Carl Pei has successfully transitioned his career from leading OnePlus, with its focus on affordable yet powerful devices, to spearheading Nothing, a hardware startup that is setting its sights on the high-end smartphone market.
Just recently, Nothing unveiled the Phone (3), priced at $799, positioning it against industry giants like Samsung and Apple.
Whereas OnePlus once captivated tech enthusiasts with its value-for-money insights, Nothing is carving its niche through striking design and unique software experiences.
The Phone (3) aims to continue this legacy of differentiation, featuring a transparent design that is both eye-catching and polarizing.
Critics have mixed feelings about the device’s aesthetics, particularly regarding the asymmetrical camera module arrangement on the back.
Some users appreciate the deviation from conventional phone aesthetics, while others find it unappealing.
Those who can overlook this unconventional design may find much to enjoy in the Phone (3).
One of the notable changes in the Phone (3) is the removal of the Glyph LED arrangement that was prominent in previous iterations.
This feature allowed for customizable light patterns to indicate notifications, a unique selling point for earlier models.
In its place, the Glyph Matrix, a circular second screen situated in the upper right corner, has been introduced, but its functionality raises questions.
While it can display the time and battery status, its effectiveness is limited, as users still need to turn their phones on to read incoming messages.
Although the circle-shaped display may be seen as a novel addition, its practicality seems questionable at this stage.
The Glyph Matrix’s potential could grow if developers create useful applications for it.
From a hardware perspective, the Phone (3) is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which, while slightly less powerful than its competitors in the high-end market, offers adequate performance for everyday tasks.
The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with 1.5K resolution delivers vibrant visuals, although it is not protected by the latest Gorilla Glass Victus, but rather by Gorilla Glass 7i.
This display supports HDR for YouTube content, although its compatibility with Netflix remains unresolved, limiting some viewing experiences.
The Phone (3) boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring three 50-megapixel lenses: a main camera with a larger sensor for better low-light performance, a periscope telephoto lens with advanced zoom capabilities, and an ultra-wide lens for broader perspectives.
While the phone claims to rival flagship models in camera quality, users may find that color accuracy and tonal balance do not yet meet the standards set by long-established brands like Apple and Samsung.
Users have reported issues such as crushed shadows and overblown highlights in challenging lighting conditions, highlighting areas for improvement.
The Phone (3) is equipped with a 5150 mAh battery, sufficient for a day’s use even with moderate to heavy demands.
Charging options include rapid 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, both essential features for today’s smartphone users.
Incorporating artificial intelligence into everyday usage, Nothing introduces the Essential Key, debuted with the Phone 3a and 3a Pro.
This customizable hardware key links to the Essential Space app, where users can save screenshots and notes, although the latter feature lacks access to simplified note-taking options.
The new Essential search function allows users to conduct internet queries and search files using AI, similar to features found in other smartphone ecosystems.
With options to ask questions like “Who won Wimbledon in 2024?” and receive actual web results thanks to Google’s Gemini models, it positions the Phone (3) as a modern information tool.
Additionally, the phone’s meeting transcriber feature captures and summarizes discussions, a practical tool but one that lacks external accessibility for the saved recordings.
CEO Carl Pei emphasized that nothing wants to leverage AI to genuinely enhance user experience rather than just integrating buzzwords.
According to him, the company’s objectives revolve around creating valuable and creative AI-driven features that elevate the user experience.
Despite these ambitions, many features in the Phone (3) seem in line with those available in the devices of other manufacturers, diluting its unique appeal.
To facilitate purchasing, Nothing has made the Phone (3) available through its website and Amazon in the United States, while also partnering with Best Buy in Canada.
At a competitive price point of $799, the phone enters a crowded market, vying for attention amid established models from Samsung, Google, and Apple.
In India, where the Phone (3) starts at ₹79,999, customer reactions have indicated concerns over pricing, potentially hampering initial sales despite promotional offers.
While Nothing nonetheless aims to present itself as a contender in the smartphone arena, its latest offering stands as a solid alternative rather than a definitive challenger to the likes of Apple and Samsung.
The company has its work cut out for establishing itself as a go-to brand among consumers seeking alternatives, and the Phone (3) may offer a stepping stone towards that goal.
image source from：techcrunch
