Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) are Definitely Different

DJURO SEN - EDITOR
11 Min Read

One of the biggest complaints about modern smartphones is … they are monotonous. Most are hard to tell apart because they’re just a generic slab of glass. They do the job but for many people they are less than inspiring. That’s where Nothing comes to the rescue with the release of its first true flagship smartphone – Phone (3).

“Tech has become boring; every phone looks the same, feels the same, does the same,” said Carl Pei, Nothing CEO.

“That’s why we took our time. After two years of focussed development, Phone (3) is our answer: a flagship built to make tech feel personal again. To spark creativity, reflect identity, and give people more control over how they connect and create. At Nothing, we don’t follow trends, we build with intention, and we build with our community.”

Nothing phones are different. Not really like anything else on the market. The question is; are they any good? I don’t know because I’ve never used one but hopefully over the coming weeks I can accurately inform you. So let’s look at the two products announced this week.

NOTHING PHONE (3)

DESIGN : The first, unmistakable thing you notice is the design. It’s futuristic and retro all in one package. It has a 6.67” flexible
AMOLED panel with 1.5K resolution and screen-to-body ratio of 92.89% Peak brightness up to 4500 nits (HDR) and 1600 nits (HMB) gives you plenty of punch in strong lighting conditions. The adaptive refresh rate is limited to 30-120 Hz while the 1000 Hz touch sampling ensures excellent responsiveness.

GLYPH MATRIX: No doubt, the coolest thing about Phone (3) is the all-new Glyph Matrix. It’s designed to reduce screen time and streamline how users receive key information. From app-specific alerts to contact-based notifications and real-time progress indicators, Glyph Matrix lets you stay informed at a glance, without getting pulled into endless scrolling. Glyph Toys, a playful extension of Glyph Matrix, bring quick tools and micro-games to the back of the phone. These include a Glyph Mirror, Digital Clock, Stopwatch, Batter Indicator, and Solar Clock, plus games like Spin the Bottle, all accessible and controlled through a dedicated button on the rear. Users can assign custom icons to contacts, showing pixelated avatars when messages arrive. 

CAMERAS: Like any flagship you’ll get three camera on the back and from what I’ve see already they are pretty impressive. Here’s the breakdown.

Main camera:

  • Resolution 50 MP
  • Aperture f/1.68
  • Sensor 1/1.3″
  • OIS & EIS Auto focus, 2×2 OCL PDAF 2x in-sensor zoom

Periscope camera:

  • Resolution 50 MP
  • Aperture f/2.68
  • Sensor 1/2.75”
  • OIS & EIS Autofocus, 3x optical zoom 6x in-sensor zoom 60x ultra zoom

Ultra-wide camera:

  • Resolution50 MP
  • Aperture f/2.2
  • Sensor 1/2.76”
  • 114° FOV

Front camera:

  • Resolution 50 MP
  • Aperture f/2.2
  • Sensor 1/2.76″
  • 81.2° FOV

TrueLens Engine 4:

Ultra XDR, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode, Macro Mode, Action Mode

Video recording:

  • Ultra XDR video recording at 60 / 30 FPS
  • 1080p Ultra XDR video recording at 60 / 30 FPS
  • Slo-mo at 1080p 240 / 120 FPS
  • Time lapse at 4K / 1080p

PROCESSOR: Driving the Nothing Phone (3) is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 ® Mobile Platform, crafted using advanced 4nm technology. It features an upgraded prime performance Qualcomm® Kryo™ CPU architecture and a cutting-edge Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU, delivering significant enhancements in multitasking, image processing, and graphics handling compared to Phone (2). Performance has improved with a 36% increase in CPU power, a 88% GPU upgrade, a 60% boost in AI-related task processing, and 125% faster in image recognition over Phone (2).

BATTERY: Phone (3) features Nothing’s largest battery to date. It’s a high-density 5150mAh silicon-carbon cell that Nothing says comfortably lasts beyond a full day. With 65W fast wired charging, it reaches 100 percent in 54 minutes. I also has 15W wireless charging.

Nothing guarantees 5 years of major Android updates and 7 years of security updates.

PHONE (3) PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Phone (3) will be available in black and white in two configurations.

