Nothing is known for the involvement of its community, which has a real influence on how the next generation of the young company’s smartphones are shaped. But considering the amount of hype the brand generates, expectations are high.
While 2022’s Phone (2) was an improved version of the Phone (1), it had a very similar design and camera and it felt almost identical in day-to-day use. It also got significantly more expensive.
Could the latter be repeated on the upcoming Phone (3)? It’s possible, but the arrival of the budget Phone (2a) may indicate that Phone (3) will be an even better flagship than its predecessor.
When will the Nothing Phone (3) be released?
At this point we have no official information on a release date. However, looking at the launch dates of previous generations, we can have a good guess:
According to Android Headlines, the Phone (3) is definitely coming out this summer. And continuing the pattern, a July 2024 launch is most likely.
How much will the Nothing Phone (3) cost?
The prices of previous models during their initial launches were as follows:
Phone (1) was one of the best mid-range phones of 2022, with price a big factor in that. Its successor, the Phone (2) raised the bar by including a flagship chipset, hence the price rise, though this wasn’t the absolute latest and greatest at the time of launch.
If Nothing decides to once again use a more powerful flagship chipset such as the recently announced Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the price of the Phone (3) could be increased once again.
However, according to 91Mobiles, the upcoming phone in India might cost between 40,000 to 45,000 rupees, similar to the launch price of Phone (2) at 45,000 rupees. This translates to £579/$599, matching the Phone (2)’s launch price.
What specs and features will the Nothing Phone (3) have?
So far, there have been quite a few leaks about the Phone (3). Recently, Android Headlines reported on a mysterious phone codenamed ‘Tetris’, which was thought to be the Phone (3).
However, following BIS certification (via 91Mobiles), it is expected to be the first smartphone from CMF (a company affiliated with Nothing). To quote, “the device with code name ‘Tetris’ and model number ‘A015’ is not Nothing Phone 3”.
However, this doesn’t prevent us from theorising a little about what the Phone (3) might improve over its predecessor.
Design
Previously, the Nothing Phone has made compromises in build quality in order to meet its price point. With the third iteration, we hope to see improvements in protection and durability. The adoption of newer glass technology, possibly the robust Gorilla Glass Victus, could further enhance the device’s overall build quality.
A notable improvement could also be made in the device’s water and dust resistance. The IP54 rating of the Phone (2) falls short of the more common IP68 rating seen in flagship smartphones. Elevating this to at least IP68 would bring the Phone (3) in line with industry standards.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Display & speakers
We do not expect many changes regarding the screen on the Phone (3) compared to its predecessor. The Phone (2) has a 6.7-inch OLED screen that can refresh at up to 120Hz and uses LTPO tech to scale the refresh rate right back down to 1Hz when not needed to save battery.
However, the screen proved to be very difficult to see clearly outdoors. Nothing says it gets up to 1,000 nits outdoors – it’s not enough, and one of the most annoying things about the Phone (2). It can hit 1,600 nits indoors.
A potential increase in maximum screen brightness on the Phone (3) may therefore be very likely.
Improving sound quality and internal speakers would also contribute to a more satisfying audio experience, even for those who primarily use Bluetooth earbuds. Nothing might have its own Ear (2) earbuds, but you don’t want to have to use them all the time.
Performance
Despite featuring a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, we had some concerns about the OS slowing down and stalling in our Phone (2) review.
The Nothing Phone (3) could address this by considering an upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powers many 2023 flagships. Or it could go all out and opt for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, positioned between the Gen 2 and Gen 3 versions, which would allow it to rival the best Android phones in terms of performance.
This mid-tier chip boasts impressive specs, including a Cortex-X4 core at 3GHz, three performance cores at 2.8GHz, and four efficiency cores at 2GHz.
Diversifying the Phone (3) from its predecessors could cater to a wider audience. Introducing it as a premium model after adding a new budget-friendly Phone (2a), would allow customers to pick the phone which best suited their budget.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Glyph Interface
Building on the strides made with the Phone (2), software refinement remains essential. The Glyph Interface’s features, though innovative, need practical enhancements. Continued efforts to attract third-party support for Glyph features could significantly broaden its appeal.
The Glyph Interface has the potential to be a key selling point of the Phone (3). Exploring innovative uses, such as creating a universal standard for broader applications, and collaborating with major retailers for unique Glyph features could make it a compelling reason to buy the phone.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Cameras
Upgrading the camera setup would also be welcome. In particular, by introducing a better main rear lens and addressing issues with the ultrawide. Low-light performance, colour reproduction, and reduced shutter lag should also be priorities for the Phone (3).
Battery & charging
The Phone (2) features a sizable 4,700mAh battery with support for 45W wired fast charging. It is likely that Phone (3) will receive exactly the same treatment.
However, expectations are high for even more advanced fast charging technology and an increased battery capacity.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Software
Phone (3) will most likely be available with Android 14 and Nothing OS 2.5 out of the box. Expect at least the same functionality as the Phone (2), including the latest integration with ChatGPT.
As we eagerly await the unveiling of the Phone (3), these are only our best guesses on its potential specs. It remains to be seen what Nothing will do with its smartphones next.
We’ll update this article once more is revealed Phone (3). In the meantime, take a look at our picks of the current best Android phones and the best mid-range phones to see what else is out there.
