All of the options I need to see

Carl Pei wasn’t glad with making historical past simply as soon as with OnePlus. In early 2021, he introduced the formation of a brand new firm known as Nothing. Whereas the very first Nothing Telephone confirmed promise, the Nothing Phone 2 demonstrated a considerably extra refined effort, leaving me optimistic concerning the firm’s future. Since then, we’ve seen the Nothing Telephone 2a collection, the CMF Telephone collection, and the Nothing Phone 3a series. So what’s subsequent from the corporate?

Whereas the Nothing Telephone 3 may not be coming instantly, it’s positive to reach finally. There are specific facets I hope to see addressed with the Nothing Telephone 3 when it does lastly launch. Right here’s my wishlist, together with the restricted data accessible concerning the machine to this point.

The Nothing Telephone stays considerably of an enigma. Is it designed for energy customers, avid gamers, worth customers, or spec fanatics? It kind of appeals to all of those teams, however solely partially. Whereas it undoubtedly delivers a robust efficiency, it additionally makes compromises in numerous areas, together with construct supplies and the digicam package deal. Judging by our readers’ pursuits and my very own, it appears that evidently the Nothing model at present appeals to people looking for uncooked energy and a particular look that stands out in a crowd. Sometimes, this sort of person is prepared to pay a premium for such an expertise, making an improve to a extra true flagship expertise a probably well-received transfer. This improve begins with enhancements in safety and sturdiness.

The Nothing Telephone 2 is rated at just IP54; this can be a rarity within the smartphone world and is notably much less spectacular than the extra frequent IP68 score. For the Nothing Telephone 3, I wish to see the model handle this limitation whereas additionally upgrading to newer glass know-how. The Gorilla Glass 5 on Nothing’s present flagship is beginning to present its age, particularly contemplating that the Gorilla Glass Victus collection has change into the brand new gold customary for top-tier telephones, with the unique Victus typically featured on entry-level flagships.

Nothing may gain advantage from pushing additional upscale, whereas introducing a finances possibility

The largest grievance concerning the original Nothing Phone was that it was underpowered, a priority that was partially addressed with the Nothing Telephone 2. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment. Regardless of that includes a potent Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus SoC, the Nothing Telephone 2 seems to throttle its GPU extra aggressively than telephones with comparable specs. Whereas the very best Qualcomm chip may not be crucial, refining the person expertise to make sure efficiency matches that of telephones in the identical worth vary is essential. On the very least, together with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 within the Nothing Telephone 3 must be a precedence, particularly contemplating that the new-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite has set a brand new customary for flagships.

Not all energy customers prioritize having the best camera; some are extra into cell gaming, emulators, and different geekier pursuits. Regardless, whereas the digicam may not be the deciding issue for energy customers, it stays an essential consideration. Regrettably, Nothing was comparatively conservative with its digicam setups on its mainline flagships. The Nothing Telephone 2 featured a virtually an identical mediocre digicam suite to its predecessor, although it did improve its foremost sensor to the IMX890. Whereas an improve, it wasn’t as substantial as one may hope.

At the moment, the Nothing Telephone 2 performs adequately in good lighting circumstances, and even its low-light photos are acceptable. Nevertheless, its colours are usually overly contrast-heavy, sometimes bleeding into different objects and surfaces. Moreover, it displays a noticeable shutter lag in comparison with different telephones. Whereas the principle shooter typically does a passable job, the first problem lies with the Samsung JN1 used for its ultrawide camera. This sensor produces muddy textures and halo results, regardless of the corporate’s efforts to boost the expertise with software program updates. Even when Nothing decides to retain the IMX890, it ought to take into account changing the JN1 with a extra fashionable sensor.

One other important concern is the selfie shooter. Whereas it performs adequately, its limitation to 1080p looks like a serious oversight in as we speak’s world of bloggers and TikTok customers. It’s hoped that the Nothing Telephone 3 will provide true 4K efficiency for video recording, addressing this obvious limitation.

The excellent news is that the mid-tier Nothing Telephone 3a units each provide telephoto cameras. So don’t be shocked if the Nothing Telephone 3a Professional’s 50MP 3x digicam (or a good higher digicam) involves the brand new flagship, dramatically enhancing zoom high quality.

