I’ve been trying out a few different cases for the Nothing Phone (3), and the search for the perfect balance of design and function has been challenging.
The first case, the original one from Nothing, has a genuinely interesting texture, but its overall aesthetic falls flat because it’s clear. The visibility of the phone’s engineering holes actually spoils the look—it honestly appears as though someone took a hole punch to the back of the case.
Next, I picked up a high-quality case from AliExpress. This one is beautifully made and offers a superb feel in the hand, with an excellent grip. The magnet for accessories is placed perfectly. The big downside, however, is that it completely covers the red recording indicator LED, which is a significant functional flaw.
The third option, also from AliExpress, is the thickest of the lot. It provides good protection for the large camera module, and the cutouts for all the ports and mics are precisely where they should be. Its major flaw is that the magnet is positioned incorrectly, making it impractical when using certain accessories.
Finally, there’s the Spigen case. It’s incredibly well-fitted—in fact, it’s a bit of a struggle to get on in the first place. The material is a step down from the others; it doesn’t have that pleasant matte feel. But the huge advantage here is the incredible grip the material provides; the phone virtually sticks to your hand. Plus, the engineering holes are perfectly applied. It might look a little juvenile, but because of that superior grip and flawless cutouts, this is the one I’ve decided to stick with for now.
