The Nothing Phone (3), launched on July 1, 2025, for £799–£899 in the UK, aims to shake up the flagship market with its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, triple 50MP cameras, and quirky Glyph Matrix. From my experience, it’s a stylish device with a vibrant 6.67-inch LTPO OLED and clean Nothing OS 3.5. However, it’s not perfect for everyone. Some UK buyers might find its drawbacks outweigh its charm, especially when compared to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 9. Drawing from hands-on insights and expert feedback, here are the top 5 reasons to avoid the Nothing Phone (3) in 2025. If you’re considering this phone, read on to see if it’s the right fit!
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the Nothing Phone (3)
1. Mid-Tier Chipset Falls Short of True Flagship Performance
From my experience, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is snappy for daily tasks but lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite in flagships like the Galaxy S25. It handles apps and light gaming well, but intensive games like Genshin Impact at max settings show frame drops, with graphics performance 30–40% weaker than top-tier chips. For UK power users who demand cutting-edge performance for gaming or multitasking, this chipset feels like a compromise at £799, especially when rivals offer more grunt for a similar price.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, not flagship-grade.
- Performance: Lags in intensive gaming, multitasking.
- Comparison: Weaker than S25’s Snapdragon 8 Elite.
- Issue: Mid-tier power at flagship price.
2. Polarizing Design with Practical Drawbacks
From my experience, the Nothing Phone (3)’s asymmetrical camera layout and three-column grid look bold but spark mixed feelings. The protruding periscope lens near the edge risks scratches and causes wobble on flat surfaces, a concern echoed on X. While the transparent back is iconic, it feels less premium than the metal-glass builds of the iPhone 16. UK buyers prioritizing sleek, durable designs may find this aesthetic too quirky or impractical for daily use.
- Design: Asymmetrical cameras, protruding lens.
- Issue: Wobble risks lens damage.
- Feedback: Divisive per X posts, less premium feel.
- Comparison: Less polished than iPhone 16.
3. High Price for a Non-Premium Experience
From my experience, the £799 (12GB/256GB) to £899 (16GB/512GB) price tag feels steep for a phone that doesn’t fully compete with flagships. In India, it’s ₹79,999, pricier than in the US ($799), raising value concerns. The mid-tier chipset, LTPS display (not true LTPO), and USB-C 2.0 port don’t justify the cost when the Galaxy S25 Plus (£999) offers better specs. UK buyers seeking value might prefer the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro at £449 for similar flair at a lower cost.
- Pricing: £799–£899, high for specs.
- Issue: Mid-tier features at flagship price.
- Comparison: Outpriced by 3a Pro, S25 Plus.
- Sentiment: X posts call it overpriced.
4. Glyph Matrix Feels More Gimmicky Than Useful
From my experience, the Glyph Matrix, a 489-LED dot-matrix display, adds retro flair with widgets like a clock or “Glyph Toys” (e.g., spin the bottle). However, its practical use is limited—notifications and selfie previews are neat but niche. Reviewers note it’s less functional than the older Glyph lights, and UK users may find it a novelty that doesn’t justify the flagship price, especially when core features like the chipset underperform.
- Feature: Glyph Matrix for notifications, toys.
- Issue: Limited practical utility, gimmicky.
- Feedback: Less useful than prior Glyph lights.
- Comparison: Doesn’t enhance core experience.
5. Camera System Lags Behind Competitors
From my experience, the triple 50MP camera setup (main, ultra-wide, telephoto) is versatile but overprocessed, with the ultra-wide Samsung JN1 sensor lacking detail. The 3x telephoto is decent but can’t match the Galaxy S25’s 5x zoom or Pixel 9’s image processing. Low-light shots improve with TrueLens Engine 4, but they’re not flagship-grade. UK photographers needing top-tier cameras might find the Nothing Phone (3) falls short for its price.
- Setup: 50MP main, ultra-wide, telephoto.
- Issue: Overprocessed, ultra-wide lacks detail.
- Comparison: Behind S25, Pixel 9 in quality.
- Strength: Versatile but not best-in-class.
From my experience, the Nothing Phone (3) brings unique style and solid features like its battery and Nothing OS 3.5, but its £799–£899 price tag feels hard to justify. The mid-tier chipset, polarizing design, gimmicky Glyph Matrix, and underwhelming cameras make it a tough sell against the Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9. UK buyers seeking value or top performance might want to consider the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro or wait for discounts. Pre-orders start July 4, 2025, via Nothing’s UK site, but think carefully before diving in!
From my experience, its £799–£899 price feels high for a mid-tier chipset and LTPS display, especially compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus (£999).
About the Author
Mrwhosetheboss I’m Arun Maini, I’m a 28 year old Economics graduate whose life’s passion is Technology, and I’m on a mission to make the most FUN and USEFUL Tech videos on the Planet!
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What’s your take on the Nothing Phone (3)? Share in the comments!
Sources
- YouTube: Nothing Phone (3) – What have you done!? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5itPbQtz_Y)
- Gadgets 360
- TechAdvisor
- The Guardian
- CNET
- 9to5Google
- Posts on X: @Gadgetsdata, @Soya_Cincau, @Sankew06, @gadget_bits
