With the highly anticipated launch of the Nothing Phone (3) on July 1, 2025, the smartphone industry is buzzing with excitement. This device has introduced new design innovations, notably the Glyph Matrix interface, setting it apart from the competition. As consumers increasingly seek high-performing flagship smartphones, Nothing Phone (3) now joins the ranks of established brands like Apple and Samsung, challenging the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 for dominance in the premium smartphone market. Let’s dive into how these devices differ in terms of hardware, design, and performance.
Design: Breaking Away from the Traditional
One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone (3) is its unique transparent back panel. This eye-catching design feature offers a refreshing departure from the standard smartphone aesthetics, featuring a Glyph Matrix, a programmable mini-LED screen. This interface can show the time, notify users of calls, and display icons, adding a dynamic element to the rear panel. This innovation has attracted attention for its futuristic look, but it is also a controversial design choice.
In comparison, Apple’s iPhone 16 and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 stick to the more familiar industrial designs. The iPhone 16 features Apple’s signature sleek and premium build, with rounded edges and a high-quality glass and metal combination. It retains the minimalist approach that Apple is known for, emphasizing simplicity while still providing a luxurious feel. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 follows a premium design, incorporating an aluminum frame and a glass back, offering a minimal but polished look that fits well within Samsung’s flagship series.
While Nothing Phone (3) stands out with its unconventional design, both the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 stick with classic, sophisticated aesthetics that have been refined over the years. However, Apple and Samsung’s designs are arguably more refined and geared towards users who prefer a more traditional look.
Display: Performance Meets Clarity
When it comes to display technology, Nothing Phone (3) uses a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This results in smooth scrolling, fast responsiveness, and vibrant color reproduction. The Nothing Phone (3) excels in brightness levels with its up to 1300 nits peak brightness, ensuring great visibility even in direct sunlight. This, combined with deep blacks and excellent contrast, makes it a solid contender for media consumption.
Apple’s iPhone 16, on the other hand, features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology that offers an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz. Apple’s display technology continues to deliver some of the most accurate color calibrations, impressive brightness levels (up to 1600 nits peak brightness), and sharpness, making it one of the best in the industry.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes equipped with a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung is known for its high-quality displays, and the S25 is no exception. The Galaxy S25 supports HDR10+, offering stunning contrast, deep blacks, and vivid colors, which makes it ideal for content creators and consumers who value a superior viewing experience.
In terms of display, both iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 offer superior brightness and color accuracy compared to the Nothing Phone (3). However, the Nothing Phone (3)’s display is still impressive, especially considering its more affordable pricing compared to the other two flagships.
Performance: Speed and Efficiency
Nothing Phone (3) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which provides strong performance for daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking. With 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, the device delivers reliable speed, handling most modern apps and games with ease. The phone runs on Nothing OS based on Android 13, providing a clean and smooth user experience.
In comparison, Apple iPhone 16 is powered by the A17 Bionic chip, known for its efficient performance and industry-leading processing power. The A17 chip is paired with 6GB RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage, offering incredible speed, low power consumption, and seamless multitasking. Apple’s iOS 17 ensures a stable and responsive experience, which is one of the reasons why iPhones remain a top choice for many users around the world.
Samsung Galaxy S25 is powered by the Exynos 2200 (or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in some regions) along with 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. This phone excels in performance, handling both demanding tasks and gaming with ease. One UI 5.0, based on Android 13, provides an intuitive interface, rich customization options, and excellent performance optimization.
When it comes to performance, the iPhone 16 holds the edge, as Apple’s custom A17 chip continues to lead in terms of raw computing power. The Galaxy S25 also offers exceptional performance, thanks to its powerful internals and large RAM configuration. However, Nothing Phone (3)’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset holds its own, providing solid all-around performance, especially at a relatively lower price point.
Camera: Photography on the Go
The Nothing Phone (3) comes with a 50MP primary sensor paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens. This camera setup captures sharp and detailed images with good color reproduction. The Night Mode ensures that low-light shots are also detailed and well-lit, although it may not outperform the more premium devices like the iPhone 16 or Galaxy S25.
Apple iPhone 16 features a 48MP primary sensor paired with a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 12MP telephoto lens. Known for its computational photography, the iPhone 16 excels in low-light conditions, color accuracy, and dynamic range. The iPhone 16 also introduces ProRAW and ProRes video options, allowing for more control and higher-quality output for professional photographers and videographers.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 comes with a 200MP primary camera paired with a 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto lens. The Galaxy S25 offers excellent zoom capabilities, making it ideal for long-distance shots. The camera’s advanced night mode and 4K video recording ensure that it provides top-tier performance for photography and videography.
While Nothing Phone (3) offers a solid camera setup, it falls short in comparison to the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25, which feature more advanced sensor technologies, better zoom capabilities, and enhanced post-processing software.
Battery and Charging
The Nothing Phone (3) is equipped with a 4500mAh battery and supports 45W fast charging, ensuring quick power-ups during short breaks. Additionally, the device supports wireless charging, making it more convenient for users who prefer cable-free charging options.
The iPhone 16 comes with a 4,300mAh battery and supports 20W fast charging. While the iPhone 16 does not offer wireless charging speeds as fast as competitors, Apple’s MagSafe charging provides reliable wireless charging with an additional layer of convenience.
Samsung Galaxy S25 is packed with a 5000mAh battery and offers 45W fast charging along with wireless charging. The S25 offers solid battery life, making it one of the most reliable devices in terms of battery performance among premium smartphones.
Price and Value for Money
The Nothing Phone (3) starts at ₹79,999, positioning itself as a strong contender in the flagship smartphone segment. The iPhone 16 starts at a significantly higher price, around ₹1,19,999, reflecting its premium build, advanced technology, and software optimization. The Samsung Galaxy S25 is priced at ₹1,09,999, also catering to the high-end market.
In terms of value for money, the Nothing Phone (3) offers a unique design, solid performance, and innovative features at a more affordable price compared to the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a fresh design and a competitive feature set.
In summary, while the Nothing Phone (3) brings a fresh and unique approach to smartphone design, the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25 offer more refined hardware, better camera systems, and superior performance. If you’re looking for cutting-edge design and innovative features at a competitive price, the Nothing Phone (3) is worth considering. However, if you prioritize top-tier performance, camera quality, and brand reliability, the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 remain the leaders in the flagship smartphone segment.
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