Nothing Phone 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Nothing Phone 3 and Samsung Galaxy S25 are both premium Android smartphones with a Snapdragon chipset, IP68 protection, and Android 15 as the launch OS. The difference is in philosophy. Nothing Phone 3 prioritizes bold design, a transparent back, the Glyph Matrix (a pixel-based dot matrix display on the back — an upgrade from the strip LEDs on earlier Nothing phones), four 50MP cameras (including a 50MP selfie camera), and a larger battery with faster wired charging. Samsung Galaxy S25 prioritizes a more compact body, the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, seven years of Android major OS upgrades, and deep ecosystem integration through Samsung DeX, One UI, and Galaxy AI. This comparison covers performance, cameras, design, software, battery, and long-term value.
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Nothing
Nothing Phone 3
A bold, design-first Android with Glyph Matrix (pixel dot matrix display), four 50MP cameras (3 rear + 1 front), a 5150mAh battery, and 65W fast charging.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S25
A compact, ecosystem-rich flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite, Galaxy AI, seven years of Android OS upgrades, and Samsung DeX.
Not enough votes yet
Be the first to cast your vote above!
↑ Cast your vote to help build the results
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Nothing Phone 3 — Pros
Nothing Phone 3 — Cons
Samsung Galaxy S25 — Pros
Samsung Galaxy S25 — Cons
Best used for
Best used for
Our Verdict
Nothing Phone 3 is the stronger choice for buyers who want design-forward hardware with a larger battery, faster wired charging, and a four-camera system where every sensor — including the selfie camera — shoots at 50MP. At $599 in the US, it represents genuine value in the flagship tier. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is capable for all everyday tasks, and with 5 years of Android OS updates and 7 years of security patches, Nothing's update commitment is now firmly in the long-term support tier. Samsung Galaxy S25 is the stronger choice for buyers who prioritize raw performance, software longevity, and ecosystem integration. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is the fastest Android chip available, and seven years of major Android upgrades means the S25 will remain current well into the 2030s. Galaxy AI, Samsung DeX, and the broader Galaxy ecosystem give it a significant advantage for power users. The phone has already received One UI 8.5 (Android 16) as of June 2026, confirming Samsung's update cadence. For most buyers choosing between these two, the decision comes down to priorities: distinctive design, battery performance, and value point to Nothing Phone 3; top-tier chipset performance, the full two years of additional OS update longevity, and Samsung's ecosystem depth point to Galaxy S25.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Nothing Phone 3 if...
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if...
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Nothing Phone 3 or Samsung Galaxy S25 better?
A: It depends on what matters most. Nothing Phone 3 is better for design, battery life, fast charging, and value at $599. Samsung Galaxy S25 is better for raw performance, long-term software support (7 years vs 5), and ecosystem integration.
Q: Which has a better chip?
A: Samsung Galaxy S25 uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in Nothing Phone 3. The 8 Elite is the top-tier flagship chip; the 8s Gen 4 is capable but positioned one tier below.
Q: Which has a better camera?
A: Nothing Phone 3 features four 50MP cameras — a 50MP wide (f/1.7), 50MP 3x periscope telephoto (f/2.7), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and a 50MP selfie camera (f/2.2). Samsung Galaxy S25 has a mixed resolution system (50MP + 10MP + 12MP rear, 12MP front) but benefits from Samsung's mature image processing and ProVisual Engine. Both shoot 4K@60fps video; Galaxy S25 adds 8K@30fps. Real-world results depend on shooting conditions.
Q: Which has better battery life?
A: Nothing Phone 3 has a larger 5150mAh battery versus Galaxy S25's 4000mAh, and charges faster at 65W versus 25W. On paper, Nothing Phone 3 should offer longer battery endurance and significantly faster top-ups.
Q: How long will each phone receive software updates?
A: Samsung Galaxy S25 is guaranteed 7 major Android OS upgrades and 7 years of security patches. Nothing Phone 3 is officially committed to 5 years of Android OS updates and 7 years of security patches — a significant improvement over Nothing's previous update policies. Both phones will receive security patches through at least 2031-2032.
Q: What is the Glyph Matrix?
A: The Glyph Matrix is Nothing's pixel-based dot matrix display on the back of the Nothing Phone 3. Unlike the strip LED system used on earlier Nothing phones (Phone 1 and Phone 2), the Glyph Matrix can render actual pixel graphics, animations, and alphanumeric characters — not just illuminated lines. It shows notifications, charging status, countdown timers, and more. It is one of Nothing's most distinctive hardware features and has no equivalent on Samsung phones.
Q: Does Nothing Phone 3 support wireless charging?
A: Yes. Nothing Phone 3 supports 15W wireless charging. Samsung Galaxy S25 also supports 15W wireless charging and is Qi2 Ready, with the addition of 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Q: What is Samsung DeX?
A: Samsung DeX is a desktop mode that lets Galaxy S25 users connect their phone to an external monitor and use it as a basic desktop computer with a mouse and keyboard. Nothing Phone 3 does not have an equivalent feature.
Q: Which is cheaper?
A: Nothing Phone 3 is currently $599 in the US (12+256GB). Samsung Galaxy S25 starts at $799.99 on Samsung.com (128GB). Nothing Phone 3 offers significantly more base storage at a lower price.
Q: What Android version does Galaxy S25 run in 2026?
A: Samsung Galaxy S25 launched with Android 15 and One UI 7 in February 2025. It received One UI 8 (Android 16) in September 2025 and is currently running One UI 8.5 as of June 2026, confirming Samsung's commitment to its 7-year update promise.
Sources & References
Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.
- ↗Nothing Phone 3 Official US Page
- ↗Samsung Galaxy S25 Official Page
- ↗Samsung Galaxy S25 Buy Page (price verified)
Last verified: August 2026
Community (0)
Share your experience with Nothing Phone 3 or Samsung Galaxy S25
No opinions shared yet
Be the first to share your experience with Nothing Phone 3 or Samsung Galaxy S25
People also compared
More matchups connected to Nothing Phone 3, Samsung Galaxy S25, or Smartphones