Impressions of Nothing Phone (3): A week's evaluation of its software, cameras, and battery performance

Impressions of Nothing Phone (3): A week's evaluation of its software, cameras, and battery performance

The Nothing Phone (3) has recently made its debut, and reviews are rolling in, highlighting several key aspects of this intriguing device.

**Design:** The Phone (3) sports a unique and bold design, featuring the new Glyph Matrix LED dot matrix panel on the back. While the design is a signature of the Nothing brand, with flat aluminium sides and symmetrical bezels, it has received mixed reactions. Some find the asymmetrical and chaotic camera layout unattractive or uncohesive, though the phone is considered comfortable and premium to hold.

**Hardware:** Positioned as Nothing's first "true flagship," the Phone (3) boasts flagship-grade performance in many areas such as a large 5,150 mAh battery and 65W charging. However, some reviewers feel that certain specs like the processor, screen, and fingerprint sensor fall just short of true flagship standards. Overall, the hardware is solid but not top-tier compared to the best Chinese rivals.

**Software:** Nothing OS 3.5 is widely praised as one of the best and most thoughtful software experiences available, with useful extras and a clean interface. However, the phone does not launch with Android 16, which some see as a minor negative.

**Battery Life:** The battery life is considered excellent, often lasting a full day with heavy use, outperforming notable competitors like the Pixel and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Users typically end the day with a significant battery reserve, marking it as a strong point of the device.

**Camera Performance:** The cameras, featuring a quartet of 50MP sensors, are much improved over the predecessor, delivering solid, true-to-life photos in both daylight and low light. While good, they do not quite match the top Chinese flagship sensors but are reliable and capable for most users.

**Glyph Matrix Feature:** The Glyph Matrix is a distinctive feature replacing the older Glyph lights with a small LED dot matrix display on the back. While visually appealing and adding some utility, such as a "Glyph Mirror" selfie preview, the feature's practical use is currently limited and easy to overlook. Reviewers acknowledge its potential but feel it needs more development and integration to be fully convincing.

**Other Notable Features:** The matte metal frame and glass back of the device feel premium and grippy, and the device weighs 217g, making it noticeably heavy. The Essential Space feature does not offer enough functionality to be worthwhile, and the utility of the Glyph Matrix has yet to be proven, with no "killer app" identified. The "Glphy Mirror" feature of the Glyph Matrix is the most useful aspect, allowing for easier framing of rear camera selfies.

In summary, the Nothing Phone (3) is praised for its unique design, excellent battery life, good cameras, and standout software. However, it stops short of being a complete flagship due to some hardware compromises and the nascent state of the Glyph Matrix feature. The design polarizes opinion, and while the phone offers a great experience overall, its $799 price may be questioned given its second-best hardware compared to competitors.

Pre-orders for the Nothing Phone (3) are currently open. The review may be delayed due to imminent Samsung launches, and the reviewer is unsure about the pricing of the device and has not yet formed a full verdict on it. Nothing's claim that the Phone (3) helps to "be more human" through Glyph Matrix is not substantiated, and the Essential Key on the device can be confusing to use, as it functions like both a power button and a volume rocker.

1. Despite its unique design and standout software, the Nothing Phone (3) fails to match the hardware specifications of leading smartphones, such as smartphones equipped with top-tier processors, screens, and fingerprint sensors.
2. The Nothing Phone (3) boasts an impressive arsenal of gadgets, including its quartet of 50MP cameras and the innovative Glyph Matrix display, positioning it as a formidable competitor in the market of advanced technology devices.

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