Get ready, tech fans, because the Nothing Phone 3 has landed, and it’s here to steal the show! Launched on July 1, 2025, by Carl Pei’s London-based squad, this smartphone is throwing punches at heavyweights like the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Google Pixel 9. Priced at ₹79,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model and ₹89,999 for the 16GB + 512GB variant in India (that’s $799/£799 and $899/£899 globally), it’s Nothing’s boldest stab at being a “true flagship.”
With a mind-bending Glyph Matrix, a sci-fi-inspired design, and specs that scream ambition, this phone has the internet in a tizzy; some are smitten, while others are shaken. Let’s dive into the madness and see why the Nothing Phone 3 is sparking such a wild reaction!
A Design That’s Out of This World
The Nothing Phone 3 doesn’t just turn heads, it does a full-on backflip. Ditching the LED Glyph strips of its predecessors, it flaunts a circular Glyph Matrix with 489 tiny LEDs packed into the top-right corner of its transparent back. This mini display isn’t just for show; it flashes battery levels, notifications, and even lets you mess around with “Glyph Toys” like a Magic 8 Ball or Spin the Bottle.
A new Glyph Button lets you switch modes with a tap, adding a fun, tactile vibe. The cubist transparent design, complete with a blinking red square for video recording, feels like a retro-futuristic fever dream. With Gorilla Glass 7i on the front, Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, and IP68 water resistance, it’s as sturdy as it is stunning. However, not everyone is vibing with this bold look. Social media lit up with fans calling it “a design masterpiece” and cheering its break from boring smartphone slabs.
Others? Not so sold. Reddit’s buzzing with shade, with some users slamming the asymmetric triple camera layout as “a total eyesore.” One commenter captured the divide: “It’s like Nothing said, ‘Let’s make a phone that’s half art, half chaos.’ I can’t decide if I love it or hate it!” Whether you’re obsessed or appalled, this phone’s got everyone talking.
Specs That Pop (But Don’t Quite Steal the Crown)
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 3 rocks Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a beast that’s up to 2x faster than the Phone 2 and 5x faster than the midrange Phone 3a, but a step below the Snapdragon 8 Elite in rivals like the OnePlus 13. It’s 6.67-inch AMOLED display shines with 1.5K resolution, a 30-120Hz refresh rate, and a blazing 4,500 nits of brightness (though it’s stuck with LTPS, not the battery-saving LTPO tech).
The 5,150mAh battery supports 65W wired charging (with whispers of 100W in some markets) and 15W wireless charging, keeping you powered up. The camera setup is Nothing’s boldest yet: a quad 50MP system with a main sensor (OIS included), a 3x periscope telephoto lens, an ultrawide, and a 50MP selfie cam. It’s flagship-level on paper, but some skeptics are wary of Nothing’s image processing, which hasn’t always matched Google or Samsung’s magic.
Running Nothing OS 3.5 on Android 15, it offers five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches, strong but just shy of the seven-and-seven combo from Samsung and Google. Online reactions are a mixed bag. Fans are hyped for the 16GB RAM option and snappy performance, with one Redditor raving, “This thing’s a gaming monster with a display that slaps!” But others aren’t sold, pointing out the sub-flagship chipset. “For ₹79,999, I want a top-tier chip and a bigger battery,” one user grumbled. Another fired back, “It’s not about raw power; it’s about the *vibe*.” The specs are solid, but some feel they don’t scream “flagship” for the price.
Software That’s Fun, Fresh, and Full of Swagger
Nothing OS 3.5 is like a party in your pocket—clean, zippy, and bursting with AI tricks like Essential Search (a Google challenger), Flip to Record (transcribes audio when you flip the phone face-down), and Essential Space for taming your digital clutter. The Glyph Matrix’s developer SDK lets apps create custom LED animations, turning your phone into a mini rave. Reviewers are loving it—CNET called the Matrix “a total game-changer” for quick info glances, a big upgrade from the older Glyph lights.
The internet’s eating up the software’s charm. “It’s like Stock Android got a glow-up and a personality,” one Redditor gushed. But some feel the fun doesn’t match the price tag. “Glyph Toys are cool, but I’m not dropping ₹80k for a digital Magic 8 Ball,” another quipped. The OS is a crowd-pleaser, but a few folks want more substance for the cost.
Price and Availability: A Wallet-Shaking Move
In India, the Nothing Phone 3 starts at ₹79,999 for 12GB + 256GB and ₹89,999 for 16GB + 512GB—globally, that’s $799/£799 and $899/£899. It’s a huge leap from the budget-friendly Phone 3a (₹31,999/€379). Pre-orders began July 4, with full sales starting July 15 via Nothing’s website, Amazon, and select retailers. Early buyers snag free Nothing Ear earbuds (worth ₹14,999) and a one-year extended warranty, a sweet deal to soften the blow. But that price has India’s tech crowd reeling.
Social media’s exploding with reactions like, “₹80k?! Is this a phone or a luxury handbag?!” Reddit’s no kinder, with users arguing brands like Poco and Xiaomi offer similar specs for half the price. “I love Nothing’s style, but ₹79,999 for a non-top-tier chip? That’s a stretch,” one commenter said. Others are more forgiving: “You’re paying for the design and the experience, not just specs.” The price is a bold move, and it’s got everyone buzzing.
The Verdict: A Wild Ride Worth the Hype?
The Nothing Phone 3 is a glorious weirdo, a phone that dares to stand out in a world of cookie-cutter slabs. Its jaw-dropping design, playful Glyph Matrix, and slick software have reviewers raving, with TechRadar calling it “2025’s most thrilling phone” and CNET admitting it’s tempting even iPhone diehards. But the ₹79,999 price and not-quite-elite chipset have some folks clutching their wallets.
Online, it’s a love-hate party: fans are screaming, “Shut up and take my money!” while skeptics are like, “Nice try, but I’ll grab a OnePlus 13.” As one Redditor put it, “This phone’s a total vibe, but vibes don’t always justify ₹80k.” Is the Nothing Phone 3 a dazzling masterpiece for those craving something unique, or an overpriced experiment that misses the mark? One thing’s for sure: it’s got the tech world in a tizzy, and that’s half the victory.
So, what’s your take? Are you ready to shell out ₹79,999 for this quirky king, or is it a hard pass? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s keep the chaos going!
