When it comes to Nothing’s smartphones, the design has always left me wanting more, especially considering the innovative devices they create.
The ‘Glyph Interface’ on the back of their phones, with its flashing and pulsing lights, was a unique feature that never quite won me over. After reviewing a Nothing phone, one of the first things I would do is turn off the Glyph lights as I found them more annoying than useful.
So, when I learned that Nothing would be removing the Glyphs on the Phone (3), their first flagship phone priced at £799/$799, I was intrigued.
A similar design, but also very different
The design of the Phone (3) is a mix of familiar and new elements that is sure to grab attention. The Glyphs have been replaced by the ‘Glyph Matrix’, a collection of 489 monochrome LEDs that offer more functionality than the previous lights.
From caller IDs to app notifications, the Glyph Matrix can display a variety of information. It even includes interactive features like party games and a Magic 8 Ball accessed through the ‘Glyph Button’ on the back.
While this feature isn’t groundbreaking, it adds a discreet touch to the phone’s design and doesn’t look out of place when turned off.
The top of the phone’s back may seem a bit cluttered, especially on the white model with three camera lenses, a flash, and the Glyph matrix. The black model, however, hides this design better.
True flagship durability
The Phone (3) impresses with its build quality, featuring a glass front and back with an aluminum frame. The phone feels premium and substantial in hand, though it is on the heavier side compared to other phones.
With Corning Gorilla Glass protection and IP68 water and dust resistance, the Phone (3) is built to withstand everyday wear and tear.
No-compromise display, slight-compromise performance
The Phone (3) boasts an excellent display with a vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED panel and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip ensures strong performance for most tasks.
While the display resolution falls slightly short of some flagships, the overall quality and visibility are top-notch.
Almost brilliant software support
The Phone (3) runs on Nothing OS 3.5, which is based on Android 15. The software experience is familiar, with added features like the ‘Glyph Matrix’ functionality and ‘Flip to Record’ for audio recording.
Nothing has promised an update to Nothing OS 4.0 based on Android 16 in the near future, along with long-term support for the Phone (3) with multiple OS updates.
The two great unknowns
Two critical factors, battery life, and camera performance, remain to be thoroughly tested on the Phone (3). The phone’s generous battery capacity and impressive camera setup hold promise, but real-world performance will be the ultimate test.
Despite these uncertainties, the Phone (3) presents a compelling option in the flagship smartphone market, attracting users looking for something different from traditional offerings.
Pre-orders for the Nothing Phone (3) will be available soon, with a limited-stock release and general sale following shortly after.
For more insights into the best phones available, check out our guide to the top smartphones on the market.
