The Nothing Cellphone (3) has been introduced at a particular reveal occasion in London, and as soon as once more, the UK-based design-first tech model is pushing in opposition to the grain. The third-generation smartphone from Carl Pei’s designer model takes what labored earlier than and evolves it, in kind, operate, and philosophy, with a give attention to creativity, intelligence, and pure design pleasure.Now, it is no secret I just like the Nothing model and its method. I reviewed the Nothing Cellphone (2) after shopping for it, and have been utilizing it, on and off, with Nothing Cellphone 2a and 3a, ever since. The brand new Nothing Headphone (1) are a brand new obsession too. However why do you have to care as a lot as I do concerning the model’s new, and arguably first, true flagship smartphone?For starters, Nothing’s consideration to distinctive design continues, as CEO Carl Pei particulars in his keynote throughout launch, explaining how the rear of the Cellphone (3) includes a tri-column grid based mostly on three versatile PCBs, which give the inspiration of how the cellphone features. “It brings rhythm and construction to the format, giving the cellphone a relaxed and assured presence… We name it technical heat, the place construction meets soul,” says Pei.
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Having now gone hands-on with the Nothing Cellphone (3), I can say it is a beautiful smartphone, and goes some approach to being that emotive {hardware} design Pei needs to make. Beneath I share the specs and particulars, and provide some hands-on opinion of how this all feels within the hand.(Picture credit score: Future)Design mattersThe Cellphone (3) continues Nothing’s now-iconic clear aesthetic however introduces significant modifications. Pei describes how the redesigned body is impressed by fashionable structure, with daring geometry and ergonomically curved edges. Uniform bezels (simply 1.87mm skinny) body a 6.67-inch versatile AMOLED display, Nothing’s brightest so far with 4,500 nits peak HDR brightness.Within the hand, Cellphone (3) feels nicer to carry; neater and extra agile, even. These slim bezels and vibrant show really feel premium, whereas each black and white editions get near that distinctive design philosophy Nothing aspires to. There’s even room for some little touches of character tech giants iron out – the little crimson sq. that is turn into a design aesthetic of latest Nothing Telephones now lights and blinks crimson when video recording.However maybe the boldest evolution is on the again. Moderately than taking up your complete again of the cellphone, the brand new Glyph matrix sits in a round show on the top-right of the cellphone, subsequent to the cameras. Moderately than a easy mixture of LEDs, it is a functioning show designed to indicate new animated emotes, dot matrix digicam results, and extra.Each day design information, opinions, how-tos and extra, as picked by the editors.“There’s been loads of dialogue on-line, so I wish to set the file straight,” says Pei. “The Glyph shouldn’t be a gimmick. Eight out of ten of our customers have the Glyph interface enabled from day one.”(Picture credit score: Nothing)With the Cellphone (3), the Glyph evolves into the Glyph Matrix, a wiser, extra expressive system that makes use of a grid of micro-LEDs. Notifications for contacts, apps and timers now seem visually, and embrace instruments like a stopwatch, visible selfie countdowns, and a Flip to Document characteristic that auto-transcribes conferences whenever you place the cellphone face down. But it surely’s the gamification of the Glyph system that can excite many customers.“You possibly can present much more content material on a display than on gentle strips,” Pei explains. “After which there’s the enjoyable aspect, Glyph Toys are playful, ambient experiences that reside on the again of your system… Rock Paper Scissors, even Spin the Bottle. As a result of enjoyable deserves a spot in tech too.”Nothing has opened up a public SDK at nothing.group, and is already working with followers. “We labored with members of our group to deliver two new Glyph Toys to life: the Magic 8 Ball and the Leveler. That is only the start.”Leveler is simply that, a dot matrix spirit degree that makes use of the cellphone’s gyros for measurements, and it is enjoyable to see the little dot gloop concerning the show and settle when the cellphone is angled. I can not wait to see what individuals give you for Glyph Toys, from Tamagochi-style characters to maybe AR animations.Pei provides: “We consider smartphones ought to be just right for you and never the opposite means round. That’s why we constructed the Glyph Matrix, to create a calmer and extra expressive means so that you can keep linked, letting you see what’s necessary with out turning on the display.”