For two years, the tech world held its breath. Since the launch of the critically acclaimed Phone (2) in July 2023, fans of Nothing—Carl Pei’s rebellious tech startup—eagerly awaited its successor. Rumors swirled: Would Phone (3) feature radical transparent design upgrades? A revolutionary camera? Instead, its belated arrival has left enthusiasts puzzled. The device, unveiled this week, defies expectations—and not entirely in a good way.
The Two-Year Mystery
Industry insiders point to three factors behind the delay: supply chain disruptions, overambitious software pivots, and internal creative clashes. Sources close to Nothing reveal that early prototypes of Phone (3) leaned heavily into AI-driven hardware, including a dedicated co-processor for real-time language translation and generative imaging. But when early tests faced overheating and battery drain, the team scrapped the concept in late 2024—resetting the clock.
Meanwhile, Nothing’s signature "Glyph Interface"—the LED light system on the phone’s back—became a battleground. Engineers pushed to expand its functionality (think: scrolling notifications and music visualization), while designers argued for minimalism. The compromise? A slightly larger glyph array with underwhelming software integration. As one leaker tweeted: "It’s Phone (2) Part II—not the revolution we sketched."
Where’s the Innovation?
The Phone (3)’s specs sheet tells the story of caution over courage:
- Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as its predecessor (now two generations behind rivals)
- Marginal camera upgrades: A 50MP main sensor with "enhanced computational photography" (read: software tweaks)
- Battery life stuck at 4,700mAh—no improvement despite larger size
- Design: Thicker bezels and a 6.7-inch screen identical to Phone (2)’s
Critics argue Nothing played it safe to cut costs amid economic headwinds. Yet the phone’s $699 price tag remains unchanged, putting it in direct competition with Google’s Pixel 8 and Samsung’s Galaxy A55—both offering superior AI features.
WATCH: Early Hands-On Review Highlights Phone (3)'s Shortcomings
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The Software Savior?
Nothing’s salvation might lie in OS 3.0, launching with Phone (3). It promises "dynamic widgets" and "per-app glyph customization," but early testers call these incremental. The sole standout? "Nothing Chat," an iMessage-compatible messaging app—a clear jab at Apple’s walled garden. Yet without hardware leaps, software polish feels like a band-aid.
Community Backlash
Nothing’s Discord and Reddit forums exploded post-launch. User @TechTruth summarized the mood: "Two years for this? Feels like they spent 18 months on marketing hype." Others lamented canceled concepts, like a rumored budget model targeting emerging markets. Even Pei’s charismatic social teases couldn’t quell the disappointment.
The Bottom Line
Nothing Phone (3) isn’t a bad phone—it’s a competent upgrade for Phone (1) owners. But for a company built on "making tech fun again," it lacks audacity. In a market dominated by AI gimmicks and foldables, playing safe might be the riskiest move of all. As one analyst put it: "Nothing just became something… predictable."
Pre-orders open July 15. Will you bite?
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