Nothing Phone (3) Teardown Reveals Strong Build and Surprising Repairability, Phone (3) First OS Update Rolls Out

Highlights

• Teardown shows strong build and decent repairability for Nothing Phone (3).
• Nothing OS 3.5 update brings major improvements like Caller ID integration with Glyph, Flip to Record, smoother visuals, improved camera HDR and 120fps gaming support.
• Charging and audio bugs resolved with better power accuracy, fixed spatial audio glitches, lower latency and more.

Caption – Nothing Phone (3). (Image credit – Nothing)

The Nothing Phone (3) may have stirred mixed opinions post-launch with its design, but it appears the phone is going to be a winner when it comes to durability and repairability. In a new teardown video by JerryRigEverything, we get a close look at how the Phone (3) performs under stress. We also get to know what lies beneath its flashy exterior and it is a tough-built phone.

Nothing Phone (3) – Teardown Video

Caption – Nothing Phone (3) appears in JerryRigEverything’s teardown video. (Image credit – JerryRigEverything on YouTube)

During JerryRigEverything’s famous scratch test, the Gorilla Glass 7i front panel of the Nothing Phone (3) holds up as expected. It gets visible scratches appearing at Mohs level 6 and deeper grooves at level 7. The aluminium frame scratches under a razor blade, but the camera glass and metal rings around it stay intact.

In the usual burn test, the display does show damage but continues to function, nothing out of the ordinary there.

Caption – Nothing Phone (3) goes through JerryRigEverything’s bend test. (Image credit – JerryRigEverything on YouTube)

As always, the highlight is the bend test and the Phone (3) passes with flying colours. Even with some oddly placed antenna lines along the sides, the phone doesn’t flex or bend under pressure.

Caption – Nothing Phone (3) internal setup shown in teardown. (Image credit – JerryRigEverything on YouTube)

The second half of the video dives into the teardown itself. Removing the back panel requires some effort, a full razor blade is needed to cut through the adhesive. But once inside, you see some interesting design choices.

The camera bump is built into the rear glass, and the Glyph Matrix’s button cover is part of the back panel too. While it may look like you’re seeing the internals through the transparent design, Nothing uses a protective shield inside to keep things safe and tidy.

Caption – Nothing Phone (3) glyph interface internals. (Image credit – JerryRigEverything on YouTube)

One of the coolest parts is the closer look we get at the Glyph Matrix. This coin-shaped panel features 489 pixels, and because of the capacitive button used to cycle through its modes, the wireless charging coil has a special cutout to make room. Despite all the tech packed in, the phone is repairable enough to earn a C rating from the EU, not bad at all.

Check out the full video below –

Nothing Phone (3) Gets First Major Update

Nothing is now rolling out the first big update for the Phone (3), bringing the Nothing OS 3.5 (build V3.5-250711-2047) with a bunch of new features and important fixes.

Caption – Nothing Phone (3). (Image credit – Nothing)

Glyph Interface – You can now see Caller ID by long-pressing the Glyph button during a call. Users can also set custom icons for essential notifications. The update introduces generative ringtones with synced Glyph lighting and random vibrations. Visuals are smoother, Glyph Toys are more stable, and the Glyph button is now harder to trigger by accident.

Essential Space – There’s a new Flip to Record feature. Flip the phone face down and press the Essential Key to quickly start a voice note, which is then saved as a meeting to-do.

Camera & Display – The camera gets big upgrades like the better HDR, improved Night Mode, and cleaner Snapshot shots. HDR video also looks more natural. The UltraXDR Display now handles highlights and shadows more smoothly.

Gaming & Performance – A popular Battle Royale game can now run at 120fps, and Wi-Fi latency during gaming is lower. Pocket mode has been improved to prevent accidental touches, and users can now choose a custom gallery app in Private Space.

Audio & Charging Fixes –  Spatial audio glitches during playback have been resolved. Charging is now more stable and accurate, fixing slow speeds and wrong battery readings. Overall system performance and power efficiency have also been improved.

The update is rolling out in phases. To check manually, go to Settings > System > Feedback.

FAQs

Q1. How durable and repairable is the Nothing Phone (3)?

Answer. The phone held up well in scratch, burn, and bend tests, with Gorilla Glass 7i and a sturdy aluminium frame; it earned a C rating for repairability from the EU.

Q2. What improvements come with the Nothing OS 3.5 update?

Answer. The update adds Caller ID to the Glyph button, generative ringtones, Flip to Record, camera HDR upgrades, smoother visuals, 120fps gaming, and improved battery efficiency.

Q3. Are any charging or audio bugs addressed in the update?

Answer. Yes, spatial audio glitches have been resolved, charging is now more accurate and stable, and overall system performance has improved.

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