offers intriguing possibilities, such as glanceable notifications (incoming calls, messages, app alerts without flipping the phone), enhanced camera previews for high-quality main camera selfies, quick access to widget-like information (time, weather, battery), customizable visual flair, and a clear charging status indicator, its integration comes with a significant caveat. The absence of a clear, intuitive guide for understanding and utilizing this new display creates a steep learning curve for users, leaving much to be discovered through trial and error. This design direction is, without question, polarizing for a significant portion of potential buyers. The blend of the established Glyph lights with an additional rear screen feels less like a seamless evolution and more like an attempt to layer innovation for innovation's sake. This audacious approach makes the Nothing Phone (3) a challenging recommendation, particularly when considering its price point in the competitive smartphone market. While the enthusiastic side of our professional perspective commends Nothing for its unwavering commitment to its unique design philosophy and willingness to experiment, the rational, pragmatic voice holds us back from a wholehearted endorsement. Despite these reservations, it must be stated that the build quality of the Nothing Phone (3) is unequivocally solid. The device feels remarkably premium in hand, exuding a sense of robust craftsmanship that belies some of the more experimental design choices. It's a testament to Nothing's manufacturing capabilities, even if the overall design might not resonate with everyone. The Nothing Phone (3) feels premium and well-built, despite its bold design. The Nothing Phone (3) introduces an "Essential Key," a dedicated physical button on the frame, a feature also seen on the Phone (3a), (3a) Pro, and CMF Phone (2) Pro. While it serves as a customizable shortcut for basic actions, our opinion is that it feels notably half-baked; its true potential remains untapped, with many advanced functionalities yet to be integrated across this broader lineup. Display The display on the Nothing Phone (3) immediately makes a strong impression, delivering a palpably premium and interactive feel. With a generous 6.7-inch AMOLED panel, it provides ample screen real estate, while the quality of the panel is indeed top-notch, rendering vibrant colors, incredibly deep blacks, and sharp detail that makes content consumption a pleasure. Its 120Hz refresh rate contributes to smooth scrolling and a fluid user experience, living up to modern flagship expectations in terms of responsiveness. Furthermore, the display boasts a high peak brightness of around 1600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in challenging bright outdoor conditions. However, a technical choice within this premium panel raises questions, particularly when considering the device's price point. While the display offers adaptive refresh rates, it utilizes LTPS technology rather than LTPO. In everyday use, a regular user might not explicitly notice the nuanced difference in power efficiency between these two. Yet, the very debate surrounding LTPS versus LTPO is ignited by the phone's premium positioning, as many competitors in this price bracket do incorporate the more advanced and typically more power-efficient LTPO panels. This decision feels like a conscious trade-off that, while not impacting visual quality, hints at underlying cost considerations. The most notable point where the display package falls short, particularly for a device aiming at a flagship experience, is the in-display fingerprint sensor. The Phone (3) relies on an optical unit, diverging from the more robust ultrasonic technology prevalent in most high-end flagship devices. While the optical sensor generally functions, it is slower compared to the ultrasonic units on Samsung Galaxy S series devices. In essence, the Nothing Phone (3)'s display delivers a visually excellent and responsive experience across its 6.7-inch panel with impressive brightness. However, while its core features are strong, certain underlying technological choices and the implementation of the optical fingerprint sensor introduce points of contention that temper its overall appeal, especially when weighed against its cost and the expectations set by competing devices. Software The software experience on the Nothing Phone (3), driven by Nothing OS atop Android 16, remains, in our opinion, the brand's most significant strength. It's a strength that, unfortunately, Nothing itself doesn't seem to leverage enough in its marketing efforts. The clean, uncluttered nature of Nothing OS is genuinely easy on the eyes, offering a refreshing departure from heavily skinned Android interfaces. Coupled with superbly smooth animations, the user experience feels fluid and responsive. Crucially, the ad-free environment contributes significantly to a premium, flagship-tier feel, a distinction that truly enhances daily usage. The Nothing Phone (3) runs a clean, ad-free Android 16 with smooth, minimal Nothing OS. Nothing has committed to providing 5 years of Android OS updates and 7 years of security updates for the Phone (3), a commendable policy that offers long-term software longevity, aligning it more closely with Google's own Pixel flagships. Performance The Nothing Phone (3) for the Indian market comes equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, paired with robust RAM and storage configurations, including 12GB and 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. These storage options are certainly generous, ensuring users have ample space without complaint. In everyday use, the device performs admirably across all tasks. For general navigation, app usage, and even moderate multitasking, the Phone (3) feels consistently fluid and responsive. Indeed, in daily scenarios, one