Nothing Phone (3) may ditch glyph lights in favour of minimalist aesthetics.
Flagship specs expected with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
Launch likely on July 1 with premium pricing
With its formal launch in a month, Nothing Phone (3) has made an appearance in a series of leaked images that indicate a complete design overhaul. The biggest missing piece is the Glyph interface. Nothing’s proprietary LED light system that debuted with its first smartphone seems to be gone altogether.
The renders, shared by reliable tipster Max Jambor on X (formerly Twitter), indicate that the new device opts for a minimalist look with a semi-transparent rear, a circular triple-camera module, and no visible lighting strips. While the company has not officially commented on the leak, visuals signal a clear shift in design philosophy for the Carl Pei-led brand.
Nothing Phone (3) apparently moves away from the novelty, LED-driven look of its predecessors in favor of something more subdued and perhaps more upscale.
No Glyph lights: There are no longer any LED notification strips illuminating the phone’s rear.
Soft transparency: The semi-transparent aesthetic still exists, but now with a matte or printed overlay covering the inner components.
Camera revamp: A rounded body holds what seems to be a triple-lens configuration, most probably a 50MP primary, ultra-wide, and telephoto sensor.
The design implies a conscious departure from the flashy features that characterized the Nothing series until now. Analysts think this could be a calculated attempt to tap into a more mainstream, high-performance-seeking audience.
Also Read: Nothing Phone 3: India Price, Launch Date, Specification, and More Details
The third-generation phone should come equipped with major hardware upgrades. Rumor has it that the flagship chipset will be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or its ‘Elite’ version), situating Phone (3) firmly in the flagship zone. Speculated specs include:
6.77-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits peak brightness.
12GB–16GB RAM options with up to 512GB of internal storage.
Triple rear camera system, all said to be 50MP, with improved zoom and night capabilities.
AI-powered Nothing OS, perhaps Android 15, or a beta release of Android 16.
OS is said to place great emphasis on AI features such as ‘Circle to Search’ and a new assistant experience, in line with wider industry trends for AI-first user experiences.
The leaked design has ignited a heated discussion online, with numerous users commenting on the elimination of Glyph lights. While others bemoan the loss of the visual identity that differentiated earlier models, others see change as practical and viable.
On social media, some users shared similar opinions. “I never used the Glyph lights after the first week. It was a conversation piece, not a feature,” wrote a Reddit user. Some users miss it, too. “The Glyph was what distinguished Nothing phones from others. Without it, it’s a OnePlus clone,” said another technology fan.
Nothing Phone (3) will be released internationally on July 1, with live streaming anticipated across the company’s online channels. Prices are rumored to begin at $799 internationally, which is around ₹58,000–₹60,000 in India.
If true, this would make the device the costliest smartphone in Nothing’s line, quite a leap from Phone (2), which came out at ₹44,999. The price also puts the device in competition with the OnePlus 13, Pixel 9a, and the coming iPhone 16e.
Before the formal announcement, tech buffs are waiting for:
Front design confirmation: Leaked images till now only reveal the back. The bezel and camera placement on the front are still unknown.
Camera performance: Specifications are encouraging, but true image processing and low-light performance will be the deciding factors in this segment.
Battery life and charging: With the predicted 5,000mAh battery and 50W fast charging support, consistency in performance is yet to be seen.
AI feature set: How useful new AI applications will be in the real world, particularly how they stack up against Google and Samsung offerings, will be closely observed.
Though the leaked renders and spec sheet represent a more serious and potent smartphone, the lack of Glyph lighting leaves one wondering whether Nothing is losing the very uniqueness that made it special. Nothing Phone (3) might find favor among a broader premium segment, but it might well alienate early enthusiasts who cared less for brute performance and more about form.
With hype mounting as it is set to debut in July, everyone will be watching how Nothing strikes a balance between innovation, identity, and usability in a crowded marketplace.