(Picture credit score: Nothing)The specs to match the looksThe Cellphone (3) is greater than succesful, too, and a technical step ahead when in comparison with earlier releases. A triple-lens system with a 1/1.3-inch sensor captures sharp, cinematic pictures in any gentle. There’s lossless optical zoom, full-lens 4K 60fps video, and one thing I can not wait to strive, skilled presets crafted with working photographers to create stylised pictures with a click on.On the occasion, the specs had been revealed: Snapdragon’s newest 8s Gen 4 chip brings a 36% increase in CPU efficiency and an enormous 88% enhance in GPU energy, making cell gaming, multitasking, and real-time modifying ultra-fluid. I would must spend extra time with Cellphone (3) for a verdict, however it feels quicker and extra nimble than some latest smartphones I’ve used.Whereas most tech manufacturers rush to bolt AI onto legacy programs, Nothing is embedding intelligence the place it issues. Nothing OS 3.5 contains Important Area, a minimalist AI organiser that helps file and retailer notes, pictures, and concepts in a single calm hub that is already on older Nothing Telephones.“Earlier this 12 months, we previewed Important Area, a brand new layer in Nothing OS – a relaxed and centered place, like a second reminiscence,” says Pei, reflecting: “Since launch… It’s truly, to be trustworthy, greater than we anticipated.”Cellphone (3) additionally introduces Flip to Document – simply place the cellphone face-down in a gathering, and it’ll start recording and summarising the dialog into Important Area routinely. As somebody who frequently wants to make use of AI transcribers, this might turn into a vital software.(Picture credit score: Future / Nothing)One other good addition is Important Search, a common swipe-up bar that searches your contacts, content material, and even solutions questions within the UI – no want to change apps. In apply, it appears like a quicker approach to search, and but another excuse why Google must be involved. As extra of us reside and work on our telephones, a software like Important Search might turn into invaluable.“Smartphone AI usually feels floor degree,” Pei explains. “We’re taking a distinct method… As a result of smartphones have already got scale, and no different system has higher context on you. AI provides us an actual shot to redefine the software program expertise – however it needs to be helpful.”He continues: “To achieve success right here, you want three issues: velocity, which comes from being a nimble startup; style, which we’ve confirmed via our design-first mindset; and group, which at all times helps us keep grounded to what individuals need.”What’s clear right here is Nothing’s method to AI feels user-friendly and, certainly, daring. It is repositioning Nothing gadgets and its OS as a real different to different manufacturers, with the intention to switch widespread search instruments and organisers with its UI and UX (it makes me want a Nothing pill was within the works).(Picture credit score: Future / Nothing)Quick charging and hidden benefitsPhone (3) packs a 5150mAh silicon-carbon battery – Nothing’s largest but – that comfortably lasts a day and past. Nothing boasts its new Cellphone (3) will cost from 0 to 100% in 54 minutes with 65W wired quick charging, and helps 15W wi-fi.It ships with Android 15 and Nothing OS 3.5, with Android 16 and OS 4.0 coming in direction of the top of 2025. Nothing guarantees 5 years of main Android updates and 7 years of safety assist – an industry-leading pledge.Swipe to scroll horizontallyNothing Cellphone (3) prices12 GB + 256 GB£799 / $799 / €79916 GB + 512 GB£899 / $899 / €899Row 2 – Cell 0 Row 2 – Cell 1 So why does this matter? Possibly like me, you discover many new tech releases too uniform, gadgets are, effectively… boring, and have fatigue is a particular actuality. Towards this background, Nothing is carving its path by designing with feeling, operate, and enjoyable. As Pei places it: “This new degree of element is extra developed and mature than the earlier generations… It’s an object that deserves to take a seat in your desk.”Cellphone (3) may simply be essentially the most private smartphone but – designed not simply to impress, however to specific (and consider me, these Glyph Toys are going to turn into an obsession).Pre-orders for Nothing Cellphone (3) begin 4 July 2025 through nothing.tech, with open gross sales from 15 July 2025.