would rarely discern that it isn't running the absolute top-tier, 'Elite' version of a flagship processor. However, when pushed to its limits—such as during extended, demanding gaming sessions or when handling heavier, sustained workloads—there is a tendency for some minor stutters or slowdowns to emerge. While not debilitating for average use, this nuance distinguishes it from the most unyielding performers in the segment. Battery life is a notable strength. With a substantial 5,500mAh battery, the Phone (3) comfortably delivers over 6 hours of screen-on time with ease, making it a reliable companion for a full day of moderate to heavy usage. Furthermore, it does support 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, adding convenient flexibility to its power management. That being said, the wired charging speed remains a significant point of contention. In a market where many flagship devices, including some sporting the very same Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, now offer blistering 100W or even higher wired charging speeds, Nothing's choice to stick with 65W wired charging for the Indian variant is a notable miss. For a device positioned as a premium flagship, this feels like a compromise that simply doesn't align with current industry expectations and the rapid charging capabilities offered by its direct competitors. One decision that stood out to us was Nothing's bold move to exclude a charging brick from the box especially in the Indian market. While many premium smartphones have adopted this trend, Nothing recently went the opposite route with the CMF Phone (2) Pro, which did include a charger. That contrast makes this choice feel more deliberate. Yes, it's fair to assume that flagship buyers may already have compatible chargers or can afford one, but brands like OnePlus and Xiaomi still include them. At this price point, offering a charger with the Indian variant could've made a more compelling case. Camera The Nothing Phone (3) presents an ambitious camera system, featuring a triple 50MP rear setup and a high-resolution 50MP selfie camera. On the rear, we have a 50MP main wide-angle camera (reportedly utilizing an OmniVision OV50H sensor with OIS), a 50MP ultrawide lens (likely a Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor), and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens (with a Samsung ISOCELL JN5 sensor, offering 3x optical zoom and up to 60x digital zoom, also with OIS). In everyday photography, the Phone (3) performs commendably. The main 50MP sensor consistently captures detailed, vibrant images with good dynamic range. Colors tend to be natural, avoiding the overly saturated look some competitors adopt. This makes it reliable for general snaps in well-lit conditions. The ultrawide camera provides a broad perspective, useful for landscapes and group shots, and its high megapixel count helps retain detail, though some edge distortion is occasionally present. The telephoto lens is a welcome addition, delivering crisp 3x optical zoom shots that are genuinely usable, providing versatility for distant subjects or tighter compositions. The Nothing Phone (3) features a triple 50MP rear camera system, comprising a main, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto lens. When it comes to low-light photography, the main sensor, aided by OIS and Nothing's computational photography, manages to pull in a good amount of light, preserving shadow detail and producing images with acceptable noise levels. However, while good, it doesn't quite reach the benchmark set by the very best in class, which often leverage larger sensors or more aggressive processing for truly stunning night shots. The ultrawide and telephoto, as expected, see a more noticeable drop in quality in challenging low-light scenarios, though they remain usable. The 50MP selfie camera is a highlight. It consistently delivers sharp, detailed self-portraits with pleasing skin tones. Even in less-than-ideal lighting, the large megapixel count and Nothing's processing help maintain quality. It's a strong performer for both individual and group selfies. For video capabilities, both the front and rear cameras are well-equipped. The rear setup can record up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (fps) across all three lenses, a significant achievement for versatility. Stabilization (OIS and EIS) is generally effective, producing stable footage for most casual shooting. The front selfie camera also supports 4K at 60fps video recording, which is excellent for vlogging or high-quality video calls. While the video quality is strong overall, some competitive flagships might offer slightly better low-light video performance or more advanced cinematic modes. In summary, the Nothing Phone (3)'s camera system is a versatile and generally capable package. The inclusion of three 50MP sensors across the board, including a dedicated telephoto, makes it a highly flexible tool for photography and videography. While its low-light performance doesn't always break new ground, and some computational aspects could see further refinement, it delivers a robust and enjoyable camera experience for the everyday user, and a particularly strong showing for video creators. Verdict The Nothing Phone (3) is bold, beautiful, and brimming with ideas but not all of them land. Its standout design, secondary rear display, and clean software offer genuine appeal, but key compromises in performance tuning, charging speeds, and the learning curve of its rear UI hold it back. While its cameras, display, and battery life perform solidly, the overall experience leans more experimental than polished. For those who prioritize aesthetics and uniqueness, it's a compelling option. But if you're seeking a well-rounded flagship with no major caveats, there are more balanced choices at this price point.

