When Carl Pei launched the first Nothing Phone back in 2021, people got really excited. The phone not only looked really cool, with its transparent back and LED lights, but was also priced quite competitively. According to Pei himself, the company was selling the first model at a loss.
The second iteration built upon that, ironing out bugs and imperfections and giving the audience a much more refined product, the Nothing Phone (2). We also had the chance to take the Nothing Phone (2a) for a spin, you can check out the full review to learn more about this "A" model that Nothing has put out.
Now it's time to talk about the third version, the Nothing Phone (3), and compile everything we know about this cool phone. It's still early days, so this article is now at the stage of "what do we want to see" rather than based on concrete facts, but there are some rumors flying around that are worth our attention.
So, let's see if the third time will be the charm for Nothing. Here's everything you need to know about the Nothing Phone (3).
Jump to section:
- Nothing Phone 3 release date
- Nothing Phone 3 price
- Nothing Phone 3 camera
- Nothing Phone 3 storage
- Nothing Phone 3 design
- Nothing Phone 3 display
- Nothing Phone 3 battery
- Nothing Phone 3 features and software
- Nothing Phone 3 hardware and specs
- Should you wait for the Nothing Phone 3?
Nothing Phone 3 release date
- Probable announcement: 2025
Bad news for all Nothing fans out there: the Nothing Phone (3) won't be coming in 2024. How do we know? Carl Pei himself snuck a few words in a post on X. The lengthy post in question concerns AI but there's this paragraph in it:
"For the last two months, we’ve been designing and prototyping AI interactions. Today, I want to show you some initial concepts to give you a better idea of what I’m talking about. Expect this to be improved and gradually introduced, starting with Phone (3) next year."
Now, when it comes to hitting the market, Nothing doesn't usually keep us waiting too long. And they're not big on drawn-out pre-order campaigns either. In the past, their phones were up for grabs just a few days after they spilled the beans (original model from July 12 to July 16, and Nothing Phone (2) from July 11 to July 17).
Why does this matter? Well, July isn't usually packed with smartphone launches. August tends to be dominated by the Galaxy Z series, leaving July a bit quieter, with maybe a Zenfone or Xperia popping up. So, it seems like Nothing's picked a date that gives them the spotlight without too much competition.
But with the new information from Pei, postponing the Nothing Phone (3) launch to 2025, all of the above could change. It allows for a certain flexibility, too. Carl Pei could decide to jump the Galaxy S25 launch, or slot the phone wherever he likes. One thing is certain. We're in for a long wait.
Below you'll find a simple table with all Nothing models and their release schedule.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (1) | July 12, 2021 | July 16, 2021 |
| Nothing Phone (2) | July 11, 2023 | July 17, 2023 |
| Nothing Phone (3) | 2025* | 2025* |
* - probable dates
Nothing Phone 3 price
So, about the Nothing Phone (3) price tag... it's a bit of a mystery right now. We're kinda left to connect the dots from past releases. The original Nothing Phone never landed in the US and went for about $500, while the Nothing Phone (2) kicked off at $600. So, we're thinking we might see a similar starting point, but hey, don't be surprised if there's a little uptick.
Now, why the potential increase? Well, the economy's been a rollercoaster lately, with inflation nudging up prices of many top-notch phones last year and probably this year too. And if Carl Pei decides to hop on the AI train like everyone else, that could add a few extra bucks to the bill. We might be looking at somewhere around the $700 mark. Actually, there is one rumor to support this speculation. Sources close to Nothing have put out a rumor about a price bump for the Nothing Phone (3).
So, what's the takeaway? Well, it looks like the Nothing Phone (3) might be trying to squeeze into the affordable flagship zone judging by the expected price bump. But whether that actually pans out? Your guess is as good as ours.
Nothing Phone 128GB of storage 256GB of storage 512GB of storage Nothing Phone (1) ~$500 - - Nothing Phone (2) $599 $699 $799 Nothing Phone (3) $700* $800* $900*
* - anticipated prices
Nothing Phone 3 camera
What's the scoop? Well, we're still in the dark about specifics, but we've got some educated guesses. Both the Nothing Phone (1) and (2) rocked a dual camera setup on the back, so it's a good bet the Nothing Phone (3) will follow suit. Remember that slick 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor from the last model? Yeah, that one with phase-detect autofocus and optical image stabilization? Don't be surprised if it makes a comeback in the Nothing Phone (3).
Now, here's where it gets juicy. Rumor has it the Nothing Phone (3) might dive into Sony's latest LYTIA sensor lineup. These sensors have been popping in phones like the OnePlus 12 and Xiaomi 14 series, so there's a real chance we might see one of those in the Nothing Phone (3).
What about the zoom camera? Given the sleek design and reputation of the Nothing Phone brand, we're not expecting a dedicated periscope zoom camera in the Nothing Phone (3). It's more likely we'll see some clever sensor zoom cropping from the main camera, giving us a nice 2x magnification and some killer portrait shots.
Nothing Phone 3 storage
When it comes to the Nothing Phone (3) storage configuration, we need to again look back and extrapolate.
