Nothing Phone 3
Announced July 1, 2025
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
The Nothing Phone 3 is a design-focused flagship that offers a smooth software experience and solid everyday performance, yet it struggles to justify its premium price tag when compared to more capable rivals. While its unique aesthetic and clean interface stand out, the device makes several compromises in hardware specs and camera consistency that may deter power users.
Weighted from 52 reviewer scores
Pros
- Distinctive and eye-catching physical design
- Clean, responsive, and bloat-free software experience
- Strong battery life with fast wired charging
- Vibrant and bright AMOLED display
- Capable camera system for everyday photography
Cons
- Inconsistent camera performance and shutter lag
- Questionable value due to mid-range chipset and hardware compromises
- Ergonomic issues with the Essential Space button placement
- Polarizing design choices including weight and lack of symmetry
- Limited utility of the Glyph Matrix features
- Launch price $699–$799 (USD)
- Main camera 50MP f/1.8 + 50MP Ultrawide + 50MP 3x Telephoto
- Video 4K 60p
- Display 6.67-inch OLED 120Hz
- Chipset Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 12GB, 16GB
What the Reviewers Say
All 52 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 7/10
The Nothing Phone 3 is a very good debut, but I can understand how some might view the cameras as a drag on the overall package, especially given the competition at similar prices.
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So this phone, just like previous Nothing Phones is the one that you would get if you really care, not so much about raw specs, but about good software and a unique design.
- The Verge 6/10
If that appeals, then the Nothing Phone 3 is a unique flagship. Just make sure you’re happy with putting form over function.
- WIRED 7/10
The Phone (3) may not feel like a dramatic change from the Phone (2) outside of looks, but it feels more refined, and every aspect has been upgraded, from the cameras and battery to the screen.
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The Phone 3 is a good but not great Android from Nothing. It is more interesting than rivals, but you have to actively want something different for it to make sense as you can easily get better-performing and longer-lasting handsets at about this price.
- Android Authority 8/10
The Nothing Phone 3 tries to be an Android flagship while skipping out on just a few key areas like the chipset and top-end materials.
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Nothing Phone (3) is, as the sum of its parts, a good phone, just like the Phone (3a) series proved earlier this year. And the company’s vision for AI, while a little ambitious, definitely has some potential.
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[T]o me, $800 makes sense for a phone that's bringing new ideas to a smartphone landscape that desperately needs them.
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It's not quite a flagship killer at £799/$799, but it's a charming slow-burner that makes you want to keep picking it up.
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The Nothing Phone (3) proves that the upstart brand can graduate from cult-favorite to bona-fide flagship, with design and performance to rub shoulders with rivals.
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The Nothing Phone (3) is the company's best yet, thanks to its beautiful screen, strong performance, capable cameras, and standout design.
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People wanting the best experience in a phone for their money need not apply, but anyone wanting something more interesting in their pocket should absolutely check out the Phone 3.
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The Nothing Phone 3 might be the company's first "true flagship," but several specs don't match that flagship moniker.
- Digital Trends 8/10
The Nothing Phone 3 is a great overall phone, and in a vacuum, it would be a great smartphone for most people. However, despite my enjoyment of the phone, it fails to deliver on Nothing’s other promise of offering excellent value for money.
- CNET 7.3/10
Calling the Phone 3 its first “true flagship” is a risky strategy and one that I don’t feel has paid off here.
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The cameras are much better than previous years as well. However, they don't measure up to Chinese rivals, the hardware is distinctly second-best, it isn't launching with Android 16, and the phone just isn't worth the $799 asking price.
- Android Police 7.5/10
The performance, battery life, and camera are all still more than enough for enjoyable everyday use, making it a great buy for the right person.
- PhoneArena 6.8/10
I'd say if you are curious about the brand, a Nothing Phone (3a) Pro may be a better point to tip your toes into, for less money. But if you are looking for a solid phone with good specs, and one that's not "just like the other ones" — yes, the Nothing Phone (3) is pretty good!
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I actually like the Nothing Phone 3 quite a bit. I know I just got done ranting about several things, but overall, the parts of this phone that you need to be good are good.
- 91mobiles.com 7.8/10
It’s a good phone, but one that would’ve made more sense in a more affordable price bracket.