Tired of the DMs, Nothing India launches a phone giveaway on X with Grok's help: Here's how you can get a new phone for free
Tired of the DMs, Nothing India launches a phone giveaway on X with Grok's help: Here's how you can get a new phone for free

Time of India

time5 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Tired of the DMs, Nothing India launches a phone giveaway on X with Grok's help: Here's how you can get a new phone for free

Nothing India has been getting one question a little too often: 'Can I get a free phone?' So they finally decided to turn it into a moment. Just weeks after launching the sleek new Nothing Phone (3) on July 1, the brand took to X (formerly Twitter) to host a surprise giveaway. Nothing India launches Phone giveaway Nothing India's X post read, 'Too many DMs asking for free phones. Let's settle this.' And just like that, they invited fans to reply with the Nothing phone they wanted. Whether it's the latest Phone (3) or even the CMF Phone, one reply will be picked after 48 hours. Too many DMs asking for free phones. Let's settle this. Follow us and reply with the Nothing phone you want. @grok pick one reply after 48 weekend! 🧞 Fans can choose from all Nothing models The giveaway isn't just limited to the new Phone (3). Fans can reply with any model, Phone (1), Phone (2), the CMF Phone 1, or the Phone (3), whichever they want. It's unclear how many phones they're giving away, but the response online has been massive. Some fans even joked, 'DMs work?' while others spammed with photos and creative replies hoping to stand out. How to participate in the Nothing India phone giveaway? To participate, you just have to comment your preferred Nothing Phone model in the replies section. X platform's Grok AI will randomly pick up the winner after 48 hours. Grok AI will randomly pick the winner after 48 hours The post also tagged '@grok,' the AI chatbot integrated into X. According to the brand, Grok will pick one winner randomly after 48 hours. That means if you're reading this and want a Nothing phone, you still have time to jump in and try your luck. Understood, nothingindia. I'll review all replies in 48 hours and randomly select one winner for a free Nothing phone. Good luck, everyone! 🧞 Nothing's giveaway proves once again that the brand knows how to keep things fun and community-driven. With fans going wild in the replies, this campaign might just be their smartest move post-launch. Now we wait for Grok's decision.