Okay, this can be a comparatively minor level in comparison with all of the others, however I’d wish to see an improved sound expertise with the Nothing Telephone 3. The Nothing Telephone 2 has a considerably tinny sound high quality to it. Whereas many people use Bluetooth earbuds for cell audio, having a set of fine inner audio system continues to be appreciated once you need to shortly present somebody one thing in your cellphone.

One other small level for these in the US is the shortage of Verizon assist. This doubtless comes right down to Verizon’s strict certification processes reasonably than a real lack of functionality. The fact is Verizon is now not a CDMA provider, which was the principle problem. Now it’s typically attainable to get unsupported telephones to work with Verizon, although their precise efficiency could differ. If Nothing needs to hunt wider enchantment within the US market, including official Verizon assist can be a simple strategy to do it. Verizon can be no stranger to partnering with carriers for unique additions that play nicer with their community.

The Nothing Telephone 2 made important strides on the software program entrance, reworking the person expertise into one thing extra polished and refined. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless room for enchancment, notably in the case of the Glyph, which, in my opinion, stays extra of a gimmick than a real game-changer.

With the addition of extra LED strips and progressive Glyph options resembling Glyph Composer for customized sounds and Important Glyph for prioritizing sure apps, the Nothing Telephone 2 showcased loads of developments. Nevertheless, many of those options felt like good extras with restricted sensible assist. As an illustration, the characteristic permitting the Glyph to gentle up when your Uber trip is nearing completion is cool, however the lack of assist for different providers like Lyft or supply apps diminishes its general utility.

To really elevate the Glyph’s standing, Nothing should entice third-party assist. Sadly, Nothing hasn’t had excellent luck right here. Its third-party dealings have both been very restricted, like within the case of Uber, or ill-advised, like its collaboration with Sunbird for Nothing Chats. What holds Nothing again is that builders are sometimes leary to work on such units as they’ll solely assist the very small area of interest market of Nothing Telephone homeowners. That’s not a simple drawback to beat with out throwing round cash. That’s one thing a more moderen firm actually can’t afford to do.

Even when Nothing manages to safe extra app assist for custom-made notifications and Glyph utilization, it may not be sufficient. The corporate must discover progressive methods to make use of it first, which is a tall order. For instance, envision a state of affairs the place Nothing creates a free common customary, enabling Nothing Telephone customers to make use of their machine as a buzzer alternative in eating places or retail institutions. Collaborating with main retailers and chain eating places to implement such a characteristic might be a strategic transfer. That’s only one half-baked concept, however the level is the extra locations the Glyph can be utilized the extra it’s going to show itself as a respectable characteristic.

• Nothing Telephone — July 21, 2022
• Nothing Telephone 2 — July 17, 2023

Sure, the Nothing Telephone 3 will finally floor. Firm founder Carl Pei not too long ago confirmed that the cellphone will launch in Q3 2025.

Traditionally the Nothing Telephone collection launches in July, however the Nothing Telephone 3 is in a singular place. Not like most corporations, Nothing isn’t committing to the standard yearly launch cycle for its flagship. Pei says that don’t need to compete and as a substitute need to do their very own factor, even going so far as to reference how Nintendo makes its own way as a substitute of following the standard guidelines of the gaming trade.

Whereas many anticipated the Nothing Telephone 3 to reach sooner reasonably than later, the Nothing Telephone 3a collection really arrived first in Q1 2025. It seems like there’ll be a little bit of a spot between this launch and the Telephone 3’s launch, in keeping with Pei.

As for what we do know concerning the Nothing Telephone 3? Just about nothing anymore. Each earlier rumor is from mid-2024 or earlier, again when it was assumed the Nothing Telephone 3 would arrive first.

It is a robust one. The imprecise Q3 2025 launch window doesn’t assist issues. Moreover, the Nothing Telephone 3a and 3a Professional each appear to be nice mid-range Android phones that seize the essence of top-tier Nothing telephones. So you possibly can go for considered one of these telephones and get an excellent Nothing expertise. In any other case, in order for you a flagship Nothing expertise when it comes to efficiency and different bells and whistles, you then’ll have to attend.

What in case you simply need a good flagship-tier cellphone and don’t thoughts a Nothing different? The Google Pixel 9 ($799 at Amazon) or Samsung Galaxy S25 ($809.99 at Amazon) are in all probability extra sensible choices with higher software program assist, higher cameras, and related (or typically even higher) efficiency.