Nothing, the tech startup led by Carl Pei, has rapidly gained a cult following for its bold design language, clean Android experience, and unique focus on innovation. With the release of the Nothing Phone 3, the brand aims to refine and evolve its smartphone philosophy, building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, the Nothing Phone 2.
While both phones share the brand’s iconic transparent aesthetic and Glyph interface, there are several important differences in performance, features, software, and user experience. In this in-depth comparison, we examine every detail of the Nothing Phone 3 and Phone 2 to help you decide which one truly stands out.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Design Philosophy and Build Quality
The design has always been at the core of Nothing’s identity, and with the Phone 3, the brand has pushed the boundaries of industrial design even further. While the Nothing Phone 2 introduced a curvier and more ergonomic design over the first-generation model, the Phone 3 embraces an even more refined and lightweight chassis.
Nothing Phone 3 features a slimmer profile with a slightly smaller footprint, making it more comfortable for one-handed use. The back remains transparent but now features a smoother, satin matte finish that resists fingerprints better than the glossy rear panel of the Phone 2.
Both phones use aluminum frames, but the Phone 3 switches to recycled aerospace-grade aluminum, improving durability while being more environmentally friendly. The redesigned Glyph interface in Phone 3 is now modular and context-aware, with new zones that respond more intelligently to notifications, calls, and app functions.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Display Experience: Subtle Yet Meaningful Enhancements
The Nothing Phone 2 features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 1600 nits. It offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility. It’s a display that rivaled many flagship phones when it launched.
The Nothing Phone 3 keeps the same size and resolution but boosts the peak brightness to 2400 nits. This significant improvement enhances visibility in harsh sunlight and makes HDR content even more immersive. The touch response has also been refined, particularly for gaming and fast scrolling.
The bezels on Phone 3 have been trimmed down slightly, leading to a better screen-to-body ratio. Nothing has also improved the display calibration with more accurate colors, and a True Tone-like ambient color adjustment has been added to adapt the display’s warmth based on your environment.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 2 came equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor—a flagship-tier chipset that delivered excellent performance and energy efficiency. Apps launched quickly, games ran smoothly, and multitasking was effortless. However, it was still a last-gen chipset when the phone launched.
The Nothing Phone 3 features the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a more advanced and efficient chipset based on a 4nm process. It delivers improved CPU and GPU performance, with better thermal efficiency and longer sustained peak performance during heavy usage.
In benchmark comparisons, the Phone 3 edges out the Phone 2 by around 15–20% in overall performance, particularly in gaming and AI-based tasks. It also comes with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, making app loading, multitasking, and large file transfers much faster and more fluid.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Software Experience: Nothing OS 3.0 Brings Big Changes
The Nothing Phone 2 shipped with Nothing OS 2.0, which focused on minimalism, monochrome icons, and a near-stock Android experience with added customization features. It was fast, bloat-free, and well-optimized.
The Nothing Phone 3 introduces Nothing OS 3.0, a more ambitious software overhaul that retains the purity of stock Android but adds new smart features like intelligent app suggestions, deeper Glyph integration, and customizable widgets. App animations have been smoothed out, and there’s a new dashboard that consolidates notifications, media controls, and device status into one glanceable screen.
One of the key highlights is the Glyph SDK 2.0, allowing third-party apps to utilize the Glyph interface for notifications, in-app functions, and real-time interactions like food delivery updates or rideshare status.
Both devices offer three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, ensuring a long-lasting and secure experience.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Camera Systems: Evolution over Revolution
The Nothing Phone 2 came with a dual-camera system on the rear, featuring a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide Samsung JN1 sensor. It produced sharp, natural-looking photos with good dynamic range and excellent color reproduction in daylight. Low-light performance was improved compared to Phone 1 but still left room for growth.
The Nothing Phone 3 upgrades the primary sensor to a custom Sony IMX903 50MP sensor, which features a larger aperture and multi-directional PDAF for faster, more accurate focusing. The ultra-wide camera remains similar in specs but now includes macro capabilities within the same lens, eliminating the need for a dedicated macro sensor.
Image quality sees noticeable gains, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Night Mode is smarter, reducing noise while preserving detail and minimizing over-sharpening. HDR performance has also improved with better highlight and shadow balance.
