Nothing Phone (3) Review – Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, 120Hz OLED, and the Iconic Glyph Interface

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Key Specifications at a Glance

3. Design and Build – Symmetrical, Durable, and IP68 Rated

4. Display – 6.67″ 120Hz OLED with 1260×2800 Resolution

5. Performance – Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, Up to 16GB RAM, UFS 4.0

6. Camera System – 50MP Triple with OIS, 50MP Selfie

7. Glyph Interface – 489 Micro-LEDs and AI Features

8. Battery and Charging – 5150mAh with 65W Wired, 15W Wireless

9. Software – Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) and AI Integration

10. Connectivity and Sensors

1. Introduction

The Nothing Phone (3) , released in July 2025, is the brand’s third-generation flagship smartphone. It represents a significant leap forward, combining a powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a stunning 6.67‑inch 120Hz OLED display, and a versatile 50MP triple camera system – all wrapped in a refined, symmetrical design. The iconic Glyph Interface now features 489 micro‑LEDs, and a dedicated “essential” button brings AI‑powered features to the forefront. With a 5150mAh silicon‑carbon battery, 65W wired charging, IP68 dust/water resistance, and Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15, the Nothing Phone (3) aims to deliver a 125% speed improvement over its predecessor, especially for AI applications.

For Android enthusiasts, the Nothing Phone (3) offers a clean, bloatware‑free experience with deep integration into the Android ecosystem. The Nothing Phone (3) is available in Black and White.

2. Key Specifications at a Glance

3. Design and Build – Symmetrical, Durable, and IP68 Rated

The Nothing Phone (3) adopts an improved, symmetrical design that refines the brand’s signature transparent aesthetic. The device features a glass front and back with a durable metal frame. The Glyph Interface has been redesigned with 489 micro‑LEDs arranged in a more seamless pattern, allowing for more dynamic and customisable lighting effects. The back panel is now more durable and resistant to scratches.

The phone carries an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust‑tight and can be submerged in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for 30 minutes. This makes it suitable for beach trips, poolside use, and accidental spills. The display is protected by unspecified durable glass (likely Panda Glass or Gorilla Glass). A dedicated “essential” button on the side of the device provides quick access to AI features, including voice notes, reminders, and integration with third‑party apps.

There is no 3.5mm headphone jack; audio is via USB‑C or Bluetooth. The under‑display optical fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate.

4. Display – 6.67″ 120Hz OLED with 1260×2800 Resolution

The Nothing Phone (3) features a 6.67‑inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1260×2800 pixels (~460 ppi). The OLED panel delivers deep blacks, infinite contrast, and vibrant colours. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gaming incredibly smooth. The display supports HDR10+ and has high brightness for excellent outdoor visibility (exact nits not specified but typical for flagships).

The screen has a punch‑hole cutout for the 50MP selfie camera and slim bezels, offering a high screen‑to‑body ratio. The display also features an in‑display optical fingerprint sensor.

For Android users, the 120Hz refresh rate works seamlessly with the Android ecosystem, enhancing everyday interactions.

5. Performance – Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, Up to 16GB RAM, UFS 4.0

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (3) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, built on a 4nm process. This is a flagship‑level SoC designed for high‑end performance, AI acceleration, and energy efficiency. The CPU configuration is reportedly similar to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with a prime Cortex‑X4 core, high‑performance Cortex‑A720 cores, and efficiency Cortex‑A520 cores. The Adreno GPU handles graphics, delivering desktop‑level gaming performance.

The phone comes with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB or 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage – the fastest storage standard, ensuring lightning‑fast app launches and file transfers. Nothing claims a 125% speed improvement over the previous model, particularly for AI applications.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 easily handles intensive multitasking, demanding games like Genshin Impact at max settings, and 4K video editing. The phone also supports 5G, Wi‑Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.

6. Camera System – 50MP Triple with OIS, 50MP Selfie

The Nothing Phone (3) features a triple rear camera setup, all with 50MP sensors:

• 50 MP wide (f/1.9, OIS, PDAF)

• 50 MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120˚ field of view)

• 50 MP telephoto/macro (likely 2x optical zoom and macro capabilities)

The 50MP main sensor with OIS captures detailed, sharp photos with excellent low‑light performance. The 50MP ultrawide lens is perfect for landscapes and group shots. The 50MP telephoto/macro lens provides 2x optical zoom and close‑up macro photography.

Video recording capabilities include 4K at various frame rates, with gyro‑EIS and OIS for stable footage. The camera also supports HDR, panorama, and AI scene enhancement.

The 50MP selfie camera (f/2.2, wide) takes sharp, detailed selfies and supports 4K video recording.

The Glyph Interface can be used as a fill light for the camera, improving low‑light photography.

7. Glyph Interface – 489 Micro-LEDs and AI Features

The Nothing Phone (3) ’s Glyph Interface has been upgraded with 489 micro‑LEDs, offering more addressable zones and customisation options. The lights can be used for incoming calls, notifications, charging status, volume indication, and even as a fill light for the camera. Third‑party app integrations allow developers to create custom lighting patterns.

A new “essential” button on the side of the device provides quick access to AI features. Pressing the button can activate voice notes, set reminders, and integrate with AI assistants. The button can also be customised to launch specific apps or functions. This is part of Nothing’s push towards a more intelligent, context‑aware interface.

8. Battery and Charging – 5150mAh with 65W Wired, 15W Wireless

The Nothing Phone (3) packs a 5150 mAh silicon‑carbon battery, providing excellent endurance. With moderate use, you can easily get a full day and a half, and heavy users will still last through a full day. The phone supports:

• 65W wired fast charging (0‑100% likely under 40 minutes)

• 15W wireless charging

• 7.5W reverse wireless charging (to power earbuds or other phones)

The efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and Nothing OS optimisations contribute to long battery life.

9. Software – Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) and AI Integration

The Nothing Phone (3) runs Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.5. Nothing OS is known for its clean, bloatware‑free interface, monochromatic icon packs, and unique dot‑matrix widgets. Nothing OS 3.5 introduces deeper AI integration, leveraging the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s NPU for features like real‑time transcription, smart reminders, and enhanced photography.

Nothing typically promises 3 major Android upgrades and 4 years of security patches. The software includes Google Mobile Services (GMS) and full access to the Play Store.

For Android users, Nothing OS provides a refreshing alternative to heavily skinned UIs while maintaining deep integration with the Android ecosystem.

10. Connectivity and Sensors

The Nothing Phone (3) supports 5G, Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7), Bluetooth 6, NFC, and GPS with multiple satellite systems. The USB Type‑C port supports USB 3.2 (likely) with OTG. Sensors include an under‑display optical fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack.