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 deal with creativity, intelligence, and pure design pleasure.
Now, it is no secret I just like the Nothing model and its strategy. 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 must you 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) contains a tri-column grid based mostly on three versatile PCBs, which give the inspiration of how the telephone capabilities. “It brings rhythm and construction to the format, giving the telephone a peaceful and assured presence… We name it technical heat, the place construction meets soul,” says Pei.
Having now gone hands-on with the Nothing Cellphone (3), I can say it is a pretty smartphone, and goes some method to being that emotive {hardware} design Pei needs to make. Under 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 issues
The Cellphone (3) continues Nothing’s now-iconic clear aesthetic however introduces significant modifications. Pei describes how the redesigned body is impressed by trendy 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 up to now 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 develop into a design aesthetic of current Nothing Telephones now lights and blinks crimson when video recording.
However maybe the boldest evolution is on the again. Somewhat than taking up your complete again of the telephone, the brand new Glyph matrix sits in a round show on the top-right of the telephone, subsequent to the cameras. Somewhat than a easy mixture of LEDs, this can be a functioning show designed to point out new animated emotes, dot matrix digital camera results, and extra.
Each day design information, opinions, how-tos and extra, as picked by the editors.
“There’s been plenty of dialogue on-line, so I need to set the report straight,” says Pei. “The Glyph will not 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 File function that auto-transcribes conferences once you place the telephone face down. However it’s the gamification of the Glyph system that can excite many customers.
“You’ll be able to present much more content material on a display than on mild strips,” Pei explains. “After which there’s the enjoyable aspect, Glyph Toys are playful, ambient experiences that reside on the again of your machine… 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 carry two new Glyph Toys to life: the Magic 8 Ball and the Leveler. That is just the start.”
Leveler is simply that, a dot matrix spirit stage that makes use of the telephone’s gyros for measurements, and it is enjoyable to see the little dot gloop concerning the show and settle when the telephone is angled. I can not wait to see what individuals provide you with 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 manner round. That’s why we constructed the Glyph Matrix, to create a calmer and extra expressive manner so that you can keep linked, letting you see what’s essential with out turning on the display.”
(Picture credit score: Nothing)
The specs to match the appears to be like
The 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 photographs in any mild. 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 have been revealed: Snapdragon’s newest 8s Gen 4 chip brings a 36% enhance in CPU efficiency and an enormous 88% enhance in GPU energy, making cellular gaming, multitasking, and real-time enhancing ultra-fluid. I would have to spend extra time with Cellphone (3) for a verdict, nevertheless it feels quicker and extra nimble than some current smartphones I’ve used.
Whereas most tech manufacturers rush to bolt AI onto legacy methods, Nothing is embedding intelligence the place it issues. Nothing OS 3.5 consists of Important House, a minimalist AI organiser that helps report 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 House, a brand new layer in Nothing OS – a peaceful and targeted 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 File – simply place the telephone face-down in a gathering, and it’ll start recording and summarising the dialog into Important House routinely. As somebody who often wants to make use of AI transcribers, this might develop into a vital device.
(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 modify apps. In observe, it appears to be like like a quicker method to search, and but one more reason why Google needs to be involved. As extra of us reside and work on our telephones, a device like Important Search might develop into invaluable.
“Smartphone AI typically feels floor stage,” Pei explains. “We’re taking a special strategy… As a result of smartphones have already got scale, and no different machine has higher context on you. AI offers us an actual shot to redefine the software program expertise – nevertheless it needs to be helpful.”
He continues: “To achieve success right here, you want three issues: pace, which comes from being a nimble startup; style, which we’ve confirmed by means of 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 strategy 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 purpose to exchange widespread search instruments and organisers with its UI and UX (it makes me want a Nothing pill was within the works).
Cellphone (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.
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Nothing Cellphone (3) costs
12 GB + 256 GB
£799 / $799 / €799
16 GB + 512 GB
£899 / $899 / €899
Row 2 – Cell 0
Row 2 – Cell 1
So why does this matter? Perhaps 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 stage of element is extra advanced and mature than the earlier generations… It’s an object that deserves to take a seat in your desk.”
Cellphone (3) would possibly simply be probably the most private smartphone but – designed not simply to impress, however to precise (and consider me, these Glyph Toys are going to develop into an obsession).
Pre-orders for Nothing Cellphone (3) begin 4 July 2025 by way of nothing.tech, with open gross sales from 15 July 2025.
