Nothing Phone 3 – Two Weeks Later: Some Good, Some Not. Here’s My Thoughts

Mobile Review

4 min read

After two weeks with the Nothing Phone 3 in New Delhi, India, priced at ~USD$799 (~INR₹67,000), I’ve used this upper mid-range smartphone for everything from navigating crowded streets to capturing vibrant photos and gaming on the go. Drawing from a hands-on experience, this blog focuses on my real-world experience, highlighting the hits and misses of this device compared to flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus (USD$1,099/INR₹92,000). From its bold design and snappy performance to the underwhelming Glyph Matrix and telephoto lens, here’s my take on what makes the Nothing Phone 3 shine and where it stumbles after 14 days of use in 2025.

Hits: What I Love About the Nothing Phone 3

Standout Design

Carrying the Nothing Phone 3 through Delhi’s bustling markets, its transparent back and asymmetrical triple-camera layout turned heads. Unlike the cookie-cutter designs of most smartphones, its cubist aesthetic feels fresh and premium. The flat aluminum frame and ~200g weight made it comfortable for one-handed use during long calls, while the IP68 rating and Gorilla Glass 7i (front) and Victus (back) survived a few drops in busy cafés. This design is a hit for standing out without feeling gimmicky.

Transparent, asymmetrical rear adds unique character.
IP68 and Gorilla Glass ensure durability.
Lightweight and ergonomic for daily use.

Snappy Performance

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 powers the Nothing Phone 3, delivering near-flagship performance. Over two weeks, I multitasked with WhatsApp, 15 Chrome tabs, and PUBG Mobile at max settings without lag. Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) and UFS 4.0 storage kept things fluid, even during long metro rides, streaming Spotify. Nothing’s commitment to five years of Android updates and seven years of security patches ensures longevity, a rare feat at this price.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with 12GB/16GB RAM, 256GB/512GB storage.
Nothing OS 3.5 offers smooth, bloat-free experience.
5 years of OS updates, 7 years of security patches.

Vibrant Display

The 6.67-inch AMOLED display (1.5K, 120Hz, 460 PPI) is a standout. Testing it under Delhi’s harsh summer sun, the 4,500-nit peak brightness kept the screen visible for photography and Google Maps. The 120Hz refresh rate made scrolling Instagram buttery smooth, and symmetrical, slim bezels gave a premium look. Whether binge-watching Netflix or editing photos, this display is a joy, rivaling pricier flagships.

6.67” AMOLED, 1.5K, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
4,500 nits peak brightness for outdoor clarity.
HDR10+ and Gorilla Glass 7i for vibrant visuals.

Reliable Battery Life

The 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery consistently lasted a full day of heavy use—social media, photography, and gaming—ending with 15–25% charge by bedtime. The 65W wired charging (no charger included) hit 50% in ~20 minutes with my GaN charger, and 15W wireless charging was a nice touch. It’s not the largest battery, but it meets modern standards without fail.

5,150mAh battery, 65W wired, 15W wireless charging.
Full-day battery life with heavy usage.
Fast charging requires a compatible 65W charger.

Misses: Where the Nothing Phone 3 Falls Short

Gimmicky Glyph Matrix

The Glyph Matrix, a small dot-matrix display in the top-right corner, was a major letdown. I missed the vibrant Glyph lights of the Nothing Phone 1 and 2, which lit up for notifications. The Matrix’s tiny size limits it to basic visuals like battery status or mini-games (e.g., Spin the Bottle), making it feel like a gimmick after two weeks. A larger Matrix or a return to full Glyph lights would’ve added practical value.

Small Glyph Matrix lacks notification utility.
Limited to basic visuals and mini-games.
Feels less impactful than previous Glyph designs.

Weak Telephoto Lens

The triple 50MP camera system (main, ultrawide, 3x periscope) sounded promising, but the telephoto lens disappointed. I snapped ~500 photos in Delhi, and while the main sensor delivered sharp, natural colors for street shots, the 3x telephoto struggled. Beyond 5x zoom, images became blurry, lacking the detail of flagships like the Galaxy S25 Plus. The ultrawide was decent, but the telephoto needs a software fix or hardware upgrade.

50MP 3x periscope lacks detail beyond 3x zoom.
Blurry results at 5x–7x digital zoom.
Main and ultrawide cameras perform better.

Redundant Essential Key

The Essential Key, a capacitive button for Essential Space (AI-driven screenshots, voice notes), felt useless after two weeks. I frequently pressed it accidentally instead of the power button during calls, causing frustration. Its fixed function can’t be reprogrammed, limiting its utility for my workflow. A customizable shortcut option would’ve made it a game-changer, but it’s a missed opportunity as is.

Essential Key triggers accidentally, lacks customization.
Limited to Essential Space AI features.
Adds little practical value to daily use.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Bold, transparent design with premium build.
Vibrant 6.67” AMOLED display with 4,500 nits.
Near-flagship performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.
Reliable 5,150mAh battery with fast charging.
Five years of Android updates, seven years of security patches.

Cons:

Glyph Matrix is small and gimmicky.
Telephoto lens underperforms at higher zooms.
Essential Key feels redundant and frustrating.
No charger included; USD$799/INR₹67,000 slightly steep.

Conclusion: A Bold Choice with Fixable Flaws

After two weeks with the Nothing Phone 3 in New Delhi, its standout design, vibrant display, and solid performance make it a compelling upper mid-range option at USD$799/INR₹67,000. The main camera and long-term software support are hits, but the Glyph Matrix, telephoto lens, and Essential Key are clear misses. Compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus (USD$1,099/INR₹92,000), it offers great value, though a USD$729/INR₹61,000 price would’ve been ideal. Reliability concerns, like early software bugs noted in the transcript, seem resolved with updates, but long-term durability is unproven. If you value style and performance over flagship power, the Nothing Phone 3 is worth a look. What’s your take—does the design outweigh the flaws? Comment below!