Nothing Phone 3 review: can its unique design escape the "niche trap"?

Nothing Phone 3 review: can its unique design escape the "niche trap"?

      Last month, the tech brand Nothing introduced its latest smartphone series, the Nothing Phone 3, marking the third generation of its flagship devices. With a bold “dare to be different” design approach, the device has garnered significant attention in the premium smartphone market. Priced at $799, the Phone 3's distinctive and somewhat controversial design makes it one of this year's most discussed smartphones.

      Our team tested a unit, and here are our impressions after using the phone for ten days.

      **Glyph Matrix: A Fun yet Practical LED Mini Display**

      The asymmetrically positioned triple rear cameras create a visual clash with a half-circle LED light strip located on the back. Paired with the visible circuit patterns beneath the transparent back, it maintains the brand’s “geeky industrial” aesthetic. However, the circular feature in the upper right is what truly draws your attention.

      The Nothing Phone 3 boasts a monochrome display known as the Glyph Matrix, situated in the upper-right area of the back panel. Made up of small LED lights and about the size of a coin, this secondary screen showcases information like incoming call alerts, time, and battery status, while also allowing various customizations through pixelated animations.

      Features of the Glyph Matrix include:

      - **Battery Indicator:** Displays the battery percentage in real-time and shows animated visuals during charging.

      - **Digital Clock/Sun Clock:** Offers a 24-hour digital time display or a “Sun Clock” mode that mimics the sun’s movement using light and shadow.

      - **Stopwatch/Timer:** Provides quick access to timing functions, ideal for workouts or cooking.

      - **Spin the Bottle:** The display simulates a spinning bottle for choosing a participant for Truth or Dare.

      - **Rock-Paper-Scissors:** Facilitates a quick game with friends, showing outcomes via dynamic LED patterns.

      - **Magic 8-Ball:** When shaken, the matrix randomly presents answers like “yes” or “no,” serving as a decision-making toy.

      On the front, the user interface presents a sleek, high-tech design and doesn't include unnecessary pre-installed third-party applications.

      **A New Triple 50MP Camera System**

      To improve upon the weaker camera performance of its predecessor, the Phone 3 introduces a triple 50MP camera system for the first time. The main camera includes a sizable 1/1.3-inch sensor, the telephoto lens provides 3x optical zoom along with up to 60x AI super-resolution zoom, and the ultra-wide lens enables capturing of broader scenes.

      Here’s a collection of photos taken with the device:

      **Enhanced Performance, but Not a Flagship Processor**

      While it doesn't feature a top-of-the-line flagship chipset, the Nothing Phone 3 still offers reliable performance through its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor (4nm). When combined with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, it manages to run Tencent’s shooter game Delta Force smoothly for two hours without significant heating.

      The phone sports a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, 2,160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, and peaks at 4,500 nits brightness. It is outfitted with a 5,150mAh silicon-carbon anode battery that supports 65W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging, easily lasting through a full day of intensive usage.

      **Pros:**

      - Striking and high-tech design

      - Entertaining Glyph Matrix display

      - Comprehensive camera capabilities across all focal lengths

      - Extended battery life

      - Streamlined operating system

      **Cons:**

      - Processor isn’t top-tier for the price range

      - Design may be divisive and attract a niche audience

      This smartphone is perfect for tech enthusiasts who appreciate unique, personalized designs and Android aficionados who prefer a clean interface. If you're in search of an innovative flagship, the Nothing Phone 3 could provide a refreshing experience. However, it seems set to uphold Nothing’s reputation for niche products, and for users seeking a more universally reliable phone, other mainstream models at a similar price point may be a wiser choice.

      Jessie Wu is a technology reporter based in Shanghai. She writes about consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can reach her via e-mail: [email protected].

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Nothing Phone 3 review: can its unique design escape the "niche trap"?

Last month, tech company Nothing introduced its latest smartphone lineup, the Nothing Phone 3, marking the third generation of its flagship devices. Embracing a daring "dare to" approach...