The Nothing Phone (3) launch is just around the corner, and the company has been dropping titbits of the upcoming phone. And the latest tease?
It looks like the brand’s signature Glyph Interface, those flashy LED lights on the back panel, might be on the chopping block. In a dramatic, tongue-in-cheek video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Nothing appears to confirm the end of its most recognisable design feature. Captioned simply, “we killed the Glyph Interface”, the short clip features the original Phone (1)’s lights flickering out into darkness – a cinematic farewell, if you will, to the tech that lit up the brand’s identity.
Since its debut, the Glyph Interface has been a defining quirk of the Nothing phone lineup. Those LED strips on the rear weren’t just for show – they brought a bit of sci-fi flair to smartphones, with users assigning unique light patterns and sounds for notifications, using it as a countdown timer, battery indicator, or even as a soft light source while shooting photos. So, what happens when the lights go out?
While there is no official information, the conjecture is that instead of the familiar Glyph setup, Nothing may be cooking up a brand-new visual language for the Phone (3), and it might involve dot-matrix displays. The teaser videos for the new device have featured pixel-style graphics, including a retro-style number “3” and some nostalgic, arcade-inspired animations (think Pac-Man, but make it fashion). Could this mean animated pixel displays on the back panel? A subtle nod to old-school tech in a fresh modern shell?
That said, the potential removal of Glyphs is a risky move, though. After all, it was that very element which first turned heads when the Phone (1) launched in 2022. It helped Nothing carve a unique niche in a sea of indistinguishable slabs. Now, with rivals catching up and design innovation slowing across the board, scrapping such a defining feature begs the question: what’s next?
Nothing Phone (3): Price hike
Nothing’s gearing up to deliver its most premium device yet, and it’s going to come with a matching price tag. In a recent flurry of teasing videos and cryptic posts, Carl Pei, the co-founder and ever-the-showman, dropped a blurred image of the upcoming Nothing Phone (3) and followed it up with a rather sobering message: this one won’t be cheap.
Yep, the days of Nothing being the stylish-yet-affordable underdog may be numbered.
Pei hinted that those patiently awaiting the Phone (3) “might be disappointed” if they were banking on a budget-friendly price. His reason? This time, Nothing’s playing in the big leagues. According to Akis Evangelidis, the company’s co-founder, this is set to be Nothing’s “first true flagship.” Translation: top-tier specs, design, and yes – a flagship-worthy cost.
In fact, Pei has already let slip a ballpark figure: around 800. That’s a significant jump from its predecessors – and when you convert that into Indian currency, you’re looking at roughly Rs 92,000. That’s enough to make anyone gulp.
But before you panic, there’s a twist. While the UK price hints at a hefty tag, Nothing has historically adjusted prices to suit local markets, especially India – one of its key territories. So, while it’s unlikely to hit the full 800 equivalent in rupees, don’t hold your breath for anything close to the Nothing Phone (2)’s launch price, which ranged from Rs 44,999 to Rs 54,999.
Industry insiders are already predicting a sticker price between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000 for the Indian market – still a noticeable jump, but a more palatable one considering what’s likely on offer: a flagship processor, upgraded cameras, premium build, and perhaps even that rumoured dot-matrix display on the back.