Nothing’s First True Flagship is Here : Phone (3) Launch Confirmed for this July

 

The next chapter in Nothing's story is about to start. The tech company, famous for its design-oriented hardware and shocking advertising stunts, has officially announced that its most ambitious phone to date "the Nothing Phone (3)" will launch in July 2025 in India. The reveal comes just days after CEO Carl Pei gave a short teaser at The Android Show, when he referred to the new device as Nothing's "true" flagship.

For a brand that's established its reputation on clean lines and middle-premium pricing, the Phone (3) represents a radical departure. With focus on upper-end materials, smooth software experience, and feature focus on performance, Nothing seems poised to take on industry giants head-to-head.

Premium Ambitions

Nothing is making the Phone (3) more of an upgrade than its predecessors, the Phone (1) and Phone (2). The firm has hinted that the new device will come with a new look based on high-end materials, better internal design, and software optimized for efficiency. These are expected to appeal to both technology enthusiasts and performance-oriented consumers, such as mobile gamers.

The change in positioning is also visible in the predicted price. Carl Pei recently hinted at a worldwide price of approximately EUR 800, which translates to about INR 90,500. But keeping last year's pricing trends in mind in India, industry insiders feel that the Phone (3) might start selling between INR 55,000 and INR 65,000, directly competing with products such as the Pixel 9a, iPhone 16e, and OnePlus 13.

Performance Engineered for Power Users

The core of the Phone (3) is expected to be a top-of-the-line Qualcomm chipset. Although Nothing has not officially announced the model, the current speculation is that the company would be using the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 or the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. This would be a big jump from the Phone (2), which is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

For gamers and performance enthusiasts on the move, this update would translate to improved thermal performance, quicker load times, and enablement of cutting-edge features such as real-time AI processing and gaming-optimised features.

 

Camera Overhaul and Larger Battery

Based on recent leaks and a GSM database listing under the model number A024, the Phone (3) will feature a triple-camera setup, which will include a periscope-style telephoto lens. That would be something new for the brand, which has hitherto depended on dual-camera setups. The current Phone (2), for example, features a 50 MP Sony IMX890 sensor and a 50 MP Samsung JN1.

A periscope lens might enable more diverse photography, such as improved zoom functionality and nighttime capture, further bringing the Phone (3) in line with high-end standards from premium Android competitors.

Battery life is also receiving a small improvement. The Phone (3) boasts a battery capacity just over 5,000 mAh, an upgrade from the 4,700 mAh cell in the Phone (2).That's a change that, along with some software optimization and more power-efficient hardware,could bring noticeable increases in endurance, particularly under heavy use like gaming and for video streaming.

 

Software, AI and Android 15

The handset will be shipping with Android 15 pre-installed, although Android 16 is expected to be released shortly afterwards. This might be a strategic decision aimed at stability and performance over going with cutting-edge software out of the gate.

With the recent industry standards, Phone (3) will probably be heavily focused on AI-based features. Nothing has ever prioritized AI so extensively as one of its pillars for future software development. This could encompass on-device improvements to photography, real-time translation, predictive performance optimization, and increased user personalisation.

 

Can Nothing Deliver at the Flagship Level?

The Phone (3) is not simply another entry into a saturated market. It's a savvy repositioning for a company that has successfully ridden so far on sexy design and quirky marketing, but has yet to really dip its toes into the waters of the flagship class.

With the promise of silicon-on-insulator, a better camera system, and a more polished software experience, the Phone (3) has all the ingredients to compete. But its success will ultimately depend on whether Nothing does enough premium pricing balancing with real-world value — especially in a market like India, where expectations are high and competition is intense.

Stay tuned for more details about the Nothing Phone 3 as we approach its official launch in July 2025.