The Phone 3 is finally here—though not yet in India. It launched first globally, leaving Indian fans eagerly waiting. Over the years, Nothing has expanded with multiple phones, including the CMF series ans a series, but the Nothing Phone lineup remains its most iconic. It all started with this series, and now with the Phone 3, expectations are sky-high. So let’s dive into what Phone 3 has to offer and whether it’s a real upgrade from Phone 2.
Design: Familiar Yet Fresh
The Phone 3 follows the signature Nothing design—metal frame, glass back, and the iconic Glyph interface. This time, there are subtle changes in the Glyph lights but a major redesign in the camera module. It now features three camera lenses and a single flash, which sets it apart from its predecessor.
However, the back is less transparent compared to Phone 1 and Phone 2, and there’s no IP68 or IP69 rating, which is a bit disappointing from a design and durability perspective.
Display: Bigger, Better, Natural
The Phone 3 features a stunning 6.8-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display with a side punch-hole design. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate, making the UI feel smooth and fluid. Compared to Phone 2, the display is noticeably larger and more color-accurate, focusing more on natural tones instead of oversaturation.
HDR support works seamlessly on YouTube and Netflix, and most apps fully utilize the 120Hz refresh rate, giving it a premium flagship feel.
Performance: Flagship Power with Smart Use
Every year, the Nothing flagship packs powerful internals, and the Phone 3 is no exception. It comes with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (Elite variant), paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage—an ideal combo for speed and efficiency.
While this isn’t branded as a gaming phone, it handles high-end games smoothly. What’s impressive is that even without a cooling system, Phone 3 doesn’t heat up. That’s likely because Nothing uses the power more for camera processing than just raw gaming performance.
Nothing OS: Getting Better Every Year
The Phone 3 ships with Nothing OS based on Android 15, and the experience is closer than ever to stock Android, with useful tweaks. With 3 years of major Android updates and 6 years of security patches, Phone 3 ensures long-term value.
Nothing has refined its OS every year, and now it feels stable, polished, and responsive—definitely the second-best custom Android skin after Google’s Pixel experience.
Camera: A Flagship Killer Under ₹50,000
The camera department is where the Phone 3 shines the most. It features a triple-camera setup on the rear, with the primary sensor being 50MP, accompanied by a 50MP ultra-wide and a 50MP periscope lens—a first for Nothing.
Portrait mode gets a boost with 3x digital zoom, and the results are impressive. The colors are slightly boosted but maintain a natural tone and dynamic range. For the price, this is one of the best smartphone cameras under ₹50,000, rivaling even some premium brands.
The front also features a 50MP sensor, ideal for content creators and selfie lovers.
Battery: Big Boost, But No Charger
Battery life gets a serious upgrade in the Phone 3, with a massive 6000mAh battery. Compared to the usual 5000mAh in earlier models, this ensures longer usage even with the power-hungry display and processor.
It supports fast charging, but as expected, no charger is included in the box. So, you’ll have to buy one separately.
Essential Button: Inspired by 3a Pro, Now in Phone 3
The Essential Button, first introduced in the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, now makes its way to the Phone 3 as well. This additional button brings a smart productivity feature—a single press captures a screenshot, which can then be annotated with notes or audio. Instead of being saved to the gallery, these enhanced screenshots are stored in the dedicated Essential App, making it easier to organize and revisit important content. This thoughtful feature, inspired by the 3a Pro, adds another layer of convenience to the Phone 3 experience.
Final Thoughts: Is Phone 3 Worth the Hype?
Yes, this latest release brings solid upgrades in nearly every department—camera, battery, display, and performance. The design might not feel as premium due to the lack of full transparency and water resistance, but it still carries the brand’s unique identity.
Under ₹50,000, it offers a premium camera, top-tier chipset, bigger battery, and a refined software experience. If you’re already in the ecosystem or simply looking for a flagship-level experience without spending ₹70K+, this device is a no-brainer.
