Nothing made issues tough for itself by calling its newest telephone its first “true flagship.” It means that it’s a contender to premium telephones such because the iPhone 16 Professional or the Galaxy S25 Extremely, but it surely merely is not. As a substitute it is a stable midranger, providing first rate efficiency and a bunch of quirky options for a comparatively reasonably priced worth.
At $799 (£799), the Nothing Cellphone 3 is the costliest telephone the corporate has made, and it backs this up with a stronger processor, higher cameras and an extra yr of software program assist in comparison with its earlier fashions. Nevertheless it’s additionally an actual blended bag of issues I like and issues I actually do not.
7.3
Nothing Cellphone 3
Like
Superior macro pictures mode
Good software program assist interval
Quirky design stands out from the group
Don’t love
Digital camera efficiency general disappoints
Processor lags behind flagship rivals
Rear Glyph Matrix is arguably a gimmick
Battery life is underwhelming
The square-blocks-under-transparent-glass design is arguably enjoyable, but it surely’s not with out its issues. The cameras are largely underwhelming aside from its surprisingly good macro mode, and the software program options are principally the identical as you may discover on the corporate’s less expensive 3A Professional. At a worth that matches each the Pixel 9 and iPhone 16, the Nothing Cellphone 3 is greatest seen as a midtier telephone at a flagship worth.
Nothing wanted to push for higher efficiency — particularly from the cameras — or drop the value by a minimum of 100 bucks. Because it stands, this telephone is tough to advocate over the Pixel 9. A “flagship” it is not, and my recommendation to Nothing can be to stay to what they do greatest: quirky telephones with reasonably priced worth tags.
Nothing Cellphone 3: Quirky design and Glyph Matrix
The Glyph Matrix, as Nothing calls it, is the standout new characteristic for this telephone. It is principally a small, spherical, dot-matrix show within the high proper of the telephone’s again that reveals issues like incoming notifications, the time, and even little mini video games. It is a cute thought, and whereas I do like with the ability to see who’s calling me when my telephone is face down on my desk, I believe its use is restricted general.
You may play video games like spin the bottle on it, however as a married 37-year-old, my want for a morally ambiguous likelihood kiss with a drunk buddy at a home occasion has fortunately been left behind in my teenage years. Even then, spin the bottle is arguably the spotlight of the Glyph Matrix proper now, and whereas Nothing says the SDK is open for third occasion builders to make use of, I am not satisfied it is a characteristic that has longevity.
Spin the bottle on the Glyph Matrix show. Gimmick or helpful occasion characteristic? I will depart it as much as you to resolve.
However I am notably peeved that it is come at the price of the Glyph lights that had been the hallmark of Nothing’s earlier telephones. The Nothing Cellphone 1 and 2 had been affected by giant LEDs that flashed to let you recognize about notifications, and whereas their existence was arguably extra for aesthetics, it was enjoyable to see one thing a bit totally different in telephone design. These lights are gone, mixed and shrunk into the Glyph Matrix. Certain, that is nonetheless quirky, however I want Nothing had stored the larger glyph lights too — I do not see any motive why each variations of Glyph cannot co-exist right here.
The broader design continues to be undoubtedly Nothing, with a clear outer shell that gives the look you are wanting into the bodily coronary heart of the telephone. The white mannequin reveals this off significantly better than the black choice, should you’re undecided which colour you like. I fairly just like the blocky design, however a few issues irritate me.
First, the telephoto digicam unit is weirdly off-center, sitting a lot nearer to the telephone’s edge than the unit beneath it. It appears to be like like a mistake and I discover it off-putting. Then there’s the semicircle strip beneath the flash — it appears to be like prefer it’s speculated to mild up just like the “glyphs” of older Nothing telephones, but it surely would not. It is simply… there. I would put cash on there initially being a plan for this to mild up but it surely bought axed as a cost-cutting measure alongside the way in which.
The off-center left digicam and the form of semicircle bit beneath the flash — two design selections I do not perceive, however I’m aggravated by.
Positive, I could be nit-picking right here. For transparency, I am somebody who will get aggravated after I see barely off kerning in posters and adverts. I cringe after I stroll round city and see the rampant misuse of apostrophes and I really feel bodily compelled to say “fewer” when somebody incorrectly makes use of “much less” in a sentence. I am a pedant, positive, however in terms of costly tech, pedantry is necessary. If there’d been extra pedantry at Nothing then we would not have off-centre cameras and I would most likely give it one other star on this assessment. Possibly.
