Nothing, the London-based consumer electronics brand, has stirred up a fair bit of buzz—and maybe a little confusion—around its upcoming Phone 3. A stark, somewhat dramatic teaser from the company hints at a possible departure from its most recognizable feature: the Glyph Interface. For those who’ve been following Nothing since the original Phone (1) launched in 2022, that’s no small change. The Glyph lighting on the transparent back wasn’t just a visual party trick; it served as a novel way to stay connected—through pulsing lights for notifications, countdowns, or even music beats.
So now the big question: If the Glyph Interface really is going away, what’s left to define the Phone 3—and more importantly, what does this mean for those of us who’ve grown fond of that quirky, functional design?
The End of an Era?
The speculation isn’t without fuel. A short video posted on Nothing’s X (formerly Twitter) account showed the Phone (1)’s Glyph lights slowly blinking, then fading to black captioned with a blunt declaration: “We killed the Glyph Interface.” Just like that. The message was simple, even jarring, and it’s caused a wave of debate across the tech community.
To be fair, the Glyph system wasn’t just an aesthetic experiment. It gave users a way to receive information without looking at their screens—like knowing who’s calling by a specific light pattern or checking a timer just by glancing at the lights. In a world where phone designs have started to blur together, the Glyph gave Nothing a distinct identity. So, removing it feels like the brand is taking a risk—or maybe making room for something bigger.
What to Expect from Phone 3 Beyond the Glyphs
If the Glyph Interface is truly being phased out, then all eyes are on what comes next. CEO Carl Pei has described the Phone 3 as Nothing’s “first true flagship.” That’s a strong statement and one that suggests a major step forward—not just in terms of looks, but under the hood as well.
Here’s what the rumors and early teasers are pointing to:
- Premium Build: Expect a shift toward a more polished, possibly more luxurious design. There’s talk of a metal frame and a dual-tone glass back. One recent teaser even showed a textured patch on the rear that some think might be a new physical button—maybe linked to upcoming AI functions.
- Display: The display could be a 6.77-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness hitting 3,000 nits. That would make for a very bright and smooth viewing experience, whether you’re gaming or just doomscrolling.
- Performance: Internally, the Phone 3 might sport a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the newer 8s Gen 4 chipset. Either would be a massive upgrade over the previous generation, especially with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage in the mix. It could finally put Nothing in direct competition with the heavyweights.
- Camera System: The rear camera setup is likely to include three lenses, with a 50MP main sensor as the centerpiece. A 32MP selfie camera is also rumored, along with whispers of a periscope-style telephoto lens—which would be a first for Nothing and a nice bump in photography credibility.
- Battery and Charging: A 5,000mAh battery is expected, backed by 50W wired and 20W wireless charging. That’s a solid offering for a flagship in 2025, and it suggests the phone should keep up with a full day’s demands comfortably.
The Rise of AI and a New Visual Identity?
Carl Pei has made it clear that AI will play a central role in the Phone 3’s evolution. He’s hinted at deep integration within Nothing OS, including smart features like “Circle to Search” and “Smart Drawer,” along with what may be Nothing’s own AI assistant. If the Glyph Interface defined the old Nothing phones, AI interactions could become the brand’s next signature.
Interestingly, some have speculated that the rear panel won’t be completely stripped of character. A few recent hints—like a pixelated “3” and retro-style animations—suggest a potential shift to something like a dot-matrix display. That might provide a fresh way to show notifications or personalize the back of the phone, possibly even with interactive elements.
Price Point: Expect a Jump
With all these high-end features and a move toward more premium materials, a higher price point seems inevitable. Carl Pei has floated a UK price of around £800. In India, estimates range between Rs 55,000 and Rs 65,000—a noticeable jump from the Rs 44,999 launch price of the Phone (2). Clearly, nothing is aiming to compete in the flagship tier now.
Launch Timeline
The Phone 3 is officially slated for a July 2025 debut. No specific date just yet, but the teaser campaign is steadily ramping up. As we get closer, more concrete details—particularly about the design and final specs—are bound to surface.
For Nothing, the Phone 3 could be a defining moment. Ditching the Glyph Interface—if that’s really what’s happening—might feel like saying goodbye to a part of the brand’s soul. But at the same time, it could be the necessary leap toward broader appeal and higher-tier competition.
With a renewed focus on AI, high-end specs, and perhaps a new visual identity altogether, the Phone 3 isn’t just another model—it’s a statement. The coming weeks will show if this gamble pays off, or if users find themselves missing those pulsing lights just a little too much.
