Nothing • Phone (3)
Today feels like a turning point. I’ve danced around Android before, mainly out of curiosity, but the Nothing Phone 3 might be the first one to make the switch stick.
As someone who lives deep in the Apple ecosystem, that’s not something I say lightly.
I’ve been tracking Nothing for a while now. Yes, even that CMF phone. But this one? This one feels different. This one feels right.
The First Real Flagship?
Nothing is calling this their first flagship. Debate that if you want, but it definitely feels like their most complete and confident phone yet.
Let’s start with the packaging. It’s this super minimal, flat square box. Something about that just feels intentional. Like, what other smartphone is doing that right now? It sets the tone immediately.
Inside, you get:
The phone (obviously)
A clear case (huge win, more on that in a second)
A nice semi-transparent USB-C cable
SIM tool and minimal paperwork
It’s subtle, clean, and very on-brand for Nothing. The inclusion of a case, even if it’s a cheap one, shows care. And leaving it clear? That’s smart. It lets the phone’s back design shine through.
That Design… Yeah, It’s That Good
Let’s talk about the back of the phone. I know this is going to ruin it for some of you, but I see a little face on the back. Eyes, mouth, nose, once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Sorry not sorry.
Jokes aside, this might be the most visually striking phone of the year. The white version I picked up really shows off Nothing’s design language. The aluminum rails feel premium. It’s thicker than you might expect, but it feels balanced and intentional in the hand.
The camera design is interesting. Instead of a raised bump with a secondary bump like on iPhones, Nothing just lets the cameras protrude straight from the flat back. Bold move, and it actually works.
Oh, and all the cameras (rear and front) are 50MP. That’s just… wild.
A New Kind of Glyph
There’s been chatter about the new glyph setup, technically called the Glyph Matrix. Some folks are bummed that the old blinking lights are gone, but honestly? I think this is a major upgrade.
It’s not just lights anymore. It’s data. The capacitive touch panel gives you actual functionality without turning the screen on. You can assign contacts, see if your wife is calling or texting based on glyph patterns, and interact with essential info. And no, it’s not a screen. You won’t be doom-scrolling Twitter back here. That’s the point.
Plus, there’s a dedicated Essential Spaces button that gives you quick access to this new layer of minimal functionality. I’d love to see Nothing build a web app version of it though. Make it easier to sync with desktop workflows.
It Just Feels Right
The build quality here is next level. The phone has a solid weight to it. The matte aluminum, the thoughtful design language, the clean lines, it’s all here.
Even the haptics feel upgraded. One of my biggest complaints about earlier Nothing and CMF devices was how muddy and cheap the typing felt. That’s gone. This feels refined.
And yes, I’m leaving the included screen protector on. Who has time for bubbles and dust?
A Quick Word on Setup
I didn’t dive deep into Nothing OS here (that’s coming later), but initial setup was smooth. The Glyph Matrix has fun little Easter eggs like a spinning bottle or a digital clock. It’s playful and clean.
There’s something about flipping the phone over and still having useful functionality without needing to wake the screen. It’s weirdly refreshing.
So, Am I Switching?
Look, I’m not saying I’ve left the iPhone forever. But for the first time in years, I want to use something else. The Nothing Phone 3 has every feature I need to confidently make the jump. Solid hardware, playful software, incredible design. It’s all here.
I’m genuinely excited to test this more in daily life. To really push it, see how it handles my workflows, my messages, my calls, my weird obsession with Do Not Disturb. All of it.
And yeah, I’ll be making more videos about this thing. I’ve also got Nothing’s new headphones and the surprise Nothing Ears they sent me (still unsure if that was a mistake or marketing magic). So stay tuned.
