Nothing Phone (3) after a week of use: A distinctive flagship with its own definition of a premium experience

I’ve been using the white Nothing Phone (3) as my main device for a week now, and I’m full of conflicting feelings. Carl Pei presents it as the brand’s “first true flagship,” which automatically sets certain expectations. However, the Phone (3) is not a typical flagship as we know it from the competition. Instead, it goes its own way, reminiscent of Google’s approach to Pixels – relying less on paper specifications and more on a cohesive experience. The question remains whether this approach is justified for a less established brand, or if it’s just an excuse for compromises.

Design that changes the game

Nothing has always prided itself on its distinctive design. The white variant of the Phone (3), which I’m using, attracts attention wherever I place it. After a week, I can confirm that the asymmetrical camera placement, which initially caused controversy, surprisingly also has practical advantages. Thanks to the telephoto lens being placed closer to the edge of the phone, it’s much easier to take photos in tight spaces or through small gaps. It’s a small detail (and personally, I’d still trade it for symmetry), but it makes a surprisingly big difference.

The most significant change, however, is the replacement of the iconic Glyph lights with the new Glyph Matrix – a monochrome LED display in the top right corner of the phone’s back. For the first few days, I was skeptical about it. Why replace something so distinctive with something that resembles a retro toy? After a week of use, however, I’m starting to understand the potential of this change.

The Matrix display functions as both a secondary information panel and an entertainment element. In addition to displaying time, battery status, a simple camera viewfinder, and notifications, it also offers mini-apps like a level or games like rock-paper-scissors or Magic 8-Ball. You can even create your own patterns and animations. Furthermore, Nothing has released an SDK for developers, so I expect the community to come up with many creative uses.

As one user noted in a community forum: “The Glyph lights were flashy, but their usability was limited. The Matrix might look less impressive, but ultimately it can be much more useful.” After a week of use, I have to agree, even though I nostalgically remember the light strips of previous generations.

In terms of ergonomics, I must praise how well the phone feels in hand. At 191 grams, it’s not the lightest, but the aluminum sides with a matte finish provide a secure grip. The IP68 certification is a nice bonus that was missing in previous models.

Display for all conditions

I also appreciate the quality of the 6.67″ AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1200 × 2670 pixels. During a week of use, I was with the phone indoors and in direct sunlight, and thanks to the brightness of up to 4500 nits, I never had a problem with readability. The adaptive refresh rate of 1-120 Hz ensures a smooth experience when scrolling and also saves battery when not needed.

After a series of phones with curved displays, it’s nice to return to a flat panel. Zero accidental touches, better glass protection in case of a fall, and compatibility with screen protectors – these are practical advantages you’ll appreciate in everyday use. And speaking of screen protectors, Nothing includes one on the phone out of the box.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: Pixel syndrome?

Here comes the most controversial part of the entire phone. When Nothing announced that the Phone (3) would be powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and not the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite, the community was disappointed. But is it really that big of a problem?

After a week of intensive use, I can say that in normal operation, you won’t notice the difference. The phone handles multitasking, demanding apps, and games without stuttering. Yes, it lags behind the absolute top in benchmarks, but if you don’t know what chipset is inside, you won’t notice the difference. Most people don’t even use a fraction of the performance of these processors.

And this is where we get to the parallels with Google. Pixels have long used Tensor chips, which also lag behind the competition in benchmarks. Yet, Pixels are considered premium phones because Google prioritizes other aspects of the user experience. Nothing is taking a similar path, but it doesn’t have the brand recognition to afford it without criticism.

Price: 21 599 Kč

During the week, I used the phone for work (emails, notes, web browser), social media, photography, YouTube Music, and more demanding apps like Lightroom, and I never felt a lack of performance. Even when playing Genshin Impact, the phone maintained a stable frame rate without overheating – which is something that cannot be said about many “more powerful” phones.

If speed and performance are the priority, then you’re shopping based on benchmarks. If you’re looking for a comprehensive phone experience, you need to consider software, optimization, design, and other factors. And this is where Nothing truly excels.

Battery that doesn’t disappoint

After a week of use, I must highlight the battery life. The Si/C battery with a capacity of 5150 mAh is surprisingly efficient. With my intensive use (emails, social media, photos, several hours of Spotify, occasional navigation), I typically get 1.5 days of use, which in my case is about 8 hours of screen-on time. Even on extra demanding days (shooting videos, navigation, a lot of photography), I never dropped below 30% before the end of the day.

The charging capabilities are another reason why I’ve grown fond of the phone. 65W wired charging gets the phone from 0 to 60% in less than 20 minutes, and 15W wireless charging is also decent, although not record-breaking. You’ll appreciate the reverse wireless charging (5W) especially for accessories like headphones.

Nothing OS 3.5: Android as it should be

Software is an area where Nothing has long excelled, and version 3.5 is no exception. Built on Android 15, it offers a clean, minimalist experience enhanced by several useful features.

A new feature that the company promoted quite heavily is Essential Search – a universal search bar accessible by swiping up from the home screen. It searches contacts, messages, events, photos, and other files, plus offers quick answers to questions about weather, calendar, or local businesses. It reminds me of the Spotlight feature from iOS, but in many ways, it’s more useful.

Another feature worth mentioning is Essential Space – essentially Nothing’s AI assistant, accessible via the Essential Key on the side of the phone. Features like Smart Collections, Focused Search, and Flip to Record have potential, but their Czech support is currently abysmal. Although Nothing officially supports Czech, dictation is inaccurate, as is the recognition of our punctuation.

The promise of 5 years of system updates and 7 years of security patches is a welcome bonus that ensures the device’s longevity.

Price: Is the Nothing Phone (3) overpriced?

With a price of 21 599 Kč for the 12/256 GB version and 23 999 Kč for the 16/512 GB variant, the Nothing Phone (3) is not a cheap affair. For a similar price (or even less), you can get the Xiaomi 15, Galaxy S25, or Google Pixel 9.

If this phone cost around 17 500 Kč, it would make much more sense and feel like a great deal. After a week of use, I must say that the price, although high, is not entirely unjustified. Nothing offers a combination of design, software, and user experience that you won’t find elsewhere. Whether that’s more important to you than absolute performance at a lower price is a matter of personal preference.

Conclusion: Who is the Nothing Phone (3) for?

Nothing’s biggest mistake might be labeling the phone as their “first true flagship.” If they had called it a ‘flagship killer’ or ‘our most powerful phone,’ they wouldn’t face such criticism. The marketing created expectations that the product cannot fully meet.

But if we look at the phone objectively, without the “flagship” label, it’s an excellent device. The design is original and functional, battery life is above average, cameras are versatile and high-quality, and the software is clean and useful. Yes, the processor isn’t the absolute top, but in real-world use, you’ll rarely notice it.

The Nothing Phone (3) is not a phone for everyone – and that’s okay. It’s a device for those who want to stand out, have something original, but also functional. Similar to the Pixel, it’s not about the best specifications, but about the best overall experience. The difference is that Google has earned its position through years of brand building, while Nothing is still finding its place in the sun.

Price: 21 599 Kč

Pre-orders for the Nothing Phone (3) start on July 4th, and the phone will go on sale on July 15th, 2025.

What do you think about the new Nothing Phone (3)? Is performance or the overall user experience more important to you?