We know nothing about the involvement of its community, which has a real influence on the way the next generation of smartphones from the young company is shaped. But given the hype generated by the brand, expectations are high.
While the Phone (2) of 2022 was an improved version of the Phone (1), it had a very similar design and camera and it looked almost identical in everyday use. It has also become much more expensive.
Could the latter be repeated on the next Phone (3)? Here’s everything we know so far.
It’s certainly possible. However, the arrival of the budget Phone (2a) may indicate that the Phone (3) will be an even better flagship than its predecessor.
When will the Nothing Phone (3) be released?
At this point, we have no official information on a release date. However, looking at the launch dates of previous generations, we can get a good idea:
If nothing changes compared to previous years, the Phone (3) should arrive in July 2024.
Nothing will appear in Barcelona on February 27, but not at the main headquarters of the MWC (Mobile World Congress). Given that the new Phone (2a) is confirmed to launch on March 5, it will likely be the main theme of the event, although it is possible that the Phone (3) will be mentioned.
At MWC 2023, Nothing confirmed that the phone (2) would use a Snapdragon 8 series chipset, which turned out to be the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Hopefully we’ll hear something similar about the phone (3) This year.
How much will the Nothing Phone (3) cost?
Prices for previous models during their initial launches were as follows:
The phone (1) was one of the best mid-range phones of 2022, with price being a big factor. Its successor, the Phone (2), raised the bar by including a flagship chipset, hence the price hike, even though it wasn’t the latest or greatest at the time of its launch.
If Nothing decides to once again use a more powerful flagship chipset such as the recently announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the price of the phone (3) could increase further.
What specifications and features will the Nothing Phone (3) have?
At this point, there is no information on what specifications the phone might have (3). However, that doesn’t stop us from theorizing a little about what could be improved over its predecessor.
Previously, the Nothing Phone had compromised on build quality in order to meet its price point. With the third iteration, we hope to see improvements in terms of protection and durability. Adopting newer glass technology, possibly the rugged Gorilla Glass Victus, could further improve the overall build quality of the device.
A notable improvement could also be made to the water and dust resistance of the device. The phone’s IP54 rating (2) is lower than the more common IP68 rating seen in flagship smartphones. Raising it to at least IP68 would allow the phone (3) to comply with industry standards.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Despite having a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, we had some concerns about operating system slowdown and freezes during our review of the phone (2).
The Nothing Phone (3) could solve this problem by considering an upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powers many 2023 flagships. Or it could go all out and opt for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which would allow it to to compete with the best Android phones in terms of performance.
However, diversifying the Phone (3) from its predecessors could appeal to a wider audience. Introducing it as a premium model after adding a new budget phone (2a) would allow customers to choose the phone that best suits their budget.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Building on the progress made with the Telephone (2), software improvement remains essential. The Glyph interface features, while innovative, require practical improvement. Continued efforts to attract third-party support for Glyph’s features could significantly broaden its appeal.
The Glyph interface has the potential to become a key selling point of the phone (3). Exploring innovative uses, such as creating a universal standard for broader applications and working with major retailers for unique Glyph features, could make this a compelling reason to buy the phone.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
An upgrade to the camera setup would also be welcome. In particular, introducing a better main rear lens and fixing issues with ultra-wide. Low-light performance, color reproduction, and shutter lag reduction should also be priorities for the phone (3).
Ultimately, improving sound quality and internal speakers would contribute to a more satisfying audio experience, even for those who primarily use Bluetooth headphones. Nothing can have its own Ear (2) headphones, but you don’t want to have to use them all the time.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
While we eagerly await the phone’s unveiling (3), these are just our best guesses on its potential specs. What Nothing does next with its smartphones remains to be seen, but expectations are high.
We will update this article once again when the phone is revealed (3). In the meantime, take a look at our picks of today’s best Android phones and best mid-range phones to see what else is out there.