If we take a look at the original Nothing Phone and its sequel, we can spot a trend. They offered the usual trio of storage options - 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Now, whether the Nothing Phone (3) will stick to this lineup is still anyone's guess.
The base storage bar is creeping up beyond 128GB, but it's too early to say if the Nothing Phone (3) will kick off with 256GB as standard. Most likely, if Carl Pei wants to keep the "affordable" stamp firmly on the phone, we will most likely get a 128GB base storage variant.
Now, about that 1TB possibility. Considering the phone's midrange positioning, a 1TB version might be pushing it. But if Carl Pei decides to crank things up a notch and challenge the big guns, a 1TB Nothing Phone (3) could become a reality. But for now, it's mostly just speculation.
Nothing Phone 3 expectedstorage capacity:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
Nothing Phone 3 design
- Transparent back: The Nothing Phone 3 has been notoriously difficult to keep under wraps. Retaining a clear lineage to its predecessors, Nothing is expected to maintain the transparent back design for its upcoming flagship. The distinctive visual element, coupled with the likelihood of Glyph lights making a return, reinforces the company's commitment to unique aesthetics and customizable LED notifications.
- Glyph interface: The Glyph interface will probably appear once more on the back of the Nothing Phone (3), but we don't know the exact number of LEDs, zones or features. There's a strong possibility to see the interface further refined with different light patterns taking care of more notifications.
Nothing Phone 3 display
- Brightness bump: The Nothing Phone (2) witnessed significant enhancements in its display, and it appears that Nothing might continue this trend with the Nothing Phone (3). The existing model boasts a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 1600 nits, and HDR10+ support. Given the latest trend to post crazy brightness numbers, we expect Nothing to join the race and announce 2,000+ nits or something in that vicinity for the Nothing Phone (3).
- Higher refresh rate: The current generation Nothing Phone already has an LTPO 120Hz display, so there's no point in going higher, as this territories are reserved for gaming phones, such as the ROG Phone. We don't expect higher refresh rates on the Nothing Phone (3).
- Possible size change: Another trend in the industry is going for slightly larger displays this year (e.g. Galaxy S24 series), so we could see a slight bump in size. The Nothing Phone (3) could come equipped with a 6.8-inch screen but it's much more plausible it will retain the 6.7-inch panel from its predecessor.
Nothing Phone 3 battery
- Capacity increase: The Nothing Phone (2) comes with a 4,700mAh battery, which is rather low considering the size of the phone. We expect a bump in capacity, aiming at 5,000mAh but is could be on the small side, landing at 4,880mAh or something in that vicinity.
- Charging speed: The last generation Nothing supports 45W fast wired charging and 15W wireless. It's time for an increase, given the fact that most oversee phones sport much impressive numbers (65W, 80W, and some go to extremes with 100-120W).
- What It Means for You: More battery means more autonomy and faster charging means... well, faster charging and less time on the cable. We would love to see the Nothing Phone (3) lasting two full days and charging it's 5,000 mAh battery in less than one hours but all these are speculations right now.
Nothing Phone 3 features and software
- Stock Android: Nothing is all about blending style with substance, both in its hardware and software, steering clear of any unnecessary bloatware. When you look at the Nothing Phone (1), it's like a Pixel phone, just without some of the Pixel-exclusive features. Now, with the Nothing Phone (2), Carl Pei upped the game, introducing some pretty cool theming options. You can even give your home screen a sleek black-and-white look, and the lock screen widgets are a thoughtful touch. We expect the same stylish and sleek software to appear on the Nothing Phone (3).
- Seven years of software updates: This one is a bit tough. We know that Google and now Samsung offers seven whole years of major OS and security updates but for a company as small as Nothing, this would be hard and it might affect the price of the end product as well.
- Nothing AI: This year will be the year of AI. All the big players are introducing their own AI solutions, and we're certain that Nothing will do the same. Whether it will have a name and a separate slot on the announcement stage, or it will be baked inside the camera or UI, we don't know yet.
Nothing Phone 3hardware and specs
- Processor: Nothing normally uses one generation older processors, the Nothing Phone (2) comes with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 onboard, so it's safe to say that the Nothing Phone (3) won't be joining the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 bunch. It's more likely for us to get the Gen 2 version, which is not that bad. However, now that Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a more modes and efficient version of the Gen 3, and given the fact that sources close to Nothing have stated that the Nothing Phone (3) will receive a price bump and a faster processor, things are pointing toward the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
- RAM: We would probably get the usual 8GB base version, and a 12GB variants for the larger storage models. Do we need a 16GB version of the Nothing Phone (3)? Probably not, given how pricey that would be, and if the price jumps above the $1000 mark it will defeat everything Carl Pei wanted for the Nothing Phone to symbolize.
Should I wait for the Nothing Phone 3?
- You should wait for the Nothing Phone 3if you want to get something fresh and extraordinary without busting the bank. The transparent back along with the Glyph interface and the minimalistic user interface make this phone a unique choice.
- You should not wait for the Nothing Phone 3ifyou don't care for quirky looking phones and you're perfectly fine with an iPhone or a Galaxy. You can easily find a model in that price bracket.
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
