Nothing Phone 3 Launch July 2025: Specs & Design Leaks

Introduction

After two years of anticipation, the Nothing Phone 3 is finally breaking cover. Positioned as the brand’s first true flagship, Phone 3 isn’t just another iteration—it’s a strategic shift. With significant upgrades across design, performance, and software, Nothing aims to push the envelope in a smartphone market that has grown predictably iterative.

Launch Date & Availability

The Nothing Phone 3 will be officially unveiled on 1 July 2025, with wide availability expected in the U.S., U.K., India, and other key global markets. This will be the first time Nothing launches a flagship with full distribution support in the U.S., signaling its growth beyond niche and beta markets.

Design: Familiar Yet Forward

The design moves away from the iconic Glyph interface and instead introduces a dot-matrix rear display that maintains recognizability while refreshing the visual identity. The new design language is described as maintaining the brand’s “technical warmth,” but more refined and futuristic. Expect dual-tone finishes, a tactile programmable button, and a cleaner rear profile.

Display & Build Quality

• Display: 6.77-inch LTPO AMOLED
• Resolution: 1.5K, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
• Brightness: Up to 3,000 nits peak
• Material: Glass back with metal frame (possibly titanium)

The display offers both visual quality and responsiveness, with a peak brightness designed to handle even harsh daylight. Build quality and in-hand feel have been core priorities.

Performance: A True Flagship Engine

Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, the Phone 3 features:

• CPU: 36% faster than Phone 2
• GPU: 88% faster
• MPU (AI/ML): 60% stronger

This is Nothing’s first phone to use a current-year flagship chipset. The CPU/GPU boost directly enhances multitasking, AI features, gaming, and camera processing. According to Carl Pei, this chip was chosen to match the broader performance uplift across the device—not just to win benchmarks.

Storage & Battery

• Variants: 12GB RAM + 256GB / 16GB RAM + 512GB
• Battery: ~5,000mAh with 50W wired + 20W wireless charging

Battery optimization has reportedly improved alongside hardware performance. The larger MPU helps support on-device AI processing without draining the battery excessively.

Camera System

• Rear:
  • 50MP main sensor (OIS)
  • 50MP telephoto with 3x zoom
  • 8MP ultrawide
• Front:
  • 32MP selfie camera

Internal teams have been more deeply involved in tuning the camera system. There’s a new emphasis on consistency, accuracy, and user-driven feedback loops. According to Pei, the camera isn’t meant to be flashy, but it performs solidly in almost every context.

Software: Android 16 with Nothing OS 4

The Phone 3 runs on Nothing OS 4, based on Android 16, offering:

• A near-stock UI with custom minimal touches
• 3 years of Android updates
• 6 years of security patches

Also returning is Essential Space, a feature that integrates notes, voice memos, screenshots, and AI tools into one intuitive center. Despite being in preview mode, early data shows over 20% weekly active use. Nothing has confirmed more robust AI features will continue to roll out via Essential Space.

AI & On-Device Intelligence

While Nothing doesn’t build its own large language models, it leverages top-tier external ones with a roadmap for future on-device deployment. Thanks to improvements in on-chip NPUs, the company expects to offer more intelligent features locally—preserving user privacy and minimizing latency.

Pricing & Business Intent

• US: Starting at $799
• UK: Around £800
• India: Likely between ₹60,000 and ₹90,000

Carl Pei confirmed the Phone 3 reflects Nothing’s original vision of being a premium technology company—not a midrange brand. Building a flagship required more time and resources, which is why there was a 2-year gap since Phone 2.

Why the Wait Was Worth It

The development took longer by design. After feedback that Phone 2 felt too similar to Phone 1, the team took time to refine their product language and technical capabilities. Phone 3 was built from the ground up with stronger design intent, better software, and performance to match. It’s the product that Carl Pei and team believe represents their best work to date.

Conclusion

Nothing Phone 3 is a culmination of two years of learning, maturing, and refining—not just hardware, but the entire brand vision. From design to chip to software, it’s a flagship that aims to strike a balance between bold identity and real-world utility.

With the launch imminent, it remains to be seen whether the market agrees—but internally, the buzz is high, and the ambition is clear.