Nothing, the tech company led by founder and CEO Carl Pei, has taken a bold leap into the flagship smartphone market with the unveiling of its latest device, the Nothing Phone 3.
During a press event, Pei emphasized that the Glyph interface, although it introduces playful features like playing Spin the Bottle on the back, is anything but a gimmick.
He asserted that the Phone 3 represents Nothing’s aspirations to compete with established flagship devices.
“This is our first true flagship phone,” he stated, highlighting the device’s powerful chipset, advanced camera features, and premium price point.
The Phone 3 will launch in the U.S., marking its first major entry since the Phone 2 in 2023, which Pei noted aligns with their strategy for premium devices.
With a starting price of $799, the Phone 3 positions itself alongside competitors such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25, and Pixel 9.
Pei expressed confidence in Nothing’s ability to compete at this price level, stating, “We feel ready to compete with products in that price level.”
Preorders begin on July 4th, with general sales expected to start from July 15th on Nothing’s website and Amazon.com in the U.S.
The company claims full compatibility with T-Mobile and AT&T networks, although 5G support on Verizon will be more limited.
The Phone 3, priced as Nothing’s most expensive offering yet, boasts impressive specifications that should justify the cost.
It is powered by the Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chip, paired with up to 16GB of RAM, providing solid performance for a range of mobile applications, including demanding games.
Storage options begin at 256GB, with a 512GB variant available for an extra $100.
The device is equipped with a 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery, a technology that allows larger batteries to fit into sleeker designs.
The Phone 3 supports rapid charging at 65W via wired connection and 15W wireless charging.
Its 6.67-inch OLED display is reported to be more than twice as bright as the previous model, and for the first time, the device features an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
Camera quality is also a focal point, with all four of the device’s cameras (three rear and one front) featuring 50-megapixel sensors.
However, the effectiveness of these cameras remains to be seen, particularly given past criticisms of Nothing’s camera processing capabilities.
What sets the Phone 3 apart from its competitors is the innovative Glyph design.
Gone are the colorful light strips of previous models, replaced by a more streamlined circular dot matrix LED display located in the corner of the phone’s back.
Pei acknowledged that while this new Glyph Matrix is less visually striking than prior iterations, it offers functionality such as immediate notifications displayed through recognizable icons or emojis linked to specific apps and contacts.
In conjunction with the Glyph interface, Nothing is also launching new games and utility features called Glyph Toys.
These include playful options like Spin the Bottle and Rock Paper Scissors, alongside practical tools such as a stopwatch and battery indicator.
Users can cycle through these features using a hidden haptic button on the back of the phone.
Pei described these games as a refreshing addition to the phone market, where fun seems to be lacking.
He suggested that users could leverage the Spin the Bottle feature to make light decisions like how to split dinner bills—though this may raise eyebrows when scrutinized more closely.
Looking ahead, Pei hinted at future enhancements to the Glyph Matrix.
He expressed enthusiasm about the expandable nature of this design, indicating that community feedback has already inspired new Glyph Toys, such as a magic eight ball.
Pei believes that further creativity from the Nothing fan community could yield novel uses for the Glyph interface that the company has yet to envision.
The Phone 3 also reintroduces the Essential Key, a customizable side button first seen on earlier models.
By default, this button launches Essential Space, an AI-driven app designed to manage and analyze screenshots and provide reminders for various events and travel plans.
New features for this app include audio transcription and summarization for meetings, along with a universal search function to streamline access to contacts and photos.
Overall, the Phone 3 represents a significant strategic move for Nothing as it aims to carve a niche in the competitive flagship segment and make its mark in the U.S. market two years after its last substantial launch.
While the company adopts a more conservative design approach with the Glyph interface, the Phone 3 stands to challenge the established giants in the smartphone industry, paving the way for a new chapter in Nothing’s evolution.
As the company asserts, don’t dismiss the Phone 3 as just another gimmick.
image source from：theverge
