Nothing Phone 3 First Look with Andrew Lanxon of CNET
AI-created, human-reviewed.
Nothing has made a bold statement with its latest smartphone, positioning the Nothing Phone 3 as the company's first true flagship device. With a significant price jump to $799 and promises of premium features, the question remains: can Nothing finally compete with established players like Apple, Samsung, and Google?
CNET's Andrew Lanxon recently had hands-on time with the device at its launch event, and his insights reveal both the potential and challenges facing Nothing's flagship ambitions.
A Flagship Leap in Specs and Price
The Nothing Phone 3 represents a substantial departure from the company's previous budget-focused approach. "While previous phones were maybe between $300 and $400, this one is starting at $799," Lanxon explains. "That's obviously a lot more money, but it is packing some extra power under the hood."
The significant price increase comes with meaningful hardware upgrades. The device features a Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chip, improved camera units, and what Nothing claims is innovative silicon-carbon battery technology designed to provide better power and longevity. This marks a clear shift from the company's previous strategy of using lower-end processors and camera units to maintain affordable pricing.
The Glyph Matrix: Evolution of Nothing's Design Language
Nothing's signature design element, the Glyph interface, has evolved significantly with the Nothing Phone 3. Previous Nothing phones featured scattered LEDs on the back that were "basically a little bit functionally useless," according to Lanxon. "They just sort of flash if a notification comes in, but otherwise there's not a whole lot of meaning there."
The Nothing Phone 3 transforms this concept with the Glyph Matrix, a dot matrix display positioned in the top right corner of the device. "Because it's an actual little display it can actually show things, little pictures, little bits of text and stuff," Lanxon notes. This functional upgrade allows the display to show information like the time or incoming caller names, making it genuinely useful rather than merely decorative.
The company has also introduced "Glyph Toys," mini-games that interact with the display. While some applications seem quirky—like a spin-the-bottle game that Nothing suggests for splitting restaurant bills—Lanxon acknowledges these features help differentiate the device in a crowded market. "At a time when most phones being launched are essentially the same grey rectangular slabs," he observes, "it's nice to kind of finally have something a little bit different to say."
Camera Ambitions: Triple 50MP Setup
Photography capabilities often serve as the primary differentiator among flagship smartphones, and Nothing appears to understand this reality. The Nothing Phone 3 features a triple 50-megapixel camera setup with promises of improved image processing capabilities.
"On paper it looks pretty good. They're saying all the right things," Lanxon comments. The company has emphasized improvements in image signal processors, larger sensors, and wider apertures designed to gather more light than previous models. These enhancements should particularly benefit low-light photography, a crucial area for flagship competition.
However, Lanxon remains cautiously optimistic about the camera's performance against established competitors. "I would be surprised if we've got a new phone camera champion on our hands," he admits, noting that previous Nothing phones have been disappointing in camera performance. "The cameras have been okay for the money, but certainly you wouldn't buy it if you were especially keen on your photography."
Nothing OS: A Distinctive but Divisive Experience
The software experience on Nothing phones stands out dramatically from other Android devices, though not necessarily in ways that appeal to all users. Nothing OS applies a strong visual skin that transforms the interface into a stark, monochrome aesthetic.
"The apps themselves, even things down to Chrome and YouTube and other Google apps, have been turned all black and white with this very stark look," Lanxon explains. While this creates a unique visual identity, it can impact usability. "I really need those visual cues for me to be able to pick out certain apps, and I spend half the time when I'm using the phone just going… hang on. Which one was this?"
Despite the potential confusion, Lanxon acknowledges that the distinctive look gives Nothing phones a clear identity that differs from both other Android devices and iPhones.
AI Integration Through Essential Space
Nothing's approach to artificial intelligence focuses on practical applications rather than flashy features. The Essential Space serves as a centralized repository for thoughts, notes, and information, accessible through a dedicated hardware button.
"It's basically a brain dump space as you have your stream of consciousness throughout the day," Lanxon describes. Users can record voice notes, take screenshots, capture photos, and save them to Essential Space, which then provides AI-powered summaries and organization.
The Noting Phone 3 introduces Enhanced Recording functionality that transcribes voice recordings and extracts key points from meetings, including actionable items like booking appointments or making purchases. Lanxon finds this approach appealing: "As a busy journalist having a very easy access voice notes tool that will summarize things, Give me the reminder later on. I'm kind of into that."
Pricing Strategy and Market Position
Nothing has positioned the Nothing Phone 3 strategically within the flagship market. At $799, it matches the base Pixel 9 price while undercutting premium models like the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro. The company also promises seven years of security updates, matching industry-leading support timelines.
"I think they have priced it very cleverly," Lanxon observes. "It undercuts the Pixel 9 Pro. It undercuts the iPhone 16 Pro, but not by a huge amount, so it definitely will still feel premium."
The Verdict: Potential and Uncertainty
The Nothing Phone 3 represents the company's most ambitious smartphone to date, but questions remain about its ability to truly compete with established flagship devices. While the specifications look promising on paper, real-world performance testing will determine whether Nothing can deliver flagship-quality experiences across all areas.
"If OnePlus, if nothing, genuinely wants to call this a flagship, it needs to be competing with imaging at a flagship level," Lanxon concludes. The camera performance, in particular, will likely determine whether consumers view the Nothing Phone 3 as a legitimate flagship alternative or simply a well-designed mid-range device with premium pricing.
For the company, the Nothing Phone 3 represents both an opportunity and a risk. Success could establish the company as a serious challenger to major smartphone manufacturers, while failure might limit its future flagship ambitions. The unique design language and software approach provide clear differentiation, but ultimately, performance and camera quality will determine whether the Nothing Phone 3 can justify its flagship claims and $799 price point.
