Nothing Phone 3 surprises with bold price and mid-tier chip

The Nothing Phone 3 officially launched on July 1, drawing massive attention not just for its features, but for its hefty price tag. At ₹79,999 for the base model (12GB RAM + 256GB storage), this marks Nothing’s most expensive smartphone yet. However, the buzz isn’t all positive. Tech enthusiasts and social media users are questioning whether the device justifies its cost especially considering it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, not Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line chip.

Nothing, founded by former OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, gained early popularity with its unique design language. Transparent backs, LED glyphs, and minimalist aesthetics made the first two phones stand out. But with the Phone 3, the company seems to be taking a slightly different approach visually and internally.

New Glyph Matrix: Aesthetic innovation or unnecessary gimmick?

The Nothing Phone 3 has ditched the signature Glyph LED strips that made earlier models iconic. Instead, the brand introduces the Glyph Matrix, a dot-matrix style notification system on the back of the phone. This animated matrix can display personalized patterns, notifications, and even respond to certain inputs. It adds flair to the device, but whether it offers practical day-to-day utility is still up for debate.

At a launch event in London, Nothing showcased how this matrix aims to improve user interaction replacing simple blinking lights with a more nuanced, customizable display. While it does look futuristic and aligns with Nothing’s “different by design” approach, some critics argue that the brand might be focusing too much on aesthetics over performance.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: Is it enough for a flagship price?

One of the main points of contention with the Nothing Phone 3 is its processor. While Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a solid and efficient chip, it isn’t Qualcomm’s flagship. Devices with this same processor are available at half the price. Phones from brands like iQOO and Xiaomi also use the 8s Gen 4 and offer comparable performance but with pricing closer to ₹35,000–₹40,000.

Buyers expecting flagship-grade internals like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite were left disappointed, especially when paying close to ₹80,000. Given the competition, the performance-to-price ratio is now a major discussion point online.

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Alternatives offering better value

For those prioritizing raw performance over aesthetics or brand identity, there are better value options out there. Devices like:

• iQOO Neo 9 Pro
• Xiaomi 14 Civi
• Realme GT 6 (China variant, not yet in India)

all offer the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and impressive specs but at much lower price points. While they may lack Nothing’s unique design flair, they certainly deliver on performance, battery life, and display quality without burning a hole in your wallet.

Conclusion:

Does the Nothing Phone 3 deliver enough? The Nothing Phone 3 undoubtedly brings a fresh take to smartphone design with the new Glyph Matrix and a clean UI experience. But whether it truly qualifies as a flagship device is being heavily debated. With performance similar to mid-range models and pricing that touches premium territory, many are questioning if you’re paying for innovation or just a brand.