Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Carl Pei was not content with just making history once with OnePlus. In early 2021, he announced the launch of a new company called Nothing. While the initial Nothing Phone showed potential, the Nothing Phone 2 was a much more refined effort, leaving me feeling positive about the company’s future.
However, there are certain aspects I hope to see addressed with the Nothing Phone 3. Here is my wishlist, along with the limited information available about the device so far. Nothing needs to work on improving its durability and appeal as a top-tier flagship.
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The Nothing Phone still remains somewhat of a mystery. Is it intended for power users, gamers, value users, or spec enthusiasts? It appears to cater to all of these groups, but only to a certain extent. While it certainly delivers strong performance, it also makes compromises in various areas, including build materials and the camera package. Based on our readers’ interests and my own, it seems that the Nothing brand is appealing to individuals seeking raw power and a distinctive look. Typically, this type of user is willing to pay a premium for such an experience, making an upgrade to a more top-tier experience potentially well-received. This upgrade should begin with improving protection and durability.
The Nothing Phone 2 is currently rated at just IP54, which is less impressive than the more common IP68 rating. For the Nothing Phone 3, I would like to see the brand address this limitation while also upgrading to newer glass technology. The Gorilla Glass 5 on Nothing’s current flagship is starting to show its age, especially considering that Gorilla Glass Victus has become the new gold standard for top-tier phones. Nothing could benefit from pushing further upscale while also introducing a budget option.
Kris Carlon / Android Authority
The main complaint about the original Nothing Phone was that it was underpowered, a concern that was partially addressed with the Nothing Phone 2. However, there is still room for improvement. Despite featuring a potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, the Nothing Phone 3 appears to throttle its GPU more aggressively than phones with similar specifications. While the absolute best Qualcomm chip might not be necessary, refining the user experience to ensure performance matches that of phones in the same price range is crucial. At the very least, including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Nothing Phone 3 should be a priority, especially considering that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to set a new standard by then.
Nothing could also benefit from adopting a strategy similar to the Galaxy S23 or even the Pixel 8, introducing more than one model to the Nothing Phone 3 series. Perhaps offering a more premium model that competes directly with the best Android phones, regardless of the price. Meanwhile, it could also offer a cheaper phone model that falls between the Nothing Phone 1 and 2 in terms of specs and pricing. While this approach may involve a larger investment and higher risk for Nothing, it would broaden the device’s appeal to a wider range of users. The Nothing Phone 3 needs a much better camera experience.
Damien Wilde / Android Authority
Not all power users prioritize having the best camera, but it remains an important consideration. Unfortunately, Nothing has been relatively conservative with its camera setups. The Nothing Phone 2 featured a nearly identical mediocre camera suite to its predecessor, with the main sensor being upgraded to the IMX890. While an upgrade, it wasn’t as substantial as one might hope. Currently, the Nothing Phone 2 performs adequately in good lighting conditions, and even its low-light images are acceptable. However, its colors tend to be overly contrast-heavy, occasionally bleeding into other objects and surfaces. Additionally, it exhibits a noticeable shutter lag compared to other phones like the Pixel 7 Pro. While the main shooter generally does a satisfactory job, the primary issue lies with the Samsung JN1 used for its ultrawide camera. This sensor produces muddy textures and halo effects, despite the company’s efforts to enhance the experience with software updates. Even if Nothing decides to retain the IMX890, it should consider replacing the JN1 with a more modern sensor. Another significant concern is the selfie shooter. While it performs adequately, its limitation to 1080p seems like a major oversight in today’s world of bloggers and TikTok users. It is hoped that the Nothing Phone 3 will offer true 4K performance for video recording, addressing this apparent limitation.
Improved speakers
Damien Wilde / Android Authority
Okay, this is a relatively minor point compared to all the others, but I’d like to see an improved sound experience with the Nothing Phone 3. The Nothing Phone 2 has a somewhat tinny sound quality to it. While many of us use Bluetooth earbuds for mobile audio, having a set of good internal speakers is still appreciated when you want to quickly show someone something on your phone.
Verizon support
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Another small point for those in the United States is the lack of Verizon support. This likely comes down to Verizon’s strict certification processes rather than a true lack of capability. The reality is Verizon is no longer a CDMA carrier, which used to be the main issue. Now it’s often possible to get unsupported phones to work with Verizon, though their actual performance may vary. If Nothing wants to seek wider appeal in the US market, adding official Verizon support would be an easy way to do it. Verizon is also no stranger to partnering with carriers for exclusive additions that play nicer with their network.
Greater third-party support for the Glyph
The Nothing Phone 2 made significant strides on the software front, transforming the user experience into something more polished and refined. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly when it comes to the Glyph, which, in my view, remains more of a gimmick than a true game-changer. To truly elevate the Glyph’s standing, Nothing must attract third-party support. Unfortunately, Nothing hasn’t had very good luck here. Its third-party dealings have either been very limited, like in the case of Uber, or a bit ill-advised, like its collaboration with Sunbird for Nothing Chats. What holds Nothing back is that developers are often leary to work on such devices as they’ll only support the very small niche market of Nothing Phone owners. That’s not an easy problem to overcome without throwing around money. That’s something a newer company really can’t afford to do. Even if Nothing manages to secure more app support for customized notifications and Glyph usage, it might not be enough. The company needs to explore innovative ways to use it first, which is a tall order. For example, envision a scenario where Nothing creates a free universal standard, enabling Nothing Phone users to use their device as a buzzer replacement in restaurants or retail establishments. Collaborating with major retailers and chain restaurants to implement such a feature could be a strategic move. That’s just one half-baked idea, but the point is the more places the Glyph can be used the more it will prove itself as a legitimate feature.
Will there be a Nothing Phone 3?
Cameo Scott Brown / Android Authority
Nothing Phone — July 21, 2022
Nothing Phone 2 — July 17, 2023
There have yet to be any early leaks or rumors on the Nothing Phone 3, but…