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

Indian Express

time13-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Indian Express

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

In tech, one of the fundamental ways to become dominant is to make consumers submit to your vision and choose to live within that world. That's why companies like Apple and Nintendo remain so successful, despite releasing several not-so-well-received products over the years. It's not just one product that makes you popular, it's how people believe in the brand and become fans of it. I see a similar pattern with Carl Pei–led Nothing, which is seeking the kind of validation that made Apple and Nintendo household names – not by following a tried-and-tested formula, but by offering a distinctive take on everyday tech products. Its Phone (3), perhaps its first true high-end flagship, may tick all the boxes of what a premium smartphone should be, but at its core, it's a doorway to something more playful. It's an unusual experience, and sometimes it may or may not make sense, especially with the new Glyph Matrix interface. But that's exactly what Nothing wants to be: a company known for doing the unexpected and embracing the strange. In fact, if I am honest, it feels refreshing and welcoming. And it's okay if the Nothing Phone (3) isn't the most spec-heavy smartphone – it has Nothing's own quirkiness through and through. But this time, the ambitions are grand and so is the sticker price. The real question is: does the Phone (3), as baffling and fascinating as it might be, make sense to you? What: Nothing Phone (3)| Price: Rs 80,000 Pick any Nothing device, and there's a distinct dystopian aesthetic to it. I am glad the company is comfortable with its design choices and isn't afraid to express itself. The Phone (3) follows the same path though this time everything feels more polished. The see-through transparent glass back gives the device that signature Nothing feel. The back features a grid pattern, showcasing three printed circuit boards, along with visible screws, circles, and cutouts that give off the vibe of a tech product, not just another smartphone. The cameras, meanwhile, have a rather unusual layout. The three sensors are positioned within specific squares in a separated arrangement: two are lined up next to each other, while the third sits in a corner of the phone, not really aligned with anything else. It feels absolutely wild every time I see the Phone (3). There's something undeniably charming about the Phone (3), with its retro-chic aesthetic. The hipster-friendly, old-school design may be polarising to some, but I kind of enjoy the goofiness and the disturbingly weird vibe at the same time. And honestly, that's okay, as long as you are the right audience for it. The Phone (3) looks beautiful and feels great in the hand. I love holding it in a way I haven't since the iPhone X. It comes in black and white, and the white version, which I have for review, reminds me of the original iPod. The device features an aluminum and glass sandwich design and weighs 218 grams. The Phone (3) also supports the standard IP68 water and dust resistance. For me, the most eye-catching feature of the Phone (3) is a small dot-matrix screen on the top-right corner of the device that powers the Glyph Matrix interface; and it's a nifty experience. At times, it feels a bit gimmicky, but there's a certain thrill to it. And because it's a physical hardware feature (reminding me of the crank on the Playdate console), the interaction feels natural. With the Phone (3), Nothing has done away with the signature 'Glyph' LED strips on the back, the ones that used to light up in complex patterns for notifications, calls, timers, and charging, a staple of its earlier smartphones. In their place is the new Glyph Matrix interface. The idea remains the same: to notify users about things like messages and calls. But this time, since it's a real display, it's more functional. However, unlike many others who have tried (and failed) to integrate secondary displays, Nothing opted for a dot-matrix screen, the kind you often see on buses and at airports displaying important information. The matrix is made up of 489 LEDs and can display monochromatic images. Well, the Glyph Matrix showcases Glyph 'Toys,' as Nothing calls them. Right now, there are a handful of Glyph Toys. Some are simple widgets, like a battery level indicator or a stopwatch. But my favourites are still the games, like Spin the Bottle, Rock, Paper, Scissors, and the Magic 8 Ball. One Glyph Toy that felt silly but fun to me is the one that lets you take photos and turn them into Glyph patterns. It reminded me of how Nintendo made a camera for the Game Boy that let you take photos and convert them into monochrome images. I am hoping to see more Glyph Toys in the future, as Nothing is making it easy to make your own Glyph Toys via an SDK. I think the idea of a dot-matrix display is really fun, even if it may feel a bit silly at times. But that's exactly what makes the Phone (3) stand out from other smartphones. I also liked how you interact with the matrix through the Glyph button, which is built into the rear of the Phone (3). It's a single button that, when pressed, activates the Glyph Matrix, allowing you to cycle through different Toys, with a long press used to activate them. The interaction is simple and intuitive, though I do wish there was some form of tactile feedback. In the Settings menu, you can customise the Glyph Matrix to your liking. A standout feature of the dot-matrix display is how neatly it handles notifications. You can choose to be notified about specific alerts from select apps and even set custom display artwork to appear on the Glyph Matrix, making it easier to recognise what the notification is about at a glance. I also like this notification approach because I don't have to open the phone every time a notification comes in. It's a better way to avoid the madness and anxiety that constant notifications can cause, especially when you don't want to be glued to your phone. The Phone (3) has a 6.7-inch screen size; it's a large, fast OLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate and reaches up to 1600 nits at maximum brightness, peaking at 4,500 nits with compatible HDR content, which looks really good. The Phone (3) is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which is fast but not quite flagship-grade. Nothing is very clear that it's not chasing the spec game with the Phone (3), and I think that makes sense, the longevity of the chip matters most, especially since smartphones these days receive software updates for years. In my time testing the Phone (3), the device felt snappy, and apps opened quickly with no noticeable lag. My review unit is a premium unit with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage. The battery life is great: the Phone (3) ships with a 5,150 mAh battery that lasts about two days between charges, even with a mix of 5G and Wi-Fi usage. A compatible 65W wired charger is supported. There's also 15W wireless charging, if you care about it. The Phone (3) runs Nothing's version of Android 15, which offers a relatively clean, fast, and unique experience, thanks to subtle design touches based around dot-matrix art. The design language Nothing has used for the user interface is interesting, and the wide range of customisation options makes the interaction a lot more fun. I particularly enjoyed the monochrome, distraction-free themes. As for updates, Nothing's software policy still doesn't match the likes of Google Pixel devices or Samsung Galaxy smartphones, but it's getting close, with the company promising five Android OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates. A major software addition to the Phone (3) is Nothing's Essential Space app, which leans heavily on AI. The app essentially collects and analyses various screenshots, text, and voice notes. A dedicated button on the side of the phone captures what's on screen, while pressing and holding it records a quick voice note to go along with it. The app then analyses the content to generate summaries, transcriptions, and possible actions such as reminders or to-do lists. Right now, the app is fairly basic, to say the least. Some features, like AI summaries, are hit-or-miss, but others, like Essential Search, show great potential. The Phone (3) has three cameras on the back: a 50MP main camera with an f/1.68 aperture, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view, and a 50MP periscope lens offering up to 3x optical zoom, 6x digital zoom, and 60x AI Super Res Zoom. This will also serve as a macro camera, allowing for clearer close-up shots. The front-facing camera is also 50MP. Photos taken with the Phone (3)'s main camera look good, delivering fine detail and solid dynamic range. I think it performs well in most situations, though low-light performance isn't its strong suit. The ultrawide camera is reasonably good, while the 3x zoom camera is arguably the best of the three. I wouldn't say the Phone (3) beats the top smartphone cameras on the market, but it's remarkably good, especially the 3x zoom, which lets you get incredibly close to subjects while capturing plenty of detail. It's a great option if you enjoy taking macro-style shots. The Phone (3) has more power than I know what to do with. That's the premise Nothing is going for with its first and most expensive smartphone. It's right there, but not quite in the same league as the highest-end options from Apple, Samsung, or Google. In fact, it's the opposite, and that's refreshing. It's a smartphone that goes back to the basics, while still offering a sense of premiumness. The Phone (3) is a forward-looking device, and I admire it for its design and the unique dot-matrix display. At the same time, it's a fascinating puzzle… one that takes some time to figure out. On the surface, Nothing's new high-end smartphone feels deeply nostalgic, rooted in the idea of building a legacy in the way Apple and Nintendo have done. There's a far more interesting device hidden in here, an experience that, at its best, has a sense of humour, if you can understand and relate to it. Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. Email: ... Read More

