Nothing Phone 3 Launches at Rs 79,999: Worth It or Not?
Nothing Phone 3 launches in India at Rs 79,999 with a bold design, clean UI, great battery, and mid-range chip. Is it worth the price? Find out now.
image for illustrative purpose
After a two-year break from premium launches, London-based tech firm Nothing has introduced its flagship contender, the Nothing Phone 3, in India. Priced at Rs. 79,999, the device enters a space crowded with competitors such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25, and OnePlus 13. Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, the device's pricing and performance are already under scrutiny.
Nothing Phone 3 maintains the brand's distinct transparent aesthetics but adds an asymmetrical triple-camera module. With a 9 mm thick aluminium frame and weighing 218g, the phone feels solid. The redesigned Glyph Matrix, replacing the earlier Glyph Interface, includes over 480 individual LEDs to display app alerts, caller IDs, and notification icons. New additions like the Essential Key and a red recording light hint at a shift towards productivity, although public feedback on the design remains divided.
The handset features a 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED display with HDR10+ and Widevine L1 certification, offering a 1260x2800 resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Peak brightness touches 4500 nits, ideal for outdoor usage. While the display suits multimedia consumption, rivals from Apple and Samsung offer more refined visuals.
Phone 3 includes a 50MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP periscope shooter with 3x optical zoom. Daylight photography yields sharp, color-accurate results. However, low-light performance is inconsistent, with grain and color inaccuracy affecting output. The portrait mode faces focus and edge-detection challenges, while the periscope lens delivers strong results at 3x but deteriorates beyond that.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip delivers consistent performance during multitasking and gaming. Despite lacking the flagship 8 Gen 4 Elite, the chip holds up well for daily activities, with minimal stutter. Gaming titles like Genshin Impact and BGMI run smoothly, although the device tends to heat during extended sessions. The VC cooling system controls thermal performance effectively.
Running on Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15, the device emphasizes a minimal UI. The interface features Dot Engine, Essential Space, and Gemini AI support. Clean design and low bloatware make the experience user-friendly, although it lacks the AI-enhanced capabilities present in other flagship UIs.
A significant enhancement is the 5500mAh battery supporting 65W fast charging. With around 8 hours of screen time per charge, the device meets demands of heavy users. It charges fully in under an hour with an 80W charger. Battery efficiency is one of the Phone 3's strongest aspects.
While the Nothing Phone 3 showcases strong performance, camera capabilities, and unique design elements, the lack of a top-tier chipset and the high price place it in a challenging position. Competing devices offer similar or better specifications at lower costs. Buyers focused on software simplicity, innovative design, and battery life may find it appealing, but those seeking flagship hardware at this price point may want to explore alternatives.
