Nothing Phone 3 Launches Globally: Worth Rs 79,999?

Nothing officially introduced its Phone 3 model at a global launch earlier this month, marking a significant shift in its market positioning. The new device enters the premium smartphone segment with a price tag of Rs 79,999, placing it alongside high-end offerings from Apple and Samsung.

The Nothing Phone 3 is powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and integrates new design elements, a revamped LED notification system, and artificial intelligence-based tools aimed at enhancing user productivity.

The Phone 3 sports a redesigned rear panel, now featuring a triple-column layout and a dot-matrix-style Glyph Matrix LED in the top-right corner. The device incorporates a touch-sensitive button for interacting with the Glyph Matrix and a red LED indicator for video recording. The phone is built with Gorilla Glass Victus and an aluminium frame, offering both durability and lightweight handling.

The handset features a 6.67-inch flexible AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The screen resolution has been improved over the previous model, with support for 10-bit colour. In various lighting environments, including outdoor conditions, the panel delivered consistent brightness and responsiveness. The device includes an optical in-display fingerprint sensor.

Notably, the Phone 3 does not support LTPO refresh rate adjustment or high-frame-rate gaming, a detail that might matter to gamers.

The Phone 3 includes a quad-camera setup with four 50-megapixel sensors — three on the rear and one at the front. The rear modules include a primary sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a periscope telephoto with 60x zoom. All rear cameras support 4K video recording at 60 fps.

Initial performance was affected by minor software bugs but improved after updates. In well-lit conditions, image results were detailed and accurate without aggressive processing. The portrait mode produced natural-looking shots with good edge separation.

Low-light photography initially showed slower processing and some blurring, but post-update results were significantly better. Compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the Phone 3 showed a slight delay in low-light shooting but improved with software refinements.

Driven by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, the Phone 3 delivered smooth performance in multitasking and content streaming. Gaming was handled efficiently under moderate loads. For intensive gaming needs, competitors like iQOO 13 may offer more raw power at a similar price.

The smartphone operates on Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15. It features a minimal user interface, distinctive visual elements, and includes an "Essential Space" function. This feature allows storage of voice notes, photos, and text content. Interaction is enabled through a dedicated button that triggers screenshots, voice recording, and access to this smart space.

Users can choose between Google Gemini and ChatGPT as AI assistants. The system also supports Wallpaper Studio, enabling AI-generated wallpapers based on text prompts. Nothing UI provides multiple custom widgets and visual theming options. The company promises five years of Android updates for the device.

The Phone 3 is equipped with a 5500mAh battery and supports 65W wired charging. Under average usage conditions, the device offered nearly 13 hours of runtime on a single charge.

With the Phone 3, Nothing enters a new product tier. At Rs 79,999, it targets a global audience and competes in the flagship space. The device stands out for its unique design, polished software, reliable performance and long-term update support. While some areas such as low-light photography need refinement, Nothing’s direction signals its intent to be a serious contender beyond the mid-range category.