Nothing made issues tough for itself by calling its newest cellphone 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, however it merely is not. As an alternative it is a strong midranger, providing respectable efficiency and a bunch of quirky options for a comparatively inexpensive value.
At $799 (£799), the Nothing Telephone 3 is the costliest cellphone the corporate has made, and it backs this up with a stronger processor, higher cameras and an extra yr of software program help in comparison with its earlier fashions. But it surely’s additionally an actual blended bag of issues I like and issues I actually do not.
7.3
Nothing Telephone 3
Like
- Superior macro pictures mode
- Good software program help interval
- Quirky design stands out from the gang
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, however it’s not with out its issues. The cameras are largely underwhelming aside from its surprisingly good macro mode, and the software program options are mainly the identical as you will discover on the corporate’s less expensive 3A Professional. At a value that matches each the Pixel 9 and iPhone 16, the Nothing Telephone 3 is finest seen as a midtier cellphone at a flagship value.
Nothing wanted to push for higher efficiency — particularly from the cameras — or drop the worth by at the very least 100 bucks. Because it stands, this cellphone is tough to suggest over the Pixel 9. A “flagship” it is not, and my recommendation to Nothing could be to stay to what they do finest: quirky telephones with inexpensive value tags.
Nothing Telephone 3: Quirky design and Glyph Matrix
The Glyph Matrix, as Nothing calls it, is the standout new characteristic for this cellphone. It is mainly a small, spherical, dot-matrix show within the prime proper of the cellphone’s again that exhibits issues like incoming notifications, the time, and even little mini video games. It is a cute concept, and whereas I do like with the ability to see who’s calling me when my cellphone is face down on my desk, I feel its use is proscribed general.
You possibly can play video games like spin the bottle on it, however as a married 37-year-old, my need for a morally ambiguous likelihood kiss with a drunk pal at a home get together 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 get together 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 get together 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 have been the hallmark of Nothing’s earlier telephones. The Nothing Telephone 1 and a pair of have been plagued by massive LEDs that flashed to let about notifications, and whereas their existence was arguably extra for aesthetics, it was enjoyable to see one thing a bit totally different in cellphone 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 remains to be positively Nothing, with a clear outer shell that gives the look you are trying into the bodily coronary heart of the cellphone. The white mannequin exhibits this off a lot better than the black possibility, in the event you’re undecided which coloration you favor. I fairly just like the blocky design, however a few issues irritate me.
First, the telephoto digicam unit is weirdly off middle, sitting a lot nearer to the cellphone’s edge than the unit beneath it. It appears like a mistake and I discover it off-putting. Then there’s the semi-circle strip underneath the flash — it completely appears prefer it’s alleged to mild up just like the “glyphs” of older Nothing telephones, however it does not. It is simply… there. I would put cash on there initially being a plan for this to mild up however it obtained axed as a cost-cutting measure alongside the best way.
The off-center left digicam and the type of semi-circle bit underneath the flash — two design selections I do not perceive, however I’m irritated by.
High quality, I is perhaps nit-picking right here. For transparency, I am somebody who will get irritated once I see barely off kerning in posters and adverts. I cringe once 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, certain, however in relation to costly tech, pedantry is essential. If there’d been extra pedantry at Nothing then we would not have off-centre cameras and I would in all probability give it one other star on this overview. Perhaps.
Nothing Telephone 3: Mediocre cameras, rad macro mode
The cellphone packs three rear cameras: an ordinary huge angle, an ultrawide and a telephoto zoom providing 3x optical zoom and 6x mixed optical and digital zoom. All three cameras provide 50 megapixels of decision and all of them are finest described as merely “positive.”
Taken with the usual lens, this picture has respectable colours and a strong general publicity.
This picture from the principle digicam is ok, although if I am nitpicking I do not like how a lot it is lifted the shadows on the buildings. It provides it fairly an unnatural look.
The shadows have been brightened rather a lot on this night picture, too, although I do not hate the consequence. The sky’s coloration steadiness leans into teal tones fairly strongly which is not particularly correct however it’s a positive snap general.
In good out of doors circumstances the publicity from the principle digicam is respectable, 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 primary 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 far more precisely.
It is the identical scenario right here, with the Nothing Telephone 3’s important digicam producing a really teal sky, which was not how this scene appeared.
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 steadiness, typically leaning into cyan tones which give low-light pictures an unnatural look.
The colour shift between the Nothing Telephone 3’s customary zoom (left) and the ultrawide (proper) is noticeable.
The ultrawide lens captures even exposures, however there’s typically a noticeable coloration shift between the usual and huge views. There’s additionally a variety of 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 avenue performer has a good publicity general, it isn’t with out its issues.
This greatest downside being that the cellphone’s picture processing has turned this individual’s hair a deep shade of inexperienced for some motive. It is not good.
Tonight-time ultrawide shot agains leans unnaturally onerous into the cyan tones when in comparison with the iPhone 16 Professional. But it surely’s a bit brighter general which is an efficient factor I suppose.
The iPhone 16 Professional’s shot is unquestionably darker, however it’s colours are extra practical.
