I wasn’t sure about the design when I first unboxed the Nothing Phone 3. The asymmetrical look is unusual, but it has grown on me. After a few days, I found myself appreciating the details, and I now rank it as one of my favourite designs of the year. Apple’s iPhone Air still wins in my book, but Nothing comes close.
Nothing Phone 3 review: first impressions
Credit: Nothing
The transparent back is still the signature Nothing move. This time, the company has ditched what was the iconic Glyph light strip in favour of the Glyph Matrix display, a small circular screen on the rear. At first glance, it feels like a gimmick, but I’ve actually used it a lot. It can show the time without turning the phone over, and it even works as a mirror for selfies with the rear camera. That feature has been surprisingly handy.
The design makes a statement. You may not love it right away, but it’s hard to ignore.
Nothing OS 3.5: the best Android skin?
Credit: Nothing
If the design is divisive, the software is the opposite. Nothing OS 3.5 is, in my opinion, the best Android experience you can get right now.
Software experience
It’s fast, simple and uncluttered. I had it set up in under an hour, and everything felt natural immediately. The monochrome app icons make the interface look consistent, and every Play Store app I’ve installed fits the theme without extra tweaking.
I’ve long enjoyed OnePlus’ Oxygen OS, but Nothing OS feels more modern and carefully designed. No bloat, no duplicates, no fuss. It’s exactly how I want Android to be. I’m also a bit of a sucker for the monochromatic look that Nothing’s OS offers!
Display and performance
Credit: Nothing
How good is the 6.6-inch 120Hz screen?
The Nothing Phone 3’s display is one of its best features. It’s a 6.6-inch OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s sharp, fluid and bright enough to use in direct sunlight. Most importantly, the bezels are perfectly symmetrical. That might sound like a small thing, but it makes the phone look balanced in a way many rivals don’t.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: does the older chip matter?
This is where the flagship claim starts to wobble. The phone runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, which was last year’s chip. It’s not the Snapdragon 8 Elite you’ll find in the latest Android flagships.
Day to day, the difference is small. Apps open quickly, games run well, and I never once felt slowed down. The benefit of this older chip is battery efficiency, which turns out to be one of this phone’s secret weapons. Still, for a phone that costs nearly £900, it’s a compromise you’ll notice if you care about specs.
Nothing Phone 3 camera review
Credit: Nothing
Triple camera setup
The camera system is stronger than any Nothing phone before it. You get three 50MP sensors: a main lens, a telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and an ultrawide. Photos are sharp and detailed in daylight, and low-light shots are much improved compared to the Phone 2.
Nothing community camera presets
One of my favourite extras is the ability to download camera presets from the Nothing community. By scanning a QR code, I can load someone else’s colour profile into my camera. I’ve created moody, professional-looking shots this way without needing third-party apps. It’s clever, and it gives the Nothing camera a sense of personality you don’t get elsewhere.
Battery life and charging
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How long does the 5150 mAh battery last?
The Nothing Phone 3 has the largest battery the company has ever put in one of its devices: 5150 mAh. In practice, I can use the phone all day with plenty of charge left in the evening. It easily outlasts my iPhone 15, and in some cases, it even beats the bigger OnePlus 13.
Battery life has been a standout in my testing, and it makes the phone much more reliable as a daily driver.
eSIM and travel features
Credit: Nothing
Finally, eSIM support on a Nothing Phone
For frequent travellers like me, the arrival of eSIM support is a big win. Until now, I couldn’t take a Nothing Phone abroad because I rely on eSIMs in the US, South America and Europe. With the Phone 3, I can land in Boston next month and instantly load up a US number. It sounds like a small feature, but it’s a game-changer if you’re often on the move.
The Nothing ecosystem
Credit: Nothing
Using the Phone 3 with Nothing Ears and Headphones 1
I’ve been testing the Phone 3 alongside Nothing Ears and Nothing Headphone 1. Together, they look sharp. People have actually stopped me to ask what devices I’m using, which has never happened before.
Nothing is slowly building an ecosystem. It’s not yet on Apple’s level, but if you value style and cohesion in your tech, the Nothing line-up delivers.
Nothing Phone 3 price and value for money
Is it too expensive?
Here’s the issue: price. The Phone 3 costs £799 for 256GB and 12GB RAM, and £899 for 512GB and 16GB RAM. That puts it squarely in flagship territory.
The problem is that the OnePlus 13, with newer specs, a bigger battery and arguably better cameras, costs £719 for its top model. On paper, that makes the Nothing Phone 3 harder to justify. You’re paying a premium for design and software. For some buyers, that will be worth it. For others, it won’t.
Final verdict: Is the Nothing Phone 3 a true flagship?
Credit: Nothing
The Nothing Phone 3 has plenty of strengths: unique design, outstanding software, excellent battery life and solid cameras. It also introduces eSIM, which finally makes it a proper option for travellers.
But in terms of raw power and value, it’s behind rivals like the OnePlus 13. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a year old, and the £799+ price tag feels steep for what you’re getting.
So, is it a flagship? In spirit, yes. In execution, not quite. This is a phone for people who care about design, software polish and a fresh take on Android. If you just want the best specs for the lowest price, look elsewhere.
Nothing Phone 3 FAQs
Is the Nothing Phone 3 worth it?
It depends on what you value most. If you want unique design, clean software, eSIM support and strong battery life, it’s worth it. But if you’re chasing the best specs for your money, rivals like the OnePlus 13 or Samsung Galaxy S24 offer better value.
How much does the Nothing Phone 3 cost?
The Nothing Phone 3 starts at £799 for the 256GB storage and 12GB RAM model. The higher-end version with 512GB and 16GB RAM costs £899.
Does the Nothing Phone 3 have eSIM?
Yes. The Nothing Phone 3 is the first Nothing handset to support eSIM. This makes it a much better option for frequent travellers who rely on local SIM profiles abroad.
What chipset does the Nothing Phone 3 use?
The Nothing Phone 3 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. It’s not the newest chip, but it balances strong performance with excellent battery life.
How good is the Nothing Phone 3 camera?
The triple-camera setup includes a 50MP main, 50MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and a 50MP ultrawide. It performs well in most conditions, and Nothing’s community presets add creative flexibility.
How long does the Nothing Phone 3 battery last?
With its 5150 mAh battery, the Nothing Phone 3 easily lasts a full day of heavy use with charge left over. In my testing, it outperformed my iPhone 15 Pro Max (which is getting on a bit these days) and matched or beat my OnePlus 13.