Nothing Cellphone 3: Mediocre cameras, rad macro mode
The telephone packs three rear cameras: a normal extensive angle, an ultrawide and a telephoto zoom providing 3x optical zoom and 6x mixed optical and digital zoom. All three cameras supply 50 megapixels of decision and all of them are greatest described as merely “advantageous.”
Taken with the usual lens, this picture has first rate colours and a stable general publicity.
This picture from the primary digicam is ok, although if I am nitpicking I do not like how a lot it is lifted the shadows on the buildings. It offers it fairly an unnatural look.
The shadows have been brightened lots on this night picture, too, although I do not hate the outcome. The sky’s colour stability leans into teal tones fairly strongly which is not particularly correct but it surely’s a advantageous snap general.
In good out of doors situations the publicity from the primary digicam is first rate, with pretty correct colours and loads of element. Some HDR scenes can look a bit unnatural with weirdly-lightened shadows and toned down highlights. Nonetheless, I’ve seen worse.
The principle digicam has leaned onerous into the teal tones on this night scene.
It is particularly apparent when in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional which has captured the scene rather more precisely.
It is the identical state of affairs right here, with the Nothing Cellphone 3’s fundamental digicam producing a really teal sky, which was not how this scene regarded.
The iPhone 16 Professional has retained a way more authentic-looking magenta tone.
As the sunshine begins to fall it appears to battle extra with white stability, typically leaning into cyan tones which give low-light photos an unnatural look.
The colour shift between the Nothing Cellphone 3’s normal zoom (left) and the ultrawide (proper) is noticeable.
The ultrawide lens captures even exposures, however there’s typically a noticeable colour shift between the usual and extensive views. There’s additionally numerous chromatic aberration seen on areas of distinction, particularly in the direction of the sting of the body which suggests low high quality optics. I’ve additionally seen odd picture processing points, together with bizarre element smoothing and in a single occasion, an individual’s hair tinged brilliant inexperienced.
Whereas this ultrawide view of individuals watching a road performer has a good publicity general, it isn’t with out its issues.
This greatest drawback being that the telephone’s picture processing has turned this particular person’s hair a deep shade of inexperienced for some motive. It isn’t good.
Tonight-time ultrawide shot agains leans unnaturally onerous into the cyan tones when in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional. Nevertheless it’s slightly brighter general which is an effective factor I suppose.
The iPhone 16 Professional’s shot is certainly darker, but it surely’s colours are extra lifelike.
The zoom lens is hit and miss. At 6x zoom on an overcast day, it does a good job of capturing an excellent publicity with crisp particulars. Different instances it struggles, typically making a bizarre tender glow round topics, particularly in areas of excessive distinction.
At 6x zoom, the small print on this road performer look good.
It is also executed a stable job of capturing this 6x zoom scene.
However this is the place issues go bizarre with the zoom lens.
When cropped in shut it is clear to see that the Nothing Cellphone 3’s zoom (left) suffers from a bizarre halation across the swan that is not current on the iPhone 16 Professional’s shot (proper).
Taken at 6x zoom, this shot of swans and signets has blown-out highlights and a weird haze across the swans that makes it appear to be these naff pictures from the ’80s with Vaseline on the lens. I’ve seen this on a number of check images and I am disillusioned to see such important picture high quality points. What’s inflicting it? Troublesome to say definitively, however just like the wide-angle lens I would guess at low-quality plastic optics on the zoom lens.
Considered at full display screen this 6x zoom shot is principally advantageous.
However wanting nearer up on the particulars reveals that there is once more a softness to the Nothing Cellphone 3’s picture (left) that lets it down towards the iPhone 16 Professional’s shot (proper).
Whereas I am disillusioned general with the Nothing Cellphone 3’s digicam, it does have one saving grace: its macro mode. Most telephones supply some form of shut up capturing for macro scenes, however nothing like this one.
The Nothing Cellphone 3’s macro mode is excellent. The main points on this bee look wonderful and the general colours and publicity look nice too.
You may see all of the tiny bits of pollen caught this bee. It is a pretty macro shot.
I have been in a position to get some actually nice shut up pictures of bees on flowers that aren’t simply well-exposed, but in addition pin-sharp and with great-looking colours. Like most macro modes it may be extremely inclined to motion, so I hammered the shutter button taking quite a few photos of every scene after which merely deciding on the best-looking one later, however that is the identical method I work after I take macro images professionally — it is by no means a case of taking one picture and it being good right away.
