Phone (1) to Nothing Phone (3): Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 3 years apart.
Yes — the Nothing Phone (3) is a worthwhile upgrade
The Nothing Phone (3) is 3 years newer than the Phone (1), and the BeastScore rises from 83.1 to 87.6. The biggest improvements: camera rated 7 points higher, battery rated 10 points higher, display rated 4 points higher. Trade-offs to know: 24.5 g heavier, launched $400 more expensive.
What you gain with the Nothing Phone (3)
- Camera rated 7 points higher
- Battery rated 10 points higher
- Display rated 4 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 778G)
- 650 mAh bigger battery
- 32W faster wired charging
- 10W faster wireless charging
- 0.1" larger screen
- 3,300 nits brighter peak display
What you give up
- 24.5 g heavier
- Launched $400 more expensive
Head-to-head
| Spec | Phone (1) | Nothing Phone (3) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 83.1 | 87.6 | +4.5 (5%) |
| Performance score | 90 | 90 | No real change |
| Camera score | 84 | 91 | +7 (8%) |
| Battery score | 78 | 88 | +10 (13%) |
| Display score | 86 | 90 | +4 (5%) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 4,500 mAh | 5,150 mAh | +650 mAh (14%) |
| Wired charging | 33W | 65W | +32W (97%) |
| Wireless charging | 5W | 15W | +10W (200%) |
| Screen size | 6.5" | 6.7" | +0.1" |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 4,500 nits | +3,300 nits (275%) |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 193.5 g | 218 g | +24.5 g (13%) |
| Launch price | $399 | $799 | +$400 (100%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
- Your Phone (1) is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down
Phone (1) to Nothing Phone (3): Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the Phone (1) to the Nothing Phone (3)?
Yes — the Nothing Phone (3) is a worthwhile upgrade. The Nothing Phone (3) is 3 years newer than the Phone (1), and the BeastScore rises from 83.1 to 87.6. The biggest improvements: camera rated 7 points higher, battery rated 10 points higher, display rated 4 points higher. Trade-offs to know: 24.5 g heavier, launched $400 more expensive.
What is the biggest difference between the Phone (1) and Nothing Phone (3)?
Camera rated 7 points higher: 84 on the Phone (1) vs 91 on the Nothing Phone (3).
Does the Nothing Phone (3) have a bigger battery than the Phone (1)?
The Nothing Phone (3) has a 5,150 mAh battery versus 4,500 mAh on the Phone (1) (+650 mAh (14%)).
Who should upgrade to the Nothing Phone (3)?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; Photo quality is a priority for you; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen; Your Phone (1) is 3+ years old and its battery has worn down.