12 GB + 256 GB – A$1509
16 GB + 512 GB – A$1689

Global pre-orders begin 4 July 2025 at nothing.tech. Australian customers can pre-order starting through Optus and JB HiFi with exciting launch offers.

Open sales starting 15 July 2025.

NOTHING HEADPHONE (1)

DESIGN: Just like their phones, the Nothing Headphone (1) is a another unique techno design that definitely stands out. Headphone (1) is Nothing’s first over-ear model which has been acoustically engineered in collaboration with audio innovator KEF. The have a flat, squared-off design that I really like. Again, they look futuristic and retro at the same time. A good match for the Phone (3).

“With Headphone (1), we set out to create something that doesn’t just sound great, it feels different the moment you pick it up,” said Adam Bates, Head of Design at Nothing. “From the tactile controls to the transparent construction, every detail is intentional. It’s a product that looks different, works differently, and invites people to connect with sound in a more expressive way.”

Featuring transparent elements, formed aluminium, precision CNC components, and PU memory foam, Headphone (1) is built for comfort and style. The lightweight ear cup combines aluminium and durable plastics for resilience, while the telescopic arms allow smooth adjustment. Oil-resistant ear cushions mould naturally to the listener’s head, reducing ear pressure and providing a secure, comfortable seal for all-day wear across a wide range of head shapes.

SOUND QUALITY: Nothing says the Headphone (1) is “designed for both audiophiles and everyday listeners”, which a tough group to please. Leveraging KEF’s acoustic engineering and proprietary tuning tools, the custom-built 40 mm
dynamic driver delivers rich, natural audio with deep bass, detailed mids, and crisp treble across all modes, including ANC, Transparency, and Spatial Audio. With on-device spatialisation and built-in head tracking, Headphone (1) transforms any
stereo source into a 360-degree soundstage that adapts in real time to the listener’s movement.

Support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, USB-C lossless playback, and a 3.5mm jack, means Headphone (1) should meet most audio demands – wired or wireless. A precision damping system and high-linearity suspension further minimises distortion so every track sounds exactly as the artist intended. Advanced Noise Cancellation and crystal-clear calls Featuring dual feedforward and feedback microphones, Headphone (1)’s real-time ANC dynamically adapts to changing environments, while Transparency Mode keeps users aware of their surroundings. A best-in-class 4-mic ENC system, powered by AI and trained on more than 28 million noise scenarios, ensures clear voice capture for calls in even the busiest environments.

CONTROLS: Headphone (1) moves away from dreaded touch controls, embracing tactile controls. Fantastic! The Roller, Paddle, and Buon provide a more precise and reliable way to adjust volume, navigate media, and switch ANC modes – without the guesswork or friction often associated with touch interfaces. By integrating these controls directly into the headphones, Headphone (1) prioritises usability and responsiveness and less frustration.

Personalised listening with Channel Hop and AI. At the centre of the experience is the Button, a customisable control in the Nothing X app. With a single press, users can activate Channel Hop: a quick-switch feature that cycles between recent audio apps and favourite functions without digging through menus or switching screens. It’s built for speed and convenience – perfect for jumping between music, podcasts, and voice notes while commuting, working, or exercising.

The Button can also be configured to trigger voice commands, launch News Reporter, or open Essential Space – a second memory designed to capture voice notes, reminders, and fleeting thoughts. Exclusive to Nothing devices, Essential Space helps users save
ideas as they come, without breaking focus.For deeper control, an 8-band Advanced EQ in the app lets users fine-tune their sound profile – beyond just bass and treble – to match their preferences.

BATTERY: Headphone (1) will last for 35 hours playing back content. A 5-minute charge will give you 2.4 hours of playback, all with ANC on.

CONNECTIVITY: Bluetooth 5.3, dual device connection, Fast Pair support and low-latency performance, means switching between devices is fast and seamless.

HEADPHONE (1) PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Headphone (1) will be available in black and white for A$549.

Australian customers can pre-order starting 2 July 2025 through Optus and JB HiFi with open sales starting 15 July 2025.

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Djuro is a multi award-winning technology reviewer and journalist. He's been tinkering with electronics since the 1970s. Djuro was Australia's first ever network TV News technology editor with Channel 7. Now he's editor of Image Matrix Tech and regular contributor to Sky News Australia - now going on six years, Djuro is an expert videographer, photographer and video editor.
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