The smartphone industry is closely watching Nothing's next move as recent leaks suggest a strategic shift in the company's approach to its flagship line. After skipping a 2024 release and pushing the launch to 2025, Nothing appears to be taking an unexpected turn with its Phone 3 series, potentially returning to its mid-range roots despite the premium positioning of its predecessor.
Unexpected Hardware Choice
Recent Geekbench listings have revealed that the base model Nothing Phone 3, identified by model number A059, will likely feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. This marks a significant departure from the flagship-grade Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 used in the Phone (2). The benchmark results show single-core scores of 1,149 and multi-core scores of 2,813, positioning the device firmly in the mid-range segment.
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| The Nothing Phone (2) displayed showcasing its unique design and interface, symbolizing the company's transition in product strategy |
Two-Tier Strategy Emerges
Nothing appears to be adopting a dual-model strategy for its third-generation phones. While the base Phone 3 may target the mid-range market, evidence from IMEI database listings suggests a more powerful variant, possibly called the Phone 3+ or Phone 3 Pro, carrying the model number A059P. This premium version might feature MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 SoC, maintaining a presence in the high-end market.
AI-Centric Development
Nothing's CEO Carl Pei has emphasized that AI will be at the core of the Phone 3's experience. The choice of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 aligns with this vision, as the chip supports various AI models including Baichuan-7B and Llama 2, despite its mid-range positioning. The deliberate delay to 2025 appears to be focused on perfecting these AI capabilities.
Display and Software
The upcoming Phone 3 is expected to feature a 6.5-inch display for the standard model, while the Pro variant may sport a larger 6.7-inch screen. The device will run on Android 15 out of the box, likely skinned with NothingOS 3.0, promising a refined user experience that integrates the company's AI developments.
Market Positioning
With early speculation suggesting a starting price around $600, Nothing seems to be targeting a sweet spot in the market that balances performance with accessibility. This strategic repositioning could help the company capture a broader market share while maintaining its distinctive design philosophy and innovative features.