Following an extensive series of leaks and teases, Nothing’s Phone 3 has finally been unveiled, introducing a potentially divisive new aesthetic. Unveiled at a London launch event on Tuesday, this eye-catching Android phone is priced at $799 and is touted as the company’s “first true flagship.” To justify its premium status, Nothing is highlighting a new triple camera system, a refreshed design, and a circular Glyph “Matrix” display that appears to be quite engaging.

The camera system is a key selling point for most flagship phones, and the Phone 3 includes three 50-megapixel sensors: main, ultrawide, and periscope zoom. The periscope zoom camera, which was also featured in the Phone 3a Pro, is a notable addition. Unlike the Phone 3a Pro, which was released prior to the Phone 3 and had a significant camera bump, the Phone 3’s periscope camera does not protrude as much. For those unfamiliar with periscope cameras, they offer impressive zoom capabilities, with up to 6x lossless zoom or 60x zoom with AI assistance.

Although I haven’t had hands-on experience with the Phone 3, my initial concern is the misaligned periscope camera, which may appear somewhat odd on the phone’s back. While this might bother some users, others may not be as concerned, especially if the camera system performs well for the price. The design eccentricities can be overlooked if the phone’s camera delivers.

Beyond the camera, the most notable feature is the Glyph Interface, now rebranded as the Glyph Matrix, which is essentially a dot matrix display at the top-right of the phone. This feature appears to be a fun gimmick, similar to the Glyph Interface found on the Phone 1 and 2. According to Nothing, the Glyph Matrix is composed of 489 individually firing LEDs and can display various information, including caller ID, volume levels, and camera countdown. It also supports regular timers, a solar clock, and a couple of fun games like rock, paper, scissors, and spin the bottle. A dedicated Glyph Button on the back of the phone allows users to cycle through these functions. Nothing has also announced plans to open up SDKs to developers, potentially expanding the use of the Glyph Matrix in the future.

The Phone 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 processor, which is almost flagship-level. This chip is also found in phones like Poco’s F7 5G and Xiaomi’s Redmi Turbo 4 Pro. While the processor is a step up from the ones used in the Phone 3a and 3a Pro, the difference may not be noticeable for most users, except for hardcore mobile gamers. Phone chips have reached a point where, unless you’re a heavy user, the latest generation may not be crucial. I use an iPhone 13 daily, and it still functions adequately. I assume the Phone 3 will have a similar experience, but I won’t know for sure until I try it.

Phone (3) is here. Come to Play.

Pre-order yours. 4 July. pic.twitter.com/k92AZBO7lf

— Nothing (@nothing) Source Link