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The Nothing Phone 3 is a good smartphone, and it’s probably the best piece of hardware the company has made in its short run.
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Nothing's first flagship is a solid effort, with some obvious unique touches – but whether it represents a better deal than the likes of Samsung or Apple is another matter.
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This phone is a true flagship, but it's not the best phone you can buy at this price.
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Phone 3 takes Nothing’s distinctive design to extremes, for better or worse. It’s not the textbook definition of a flagship handset, but the capable all-rounder has a fun side you just don’t see anywhere else.
- Creative Bloq 9/10
Playful, original, and packed with innovative features and touches, the Nothing Phone (3) is a design-first phone that stands out in a crowded market.
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I really like what Nothing's doing because it's kind of going in a different direction from what the Chinese brands do and also what the big three, Apple, Samsung, Google are doing because Apple, Samsung, Google, they're trying to be as like kind of uniform as possible.
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I think if you can get it on sale and you like the uniqueness of it and that kind of lightness of the operating system, then I totally recommend it.
- How-To Geek 7/10
The $799 starting price places it in flagship territory, but it lacks LTPO display tech and a top-tier chipset, which may put off spec-focused buyers.
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Ultimately, it’s the design that will make or break this phone. I’m personally not a big fan, and I imagine most people will feel a similar way, so I can’t recommend it over key rivals at this price.
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Is this worth $100 more than the Nothing Phone 2? Beyond any question, absolutely yes.
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Nothing's Phone 3 is a statement phone that broadcasts your own individuality. It's not for everyone, only a person who's tired of the status quo.
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80000, this puts the smartphone in a tough spot, and I will hesitate to suggest the device to buyers.
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If you are taken with the looks of the Nothing Phone 3 and its take on Android, then you're certainly not going to be let down in terms of performance, camera quality, and battery life, which are all great—though just slightly below what you'll find on those other $799 handsets.
- IGN 7/10
The Nothing Phone 3 is an interesting balancing act that just stepped over the line.
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I think a lot of the positives outweighs the negatives here. This is definitely one to consider if you're looking for a flagship device that's affordable, but also quirky and stands out in his own unique way on the market today.
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I define a flagship as the best phone from that specific company. And I do not doubt that the phone 3 is the best phone that nothing have ever made.
- Digit 69.2%
The Nothing Phone 3 is trying to build identity and dares to be visually bold, functionally playful and intentional.
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All right, so after all is said and done, I think it's pretty clear that the Nothing Phone 3 has been a pretty major letdown, not just to critics like me, but also to most hardcore Nothing fanboys who were truly excited for the company's first flagship phone.
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If you're looking for the best of nothing in everything they do, if you like their aesthetics, this is definitely their best shot.
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The Nothing Phone 3 is a smartphone that definitely stands out from the competition. Its unique design, highlighted by the additional Glyph Matrix display on the back, makes it hard to ignore.
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If you want something that turns heads and makes you want to show off your notifications, then the Nothing Phone 3 is for you. It's a statement piece, quirks and all.
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I haven't had any serious issues with this device in my 6 months of using it.
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Even with its downsides, there's a ton of character in here, and I wish more tech companies would take risks and do things differently and get creative with products rather than optimizing and refining away all the things that make them unique.
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It still provides that unique aesthetic appeal inside and out with some additional nifty features up its sleeve.
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The Nothing Phone (3) isn’t like other Android phones by design and, to an extent, functionality, and that’s all done with purpose.
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[T]hat's a steep price to recommend if you're not a,000% sold on the design cuz every other aspect of the phone you can find better somewhere else.
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[E]ven the power users are going to love this device.
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It definitely is a different look and which I think is actually a good thing because in a sea of seamlessness, this phone dares to be different.
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Regardless of whether you like the style, the Nothing Phone (3) offers some compelling reasons to consider it as your next smartphone.
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It’s no premium Galaxy marvel, but it should do for most users.
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I'm loving my experience with the Nothing Phone (3). It feels solid and robust in my hand and is fast enough to keep up with everything I've thrown at it over the last few months.
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That's my takeaway: It's flagship - not the most "flagship" of flagships, but up there amongst other flagships.