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 gentle glow round topics, particularly in areas of excessive distinction.
At 6x zoom, the main points on this avenue performer look good.
It is also completed a strong 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 Telephone 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 like these naff pictures from the ’80s with Vaseline on the lens. I’ve seen this on a number of take a look at images and I am upset to see such important picture high quality points. What’s inflicting it? Tough to say definitively, however just like the wide-angle lens I would guess at low-quality plastic optics on the zoom lens.
Seen at full display this 6x zoom shot is mainly positive.
However trying nearer up on the particulars reveals that there is once more a softness to the Nothing Telephone 3’s picture (left) that lets it down in opposition to the iPhone 16 Professional’s shot (proper).
Whereas I am upset general with the Nothing Telephone 3’s digicam, it does have one saving grace: its macro mode. Most telephones provide some sort of shut up taking pictures for macro scenes, however nothing like this one.
The Nothing Telephone 3’s macro mode is great. The main points on this bee look superb and the general colours and publicity look nice too.
You possibly can 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 pictures of every scene after which merely choosing the best-looking one later, however that is the identical approach I work once I take macro images professionally — it is by no means a case of taking one picture and it being excellent immediately.
The iPhone 16 Professional’s macro try far much less spectacular, with far more muted tones and a bizarre “crunchiness” to the picture that I do not like something like as a lot.
It is the a method that the Nothing Telephone 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 might obtain with the Nothing cellphone.
However in most different respects the Nothing’s cameras aren’t nice and if pictures is essential to you then I would counsel trying elsewhere.
Nothing Telephone 3: Processor and battery efficiency
The cellphone runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 processor which put in affordable scores on our suite of benchmark assessments. Its scores put it far more in keeping with 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 cellphone feels nippy, with clean navigation across the interface, apps that load shortly and demanding gaming in Genshin Influence and PUBG being dealt with simply, even at max graphics settings. The cellphone may not be up there with as we speak’s flagships on paper, however it’s obtained greater than sufficient grunt to deal with nearly something you’d wish to throw at it.
The cellphone runs Android 15 at its coronary heart. Nothing guarantees six years of complete software program help.
The cellphone’s 5,150-mAh battery makes use of silicon carbon expertise that Nothing says ends in higher longevity. On our rundown assessments, battery life is distinctly common, with outcomes from each our video streaming drain take a look at and 45-minute endurance take a look at placing it beneath each the Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13, however extra in keeping with the less expensive Nothing Telephone 3A. Like all telephones, it’s best to anticipate to offer it a full recharge each evening.
Nothing Telephone 3: Software program and updates
The cellphone runs Android 15 at its core however Nothing has slapped its personal interface excessive, which supplies 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, although generally it is tough to work out precisely which app is which. You possibly can flip it off if it is to not your style although.
The cellphone has numerous AI instruments scattered round — together with Google’s Gemini, accessible by an extended press of the ability button — however it’s the Important House that stands out. Important House is finest considered a repository on your stream of consciousness all through the day. There is a devoted {hardware} button on the aspect of the cellphone; press it as soon as and it will take a screenshot to retailer in Important House. Lengthy press it and you’ll file a voice observe that may then be transcribed with AI with key factors being pulled out to remind you later.
The Important House has a devoted {hardware} button on the aspect to make it straightforward to log your ideas and screenshots.
Nothing is slowly constructing the instrument out so as to add deeper performance — the brand new model has an extended voice file perform that may transcribe conferences for you — and whereas I do not assume it is a motive to decide on a Nothing cellphone over another, it is an fascinating instrument that you could be discover helpful.
The issue is that each the long-lasting monochrome interface and Important House instrument are additionally discovered on Nothing’s less expensive Telephone 3A, so there’s nothing distinctive right here that will justify you spending twice the worth to purchase the highest mannequin.
Nothing has stated that the Telephone 3 will obtain 4 years of software program updates and a complete of seven years of safety help which means this cellphone ought to nonetheless be secure to make use of in 2032.
Nothing Telephone 3: Must you 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 Telephone 3 its first “true flagship” is a dangerous technique and one which I do not really feel has paid off right here. This cellphone may need higher-end elements than a few of its cheaper siblings, however it’s not a “true flagship”, particularly not when measured in opposition to rivals just like the iPhone 16, Pixel 9 or Galaxy S25. The Telephone 3 lacks the processor and digicam efficiency I would anticipate to see at this degree.
The stark monochrome aesthetic of the Nothing interface appears kinda cool, so long as you possibly can bear in mind which app icon is which.
Its battery life, too, is disappointing, and whereas the Glyph Matrix is actually a singular addition, it is arguably a gimmick that seemingly will not add a lot worth to your long-term expertise with the cellphone.
At its full $799 retail value, this cellphone is at the very least $100 too costly. In case you can decide it up with a good low cost then it is value contemplating. In case you merely just like the aesthetics of the cellphone and its monochrome interface however do not care about digicam efficiency, look towards the Nothing Telephone 3A — it is half the worth however simply as enjoyable.
