Nothing Phone 3: Is the Redemption Arc Complete? A Fresh Look After Price Drops and Updates
When the Nothing Phone 3 first launched, it faced criticism for its ambitious pricing and some unpolished aspects. Reviewers, including ourselves, found it overpriced and, at times, a little underdeveloped. However, it seems Nothing has been listening to the community. With significant price adjustments and crucial software updates, the Nothing Phone 3 is back in the spotlight, prompting the question: is it now a compelling option?
The Elephant in the Room: Pricing Transformed
Initially, the Nothing Phone 3 carried a hefty price tag of ₹79,999. This was widely seen as too ambitious for the brand. The good news is that Nothing has made substantial changes:
- General Discount: The price for all customers has dropped by ₹20,000, making it available for ₹59,999.
- Legacy Offers for Loyalists: For existing Nothing Phone 1 or Phone 2 users, the price is even more attractive at ₹44,999.
- Exchange Bonus: If Phone 1 or Phone 2 users trade in their old device, the price can drop to an incredibly competitive ₹34,999.
These “legacy offers” demonstrate Nothing’s commitment to its community and place the Phone 3 in a completely different market segment, making it a much more appealing proposition.
Two Months Later: Key Improvements and Remaining Quirks
Beyond the price, the Phone 3 has also seen notable evolution in the past two months, primarily addressing some initial frustrations:
Camera Experience: A Significant Leap Forward One of the biggest concerns at launch was the inconsistent camera performance. While the hardware had potential, tuning issues led to problems like inconsistent HDR, especially with backlit subjects, and a noticeable shutter lag. With recent updates, Nothing has made useful improvements:
- Faster Shutter Speed: No more missed shots due to lag.
- Consistent Color Science: Colors now appear more uniform across all three cameras.
- Improved HDR: Faces against bright backgrounds no longer look washed out.
- Enhanced Zoom: Long-range zoom performance has improved, with better picture quality even at 30x super zoom.
Overall, the camera now feels more reliable and closer to what one would expect from a flagship device.
Glyph Toys: From Gimmicks to Fun Enhancements Initially perceived as “half-baked gimmicks,” the Glyph Toys have become more enjoyable with updates. Nothing has introduced first-party additions and supported third-party community creations:
- New Features: Mini-games, utilities like a stopwatch and flip bottle, and a better overall polish make them more engaging.
- Camera Preview: A Glyph mirror feature now offers a camera preview for video shooting.
- Community Creations: Users can find fun Glyph Toys like a music visualizer and DND toggle on the Play Store.
These improvements have smoothed out some of the rough edges mentioned in earlier reviews.
What Still Stands: While significant progress has been made, some aspects of the Nothing Phone 3 remain unchanged:
- Design: It’s still a relatively thick (9mm) and heavy (218g) phone.
- Performance Thermals: Although better managed, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can still exhibit some heat during demanding games.
- Battery Life: Expect around 6-7 hours of screen-on time, depending on Glyph Toy usage; don’t anticipate miracles here.
However, Nothing’s commitment to promptly pushing out updates to address user feedback is commendable and sets them apart from many other brands.
Expanding the Nothing Ecosystem: Other Noteworthy Price Adjustments
Beyond the Phone 3, Nothing has also adjusted prices across its other product lines:
- Nothing Phone 3a: Now available for ₹21,000.
- Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Priced at ₹25,000.
- CMF Phone 2 Pro: A standout at ₹15,000, offering a clean software experience, unique design with attachable accessories, and a rare 2x telephoto camera at this price point.
These price corrections across the board suggest that Nothing is now hitting the right notes with its product pricing strategy.
Conclusion: A Redemption Arc in Progress
The initial pricing of the Nothing Phone 3 was a definite drawback, turning many potential buyers away. However, with the new, more affordable price points and crucial software updates that enhance the camera and Glyph experience, the Nothing Phone 3 is on a significant redemption arc.
- At ₹79,999, it was a hard pass.
- At ₹59,999, it’s a solid “maybe.”
- But for legacy customers at ₹44,999 or even ₹34,999 with an exchange, it suddenly becomes a very compelling option.
It’s still not perfect, but the Nothing Phone 3 now feels much closer to the device many expected at its initial launch. For Nothing users, these legacy offers are a welcome gesture, reinforcing the brand’s connection with its community.
What are your thoughts on the Nothing Phone 3’s journey? Do you believe Nothing is on a redemption arc, and is it now worth the price? Share your opinions in the comments below!
