The irritation you’re seeing isn’t just “internet hate,” it’s genuine let-down from long-time supporters who waited more than 2 years for Nothing’s first flagship-branded handset.
I stuck with the brand because of its clean OS and head-turning design, and I’ve been recommending Nothing phones to friends, family, and colleagues.
But when the Phone 3 finally arrived, its core hardware landed a clear tier below rivals that cost far less: I’m just taking an example of IQOO13.
Processor – the Snapdragon 8 s Gen 4 in the Phone (3) is solid, but it’s a mid-premium chip, not Qualcomm’s top-shelf silicon. Devices like the iQOO 13 ship with the newer 3 nm Snapdragon 8 Elite while still undercutting Nothing by ₹25 K. (No problem I’m ready to pay more for a Nothing phone).
Display – a 6.67-inch 1.5 K/120 Hz panel is fine, yet IQOO13 now offer 6.8-inch LTPO 2 K screens at 144 Hz for smoother scrolling and gaming.
Battery & charging – 5,150 mAh with 65 W wired charging looks modest beside IQOO 13’s 6,150 mAh packs that hit 120 W and refill in under twenty minutes. And you get a Charger in the box too.
Price – ₹79,999 for the base Phone (3) versus roughly ₹54,999 for the IQOO 13, which brings the stronger chipset, sharper display and faster charging, IP68&69 sealing.
None of this means the Phone 3 is bad—it’s still beautifully built, ships with Nothing OS 3.5, and carries IP68 sealing and wireless charging, which some rivals skip.
But when you brand a device “flagship” and price it like one, people naturally expect leading silicon, a class-leading screen, and charging that keeps pace with the competition. That’s why many of us feel disappointed rather than merely price-sensitive.
So yes, I’ll stick with my Phone 2 for now. I love Nothing’s aesthetic and software polish, and I truly hope the team consider the hardware that matches the hype.