Nothing to host drop pop-up store in Bengaluru this weekend
Nothing to host drop pop-up store in Bengaluru this weekend

Deccan Herald

time10-07-2025

  • Deccan Herald

Nothing to host drop pop-up store in Bengaluru this weekend

London-based consumer electronics company Nothing Inc. as part of global drop pop-up store initiative, is going to host an exclusive Phone (3) sale in Bengaluru this pop-up store will be set up at UB City, Bengaluru at 7:00 pm IST. The hundred first customers of Phone(3) will get Headphone (1) worth Rs 21,999 for prospective buyers will get chance to test the Phone (3) and headphones hands-on before making the informed decision to buy the new Search: Gemini-powered AI Mode is now available to all users in Phone (3) retains most of the design elements of the predecessor, such as the see-through back panel, it looks fresh and unique. Additionally, the device features a Glyph Matrix, which replaces the traditional LED-based Glyph is a micro-LED display. It offers smarter, more expressive way to notify the user >This way, user need not have to see the screen to view messages or any notifications and based on allowing them to view only what matters, when it matters, without needing to look up for more and scroll Phone (3) also supports Glyph Toys, a playful extension of Glyph Matrix, which brings quick tools and micro-games to the back of the phone. These include a Glyph Mirror, Digital Clock, Stopwatch, Battery Indicator, and Solar Clock, plus games like Spin the Bottle, all accessible and controlled through a dedicated button on the Phone (3) sports a 6.67-inch 1.5K (2800 x 1260p) AMOLED display with variable 30-120Hz refresh rate, offering up to 4500 nits peak brightness. It is protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 7i shield and IP68 water-and-dust rating. The device features an in-display fingerprint scanner, a Type-C port, and a single physical SIM slot (with an e-SIM option).Under the hood, it houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 octa-core with Adreno 825 GPU, Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.5, 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM with 256GB / 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, triple-camera module- 50MP main camera with 50 ultra-wide sensor and 50MP 3X Periscope sensor with LED flash on the back, 50MP front camera and a 5,500mAh battery with support for 65W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless Phone (3) comes in two colours—white and black. It is available in two configurations—12GB RAM + 256GB storage and 16GB RAM + 512GB storage—for Rs 79,999 and Rs 89, new Headphones (1) too come with a see-through design and features tactile controls built into the physical design. It has a Roller, Paddle, and Button, which promises a more precise and reliable way to adjust volume, navigate media, and switch ANC modes. .The Button is customisable and can be programmed to summon a digital assistant or the Essential Space feature on the Nothing has collaborated with the KEF to custom-design a 40mm dynamic driver to deliver rich, natural audio with deep bass, detailed mids, and crisp treble across all modes, including ANC, Transparency, and Spatial also boasts dual feedforward and feedback microphones and assists in real-time ANC control. With a full charge, it can deliver up to 35 hours of listening time, and a quick 5-minute charge can provide 2.4 hours of playback, all with ANC on. The Headphone (1) comes in two colours—black and white.