Video capabilities have been enhanced with 4K 60fps recording on both front and rear cameras, along with new cinematic stabilization, real-time LUT filters, and support for Dolby Vision on the Phone 3.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Battery Life and Charging Speeds: Efficiency Meets Speed
Battery capacity on both phones remains at 4700mAh, but optimizations in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Nothing OS 3.0 allow the Phone 3 to deliver up to 1.5 hours more screen-on time compared to the Phone 2 under similar usage patterns.
The Nothing Phone 2 supported 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. It could charge to 50% in around 20 minutes and reach full charge in about 55 minutes.
The Phone 3 retains the same 45W wired charging but now supports Qi2 wireless charging, offering up to 20W wireless speeds with compatible accessories. This makes it one of the few mid-range phones to support the new magnetic wireless charging standard.
Reverse wireless charging remains at 5W for accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Connectivity and Audio: Future-Ready Features
Both the Nothing Phone 2 and Phone 3 support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. However, the Phone 3 introduces Wi-Fi 7 readiness, making it more future-proof for users upgrading their routers.
In terms of audio, the Phone 2 featured dual stereo speakers with spatial sound, offering clear and balanced output. The Phone 3 improves on this with larger speaker chambers and an enhanced audio algorithm, producing richer sound with better bass response and stereo separation.
The under-display fingerprint sensor remains fast and reliable on both phones, though the Phone 3 offers slightly better haptic feedback thanks to a refined X-axis vibration motor.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Pricing and Value Proposition
The Nothing Phone 2 launched at ₹44,999 in India and around $599 in global markets for the base variant. It was praised for offering a flagship-grade experience at a more accessible price.
The Nothing Phone 3 is priced slightly higher, starting at ₹49,999 or $649. While the price increase may raise eyebrows, the phone does offer better hardware, a brighter display, enhanced cameras, and longer software support.
Both devices are great values, but the Phone 2 may become more affordable in the second-hand market, while the Phone 3 appeals to users who want the latest features and better longevity.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Glyph Interface: From Gimmick to Utility
The Glyph interface debuted as a visual notification system with the Phone 1. With Phone 2, it became smarter, offering personalized ringtones, app-specific notifications, and scheduling options.
In the Nothing Phone 3, Glyph becomes modular and contextual. The lights adapt to your usage—like filling up while charging, pulsing during voice recording, or showing delivery progress for supported apps. The new Glyph Timer can float across apps, letting users track time with just a glance.
With the Glyph SDK now open to developers, expect more meaningful integrations going forward.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Nothing has continued its focus on sustainability. While the Phone 2 already used recycled materials for its frame and packaging, the Phone 3 expands on this with over 80% of its aluminum sourced from post-consumer waste and a 100% plastic-free box.
The production process has been optimized to reduce carbon emissions, and Nothing has partnered with e-waste organizations to help users recycle their old devices responsibly.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Final Verdict: Which Phone Is Right for You?
Choosing between the Nothing Phone 3 and Nothing Phone 2 depends largely on what you value most. The Phone 3 is undoubtedly more polished, with performance enhancements, brighter visuals, refined cameras, smarter software, and future-ready features like Qi2 and Wi-Fi 7.
However, the Phone 2 still holds strong in 2025, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. It delivers a near-flagship experience with excellent software, a unique design, and smooth performance that will satisfy most users.
If you already own the Phone 2, upgrading to the Phone 3 makes sense if you’re a power user, heavy gamer, or photography enthusiast who wants the latest enhancements. For new buyers, the Phone 3 is the more complete and future-proof option—especially considering its improved AI, faster software support, and upgraded charging.
Nothing Phone 3 vs Nothing Phone 2: Conclusion: Nothing’s Best Yet?
The Nothing Phone 3 represents the brand’s most refined product to date. It takes the originality of the Phone 1 and the power of the Phone 2, and builds a more intelligent, efficient, and versatile device. With a clean Android experience, unique design, and thoughtful innovation, Nothing continues to challenge the norms of modern smartphone design—and delivers a product that stands out in a sea of sameness.
Whether you pick the Nothing Phone 2 or the Nothing Phone 3, one thing is clear: Nothing is building something meaningful in the world of smartphones.