The iPhone 16 Professional’s macro try far much less spectacular, with rather more muted tones and a bizarre “crunchiness” to the picture that I do not like something like as a lot.
It is the a technique that the Nothing Cellphone 3’s digicam outperforms its rivals. I attempted taking comparable macro images with the iPhone 16 Professional and it could not even come near what I may obtain with the Nothing telephone.
However in most different respects the Nothing’s cameras aren’t nice and if pictures is necessary to you then I would recommend wanting elsewhere.
Nothing Cellphone 3: Processor and battery efficiency
The telephone runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 processor which put in affordable scores on our suite of benchmark exams. Its scores put it rather more according to final yr’s flagships just like the Galaxy S24 and Xiaomi 14, however a good step behind current-gen fashions such because the Galaxy S25, iPhone 16 or OnePlus 13.
In on a regular basis use, the telephone feels nippy, with clean navigation across the interface, apps that load rapidly and demanding gaming in Genshin Influence and PUBG being dealt with simply, even at max graphics settings. The telephone won’t be up there with at present’s flagships on paper, but it surely’s bought greater than sufficient grunt to deal with nearly something you’d wish to throw at it.
The telephone runs Android 15 at its coronary heart. Nothing guarantees six years of complete software program assist.
The telephone’s 5,150-mAh battery makes use of silicon carbon expertise that Nothing says ends in higher longevity. On our rundown exams, battery life is distinctly common, with outcomes from each our video streaming drain check and 45-minute endurance check placing it beneath each the Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13, however extra according to the less expensive Nothing Cellphone 3A. Like all telephones, it is best to count on to present it a full recharge each night time.
Nothing Cellphone 3: Software program and updates
The telephone runs Android 15 at its core however Nothing has slapped its personal interface excessive, which provides it a robust look. It leans on monochrome aesthetics, with most app icons being turned black and white and textual content being faraway from many areas of the homescreen in a bid for a extra minimalist look. I fairly prefer it, though typically it is tough to work out precisely which app is which. You may flip it off if it is to not your style although.
The telephone has varied AI instruments scattered round — together with Google’s Gemini, accessible by an extended press of the ability button — but it surely’s the Important Area that stands out. Important Area is greatest regarded as a repository in your stream of consciousness all through the day. There is a devoted {hardware} button on the aspect of the telephone; press it as soon as and it will take a screenshot to retailer in Important Area. Lengthy press it and you may report a voice observe that may then be transcribed with AI with key factors being pulled out to remind you later.
The Important Area has a devoted {hardware} button on the aspect to make it straightforward to log your ideas and screenshots.
Nothing is slowly constructing the device out so as to add deeper performance — the brand new model has an extended voice report operate that may transcribe conferences for you — and whereas I do not assume it is a motive to decide on a Nothing telephone over some other, it is an fascinating device that you could be discover helpful.
The issue is that each the enduring monochrome interface and Important Area device are additionally discovered on Nothing’s less expensive Cellphone 3A, so there’s nothing distinctive right here that will justify you spending twice the value to purchase the highest mannequin.
Nothing has mentioned that the Cellphone 3 will obtain 4 years of software program updates and a complete of seven years of safety assist that means this telephone ought to nonetheless be protected to make use of in 2032.
Nothing Cellphone 3: Do you have to purchase it?
Nothing has tried onerous to distinguish itself from the market over time by providing quirky telephones at costs that considerably undercut its rivals. Calling the Cellphone 3 its first “true flagship” is a dangerous technique and one which I do not really feel has paid off right here. This telephone may need higher-end elements than a few of its cheaper siblings, but it surely’s not a “true flagship”, particularly not when measured towards rivals just like the iPhone 16, Pixel 9 or Galaxy S25. The Cellphone 3 lacks the processor and digicam efficiency I would count on to see at this stage.
The Nothing interface’s stark monochrome aesthetic appears to be like cool, so long as you’ll be able to keep in mind which app icon is which.
Its battery life, too, is disappointing, and whereas the Glyph Matrix is actually a novel addition, it is arguably a gimmick that doubtless will not add a lot worth to your long-term expertise with the telephone.
At its full $799 retail worth, this telephone is a minimum of $100 too costly. If you happen to can decide it up with a good low cost then it is value contemplating. If you happen to merely just like the aesthetics of the telephone and its monochrome interface however do not care about digicam efficiency, look towards the Nothing Cellphone 3A — it is half the value however simply as enjoyable.