Nothing Phone (3) first impressions
Nothing Phone (3) first impressions

Time of India

time04-07-2025

  • Time of India

Nothing Phone (3) first impressions

Nothing has introduced its latest smartphone, the Phone (3). This flagship device aims to combine a 'thoughtful design' with focused functionality. Starting at Rs 79,999 (excluding offers), the Phone (3) brings updates across hardware, user experience, and software over its predecessor, the Nothing Phone (2). With features like the Glyph Matrix, a pro-level triple rear camera system, and AI-integrated tools, Nothing is positioning the Phone (3) as a device for those looking for more intentional interaction with their tech. Here's what we noticed during our first hands-on experience with the phone. Design and build The Phone (3) continues Nothing's signature transparent design language, now enhanced with a tri-column layout and refined geometry. The R-angle frame improves grip comfort, while the uniform bezels around the display give the device a balanced, symmetrical front. We'll talk more about this in our review. The aluminium frame and clear back panel look well put together and feel secure in hand. Available in Black and White, the phone has a distinct aesthetic that avoids being overly flashy. Despite its larger battery and display, the weight is well-distributed and manageable during daily use. Glyph Matrix and interaction tools One of the most notable changes is the redesigned Glyph Matrix on the back. It now supports app-specific alerts, real-time progress indicators, and contact-based notifications. It also introduces Glyph Toys, which include simple tools like a digital clock, a stopwatch and mini-games that can be accessed using a dedicated rear button. Display and visuals The Phone (3) features a 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED panel with 1.5K resolution, capable of reaching up to 4500 nits peak brightness under HDR content. The 30–120Hz adaptive refresh rate, combined with 2160Hz PWM dimming, offered a comfortable viewing experience even in dim light. Performance and software Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, the Phone (3) felt quick while navigating through apps, multitasking, and using the camera. It comes with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM, and storage options of 256GB and 512GB. The device runs Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15. In our short testing window, features like Essential Search, monochrome UI modes, and customisable widgets worked without any hiccups. The interface was clean and offered a focused experience. Nothing says the phone will receive 5 years of Android updates and 7 years of security patches, making it a long-term option for users who value consistent support. Camera Phone (3) is equipped with a 1/1.3-inch main sensor with lossless optical zoom, full OIS across lenses, and the ability to shoot 4K 60fps video on all cameras. The pro-designed presets, co-created with professional photographers, aim to simplify cinematic-style photo and video capture. In our early testing, the camera felt responsive with good detail in various lighting situations. The zoom worked without a noticeable drop in image quality, and head-tracking for video kept the frame steady. More comprehensive results will follow in our full review. Battery and charging The 5500mAh silicon-carbon battery is Nothing's biggest yet. According to the company. The 65W wired charging can refill the battery in just under an hour, while 15W wireless charging adds flexibility. After a quick 30-minute charge, the phone had enough power for several hours of moderate usage. These early impressions suggest decent efficiency for day-to-day tasks. What We Think The Nothing Phone (3) brings together design innovation, AI-driven software tools, and a feature-rich camera system in a familiar yet updated package. With the new Glyph Matrix, clean software approach, and upgraded hardware, it feels aimed at users who prefer a minimal but versatile smartphone. The Rs 79,999 starting price includes additional benefits like free Nothing Ear earbuds for early buyers and an extended warranty. It will be available from July 15 across Flipkart, Vijay Sales, Croma, and offline retail stores. We'll explore its camera tuning, long-term software performance, and real-world efficiency in the full review. So, stay tuned.

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