The smartphone world is buzzing, and the cause? None other than the Nothing Phone 3, set to make its grand debut on July 1st in London. We’ve been eagerly awaiting details, and a significant one just dropped, straight from Nothing CEO Carl Pei himself: the Phone 3 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset.
Everything enhanced.
— Nothing (@nothing) June 17, 2025
With the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. pic.twitter.com/J7pCciee2d
Now, this news has kicked off quite the conversation among tech enthusiasts. On one hand, it’s a clear step up for Nothing. The 8s Gen 4 is, without a doubt, the most potent silicon Nothing has ever put into a phone. Carl Pei is quick to highlight the impressive gains over the Phone 2’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, touting a 36% faster CPU, an 88% stronger GPU, and a 60% boost in NPU performance. In plain English? This phone should feel incredibly snappy and smooth in your hand.
And let’s be real, for most of us, this level of performance, combined with a rumored $799 starting price, puts the Phone 3 squarely in the “premium value” sweet spot. We’re talking up to 16GB of RAM, a generous 512GB of storage, a robust triple-camera setup (yes, including a periscope telephoto lens!), and a beefy battery over 5,000mAh. Plus, Nothing’s knack for sleek design and that clean, thoughtful software experience – now with cool AI integrations like “Essential Space” – aims to deliver a complete package that’s more than just a sum of its parts.
But here’s where the plot thickens a bit. The choice of the “8s” variant, rather than Qualcomm’s absolute top-dog Snapdragon 8 Elite (sometimes just called Snapdragon 8 Gen 4), has raised a few eyebrows. Why? Because the “s” signifies a few strategic omissions. We’re talking no 8K video recording, no 4K/120fps slow-motion, and no mmWave 5G support – features often found in the priciest, no-holds-barred flagships. To some, this makes the Phone 3 feel more like a “flagship-adjacent” device than a full-blown champion.
However, I think this is where Nothing’s unique philosophy truly shines. Carl Pei and his team aren’t just chasing the highest benchmark scores. They’re clearly aiming for a balanced, optimized experience that caters to real-world usage. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is incredibly capable; it can even go head-to-head with last year’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in many scenarios. For the average user, the day-to-day difference between the 8s Gen 4 and the full-fat Elite version will likely be imperceptible.
Nothing seems to be making a calculated bet: that their distinct design language, transparent aesthetic, and exceptionally clean software will be the true differentiators. They’re targeting users who appreciate a phone that feels good, looks unique, and operates seamlessly, rather than one that boasts about features they might never actually use.
So, while the Nothing Phone 3 might not win every spec-sheet showdown, it’s certainly shaping up to be a device with a strong personality and a clear vision. With its powerful-yet-sensible chipset, rumored design evolution (could the iconic Glyph be getting a refresh?), and the promise of smarter AI, the Phone 3 is poised to carve out its own niche in the crowded smartphone market. We’ll soon find out if this calculated approach pays off when it officially drops on July 1st.
If you liked this article, check out our other articles on Nothing.