Nothing Phone 3: A ₹80K Flagship with Bold Design and Clean Software — But Is It Perfect?

Nothing Phone 3: These days, buying a flagship phone means spending ₹80–90K. And even after that, what do you get? A dull design, slightly outdated software, and battery life that barely makes it through the day. Every Android flagship phone from every brand starts to feel the same — that original touch seems to have vanished. For those looking for the best phones under ₹80K, there’s rarely something exciting.

This time, Nothing has taken a bold step — the new version of the Glyph Matrix, a fresh Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, and even wireless reverse charging are packed in. All the flashy Nothing Phone 3 features you’d expect from a flagship are here.

Let’s dive into all the key aspects — from performance to pricing.

Also, read this: Honor X9C Review

Performance & Processor – Speed Meets Stability

The Phone (3) is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 — a 4nm processor with a top clock speed of 3.21GHz. It features the latest Cortex-X4 and A720 cores along with the Adreno 825 GPU. According to Nothing, this chip brings a 36% improvement in CPU performance, 88% in GPU, and a massive 125% in AI capabilities over the previous model.

In daily use, whether it’s multitasking, gaming, or heavy apps, the phone handles everything effortlessly. With 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, switching between apps feels smooth with zero lag.

Also, read this: OnePlus 13

Camera Quality – Four Cameras, But Mixed Results

The rear setup includes three 50MP sensors — main, ultra-wide, and periscope telephoto. On the front, there’s a 50MP selfie shooter. All cameras support 4K@60fps video recording.

Nothing has equipped the camera with its TrueLens Engine 4, featuring real-time HDR, motion tracking, and macro portrait capabilities. In daylight, photos come out sharp and well-balanced, but low-light performance is a bit inconsistent.

If you’re a serious mobile photographer, this setup may not quite match the level of a Galaxy or iPhone.

Battery Life & Charging – Lasts Two Days Easily

The phone houses a 5500mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering slightly more backup than the global variant. In daily usage, you can expect 6–7 hours of screen-on time without a hitch.

It supports 65W wired fast charging, which takes it from 0 to 100% in about 54 minutes. There’s also 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging — adding a premium touch.

Design & Build Quality – Futuristic Aesthetics with Premium Feel

The design is where this phone truly shines. The transparent back features 489 micro-LEDs in the Glyph Matrix system, which displays timers, alerts, and interactive widgets. This time, a new Glyph Button has been added that lets you trigger extra features.

At just 8.99mm thick and weighing 218g, it’s slim and well-balanced. Both sides are protected — Gorilla Glass 7i in front and Victus on the back, plus IP68 water and dust resistance. It’s a treat for design lovers.

Display Quality – Bright, Sharp, and Smooth

The Phone (3) features a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1260×2800 pixels. It supports HDR10+, 10-bit color, and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.

Peak brightness hits 4500 nits, though typical outdoor use levels out at around 1600 nits. With 2160Hz PWM dimming, it’s easy on the eyes even at low brightness.

Software Experience – Clean UI with Long-Term Support

The Phone (3) comes pre-installed with Nothing OS 3.5, based on Android 15. The UI feels minimal, smooth, and modern. This Nothing OS 3.5 review highlights new features like Essential Space, Essential Search, and Flip to Record — all powered by AI.

Most impressive — you get 5 years of Android OS updates and 7 years of security patches. The next major update, Android 16, is confirmed for Q3 2025. The only downside? Some users have reported heating issues and limited customization.

Network & Connectivity – A Full Flagship Package

When it comes to connectivity, the Phone (3) is fully future-ready. It supports 5G SA/NSA, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, eSIM + Dual SIM, USB-C audio, stereo speakers, and an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Navigation is comprehensive too, with support for GPS, NavIC, and GLONASS.

For more information, visit the official website Nothing Phone (3)

Pricing & Variants – Premium Price, But Worth the Offers

Before diving in, here’s the Nothing Phone 3 price in India:

VariantRAM + StorageLaunch PriceEffective Price (With Offers)Freebies
Standard12GB + 256GB₹79,999₹62,999Nothing Ear + 1-Year Warranty
High-End16GB + 512GB₹89,999₹72,999Nothing Ear + 1-Year Warranty

Color options: Black and White.

Nothing Phone 3 Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Unique Glyph design, powerful processor, long software support, solid battery life, fast charging.
  • Cons: Camera falls short of Galaxy/iPhone level, no LTPO display, no mmWave 5G.

Final Verdict – Is This the Best ₹80K Flagship?

Nothing Phone (3) feels like a phone from another world — and for its design, software policy, and the unique Glyph experience, it’s definitely worth recommending. The battery lasts two days, and the software is future-proof.

However, if you’re looking for a flagship-level camera, LTPO display, or mmWave 5G — the Nothing Phone 3 vs Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 comparisons may steer you toward Samsung or Apple.

But if you appreciate clean software, long-term updates, and a standout design, then the Phone (3) could easily be the best pick in the ₹80K price range.

Author

  • Hi, I'm Vikash, a blogger with 3+ years of experience in writing about automobiles and mobile reviews. I simplify complex features into easy-to-read content to help you make smart buying choices in tech and auto.

Leave a Comment