Nothing Phone 3 Durability Test: Uncovering the Truth Before You Buy!

Mobile Review

5 min read

The Nothing Phone 3 has arrived, promising a unique blend of design, software, and performance. But in the world of premium smartphones, sleek looks are only half the story. True peace of mind comes from knowing your device can withstand the rigors of daily life. That’s where a Nothing Phone 3 Durability Test becomes crucial.

Nothing claims this is their first phone to officially boast an IP68 rating, suggesting robust water and dust resistance. Given its flagship pricing, one would naturally expect it to be incredibly durable. But does it truly stand up to extreme conditions? As an experienced tech reviewer, I’ve delved deep into its build quality, putting it through various stress tests to uncover any hidden weaknesses.

Join me as we reveal the truth about the Nothing Phone 3’s durability, from water immersion to scratch resistance and even a surprising display anomaly you need to know about before buying!

1. IP68 Water & Dust Resistance: Diving Deep

The IP68 rating is a significant upgrade for Nothing phones, promising protection against dust and prolonged water immersion. We put this claim to the ultimate test.

The Test: The Nothing Phone 3 was subjected to a deep water test in a fast-flowing river, simulating extreme conditions with significant water pressure and even sand.
Initial Observation: During the initial immersion, the phone performed perfectly fine. All functions remained operational, and there were no immediate signs of water ingress.
Post-Test (30+ Minutes): After over 30 minutes submerged in high-pressure water, the phone was retrieved.
24-Hour Follow-Up: Even after 24 hours post-submersion, the phone remained perfectly okay. The completely transparent back panel showed no signs of dust or moisture inside.
Verdict: The Nothing Phone 3 lives up to its IP68 claim. It handles extreme water and dust exposure remarkably well, making it a reliable companion for accidental spills or even deeper submersion. This is a significant win for real-world durability.

2. Frame Durability: Metallic Strength with a Slight Catch

The phone’s frame plays a vital role in its structural integrity. The Nothing Phone 3 features a metallic frame, following the philosophy seen in previous Nothing phones.

Material: It’s an aluminum frame. While it feels solid, its weight suggests it might be a standard 7000-series aluminum or slightly less, rather than aerospace-grade, which is often lighter.
Antenna Cutouts: The frame features numerous antenna cutouts (more than the usual 6-7), which are necessary for signal reception.
SIM Tray: The SIM tray has a slightly different color compared to the rest of the frame, which is a minor aesthetic detail.
- Durability Concern: The internal plastic part of the SIM tray appears to be of lower quality, being easily breakable. While it still functions, this indicates a potential weak point.
Buttons: The dual-cutout buttons (volume and power) are very tight and do not wobble, indicating good build quality in this aspect.
Side Button (Essence Key): The unique side button (referred to as an “Essence Key” for quick functions) is also metallic, possibly stainless steel, giving it a distinct finish. However, a concerning observation was that this button could get permanently stuck if pressed too hard, which is a significant design flaw that users should be aware of.

3. Glass Durability: Front, Back, and Camera Lens – Mohs Hardness Test

Glass quality is paramount for scratch resistance. The Nothing Phone 3 uses Glass 7i for its display, a material known for decent scratch resistance.

Front Display (Glass 7i):
- Pre-applied Screen Protector: The phone comes with a pre-applied screen protector, offering immediate out-of-the-box protection.
- Scratch Resistance: The display glass showed no scratches up to Mohs Level 5. Scratches became fine at Level 6 and slightly deeper at Level 7. This is a standard and expected performance for modern smartphone glass, indicating good resistance against everyday abrasions from keys and coins.
Back Panel (Glass):
- The transparent back panel is also made of glass.
- Scratch Resistance: It showed no scratches up to Mohs Level 5. Fine scratches appeared at Level 6, and slightly deeper ones at Level 7. This mirrors the front glass performance, confirming good overall scratch resistance for the device’s exterior.
Camera Lens Glass:
- The glass covering the camera lenses also performed similarly, showing scratches at Level 6 and deeper at Level 7. This is a positive, as camera lenses are often vulnerable.
Verdict: The glass quality used on the Nothing Phone 3 (front, back, and camera) is solid and performs as expected for a modern flagship, offering good protection against everyday scratches.

4. The Mysterious Display Anomaly: A Major Concern

This is perhaps the most critical and “super weird” problem discovered during testing, directly related to the display’s behavior under stress.

The Phenomenon: During stress testing (implied to be related to heat or prolonged heavy use), the display exhibited an unprecedented issue: pixels would turn slightly grey and the screen would become unresponsive, appearing to “flicker” or “freeze.”
Temporary Nature: The surprising part is that this issue was temporary. The display would eventually revert to normal, indicating it wasn’t permanent damage.
Implication: This suggests that if the phone gets extremely hot (e.g., during prolonged intense gaming, outdoor camera use in hot weather, or heavy processing), the display might become partially unresponsive or show visual glitches.
Unprecedented: The reviewer explicitly states they have “never seen this before” across hundreds of phones tested, highlighting its unusual nature.
Verdict: This is a significant concern. While temporary, a display becoming unresponsive or glitching due to heat is a major problem for user experience and reliability. Users engaging in heavy gaming or outdoor activities in hot climates should be extremely cautious. Its long-term implications are unknown and would require extensive user testing.

5. Bend Test: Unyielding Strength

The bend test assesses the phone’s structural integrity against physical bending forces.

Methodology: The phone was subjected to bending pressure from both the front (screen side) and the back.
Observation: Despite significant force, the Nothing Phone 3 proved to be super solid and incredibly strong. There was no flex, no creaking, and no signs of breaking.
Verdict: The Nothing Phone 3 is exceptionally rigid and resistant to bending. Its thick frame contributes significantly to this impressive structural integrity, making it virtually “impossible to break” in a bend test.

Overall Durability Assessment: A Mixed Bag of Excellence and Concern

The Nothing Phone 3 Durability Test reveals a fascinating, albeit mixed, picture.

Strengths:
- Excellent IP68 Water & Dust Resistance: It truly excels here, offering top-tier protection.
- Robust Bend Resistance: The phone is exceptionally solid and will not bend under normal or even extreme pressure.
- Good Glass Scratch Resistance: Front, back, and camera glass all perform well against everyday scratches.
Weaknesses/Concerns:
- Mysterious Display Anomaly: The temporary unresponsiveness/flickering under heat/stress is a unique and worrying issue that needs further long-term monitoring by users.
- Stuck Side Button: The potential for the “Essence Key” to get permanently stuck if pressed too hard is a design flaw.
- Fragile SIM Tray Plastic: A minor but noticeable build quality issue.

Final Verdict: The Nothing Phone 3 is undeniably a physically tough phone in many aspects, particularly in its water resistance and resistance to bending. However, the unprecedented display issue under heat stress is a significant red flag that potential buyers, especially those who push their phones hard or live in hot climates, absolutely need to be aware of. While the phone’s construction is largely solid, this display anomaly introduces an element of uncertainty regarding its long-term reliability in demanding conditions.

About the Author: Gupta Information Systems in Hindi Official YouTube account of ‘Gupta Information Systems’