The Nothing Phone 3 has been turning heads — and dividing opinions — since its launch earlier this month. With its bold design choices and mid-premium specs, the phone has stirred debate among tech reviewers and fans alike. Now, Nothing CEO Carl Pei has addressed the mixed reactions head-on in a candid YouTube video.
Pei responded directly to feedback from top tech creators like MKBHD and Mrwhosetheboss, acknowledging both praise and criticism. The $799 Phone 3, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, has drawn flak for its asymmetrical design and for skipping flagship-grade hardware. But Pei stood by the product, saying, “We’ve designed something we’re proud of. Some people love it, some don’t — and that’s okay.” He also took a firm stance against criticism over the design choices.
One major talking point has been the new Glyph Matrix — a circular low-resolution rear display that replaces the signature Glyph LEDs from previous models. While some reviewers questioned its practicality, Pei defended the decision, arguing that falling software development costs could pave the way for a thriving ecosystem of “Glyph Toys,” even if Nothing’s developer community remains smaller than that of Android or iOS.
Performance was another sticking point. Most reviewers pointed out that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 lags significantly behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite in benchmarks. Pei countered that the chip delivers enough power for most users, adding that the overall experience — thanks to Nothing OS 3.5.
The phone offers a 1.5K 120Hz LTPO OLED display on the front and a versatile 50MP triple-camera setup with 3x periscope zoom on the back. However, it still falls short of matching other flagships in its price range, such as the Galaxy S25 or iPhone 16.
Sure, Nothing is a relatively small and new player in the smartphone industry — and mastering imaging software isn’t something companies achieve overnight. But for consumers expecting the full suite of flagship features, the Nothing Phone 3 may end up disappointing.
The problem isn’t with the Phone 3 itself, but with its positioning as a “flagship.” It’s now being compared to true flagships from tech giants that benefit from massive R&D budgets and years of refinement.
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