Highlights
- Nothing Phone 3 brings a bold design with practical upgrades like the Glyph Matrix and IP68 rating.
- It offers flagship-level performance and clean Android experience at a more reasonable price.
- Strong camera system, fast charging, and long-term software support make it a solid alternative to iPhone and Galaxy flagships.
Look, not everyone wants to spend over ₹1 lakh for a phone. Most people just want something that works well, lasts a day, takes decent photos, and doesn’t feel outdated in a year. That’s why the base models—iPhone 16, Galaxy S25, and now, the Nothing Phone 3—make more sense to compare.
Nothing’s trying something different. It’s not trying to beat Apple or Samsung at their own game, but it’s trying to give you a proper flagship experience without extra fluff. So here’s what I noticed after trying all three.
Nothing Phone 3 – A Straightforward Look
Design and Build Quality
If you’re bored of phones looking the same every year, the Nothing Phone 3 is refreshing. The transparent back and those Glyph lights might look flashy at first, but they actually help. You can see charging status or call alerts without touching the screen. It feels sturdy too, with Gorilla Glass and IP68 rating.
The iPhone 16 feels premium—as expected. It’s the same metal and glass sandwich Apple’s been using for a while, but it still feels solid. The S25? It looks like last year’s Samsung. Nothing new, but no complaints either.
Display
All three displays are good. You get 120 Hz refresh on each. Nothing Phone 3 has a slightly larger 6.67-inch screen. Colors are sharp, and it handles brightness well. iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch screen is more compact and tuned for accuracy. Samsung’s 6.36-inch AMOLED is vibrant as usual, especially for watching videos.
In real life, you won’t notice big differences unless you’re comparing side by side. Most users will be happy with any of them.
Performance
Now, here’s where things split a bit. The Nothing Phone 3 runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. Not the most powerful chip this year, but it’s close enough. It’s fast, stays cool, and handles games like BGMI or Asphalt without lag.
The iPhone 16 uses the A18 chip, and yeah, it’s quicker, no question. But honestly, how often do you max out a phone’s power in daily use? The S25 has the top Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which is faster than Nothing’s chip. But again, for normal tasks, they all feel snappy.
Cameras
Nothing gave the Phone 3 a triple rear cam setup—all 50MP: main, ultra-wide, and a 3x telephoto. There’s also a 50MP front camera. That sounds great, and yeah, it delivers sharp photos in good light.
Apple went with a dual cam again. It’s simple, but the processing is excellent. Photos just look balanced. Samsung added its usual triple setup with strong zoom.
If you’re shooting photos for Instagram or casual snaps, all three will do the job. But if you’re into night shots or consistent colors, the iPhone still leads. Nothing’s camera is better than expected but not perfect.
Battery Life & Charging
Here’s where the Nothing Phone 3 surprised me. The 5,500mAh battery (in India) easily got me through a full day with heavy use. Charging is fast too—65W wired means you don’t need to leave it plugged in forever. It also supports 15W wireless.
iPhone 16’s battery is smaller—around 3,500mAh—and charges slower (27W wired). The Galaxy S25 has a 4,700mAh battery with 45W wired charging.
If battery life matters to you, Nothing wins. It just lasts longer and charges quicker.
Software & Updates
Nothing OS 3.5 is close to stock Android, and that’s a good thing. No bloat, no weird skins. The Glyph lights also work with the software nicely.
Samsung’s One UI is packed with features but can feel heavy sometimes. Apple’s iOS 18? Same old smoothness and polish, especially if you’re already in the Apple world.
All three brands now promise decent update timelines. Nothing says five years of Android updates and seven years of security, which is right there with Apple. Samsung offers four years of major updates and five years of security patches.
Quick Specs Comparison
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Transparent back + Glyph | Metal & glass | Glass and metal |
| Display | 6.67″ OLED, 1.5K, 120Hz | 6.1″ OLED, 1290p, 120Hz | 6.36″ AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Apple A18 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB/256GB | 6GB/128GB | 8GB/256GB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP x3 (main, wide, zoom) | 48MP + UW | 50MP + UW + Tele |
| Front Camera | 50MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 5500mAh (IN) | ~3561mAh | ~4700mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired, 15W wireless | 27W wired | 45W wired |
| OS | Android 15 (Nothing OS) | iOS 18 | Android 15 (One UI) |
| Updates | 5 yrs Android, 7 yrs security | 5–6 yrs | 4 yrs OS, 5 yrs security |
| Price | ₹79,999 / $799 | ~$799 | ~$799 |
Wrapping It All
So here’s the deal—if you want something different and clean, Nothing Phone 3 actually holds its ground. It won’t beat Apple or Samsung in every area, but it gives you a solid, fast phone with great battery life and a unique design.
If you care about brand trust and better cameras, Apple or Samsung are still safe picks. But if you’re open to something new and just want a reliable phone that gets the job done—Nothing Phone 3 is worth a look.
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