Smartphones
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: July 4, 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.
VS
S
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S25
A compact, ecosystem-rich flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite, Galaxy AI, seven years of Android OS upgrades, and Samsung DeX.
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Specifications
Pros & Cons
Nothing Phone 3 — Pros
✓Distinctive transparent back and Glyph Matrix — a pixel-based dot matrix display on the back that shows notifications, timers, and more (a step up from the strip LEDs on previous Nothing phones)
✓Four 50MP cameras system — 50MP wide (f/1.7), 50MP 3x periscope telephoto (f/2.7), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and 50MP selfie camera (f/2.2)
✓5150mAh battery — significantly larger than Galaxy S25
✓65W wired charging — more than twice as fast as Galaxy S25's 25W
✓15W wireless charging
✓IP68 water resistance
✓Cleaner Nothing OS experience with less bloatware
✓5 years of Android OS updates + 7 years of security patches (official Nothing commitment)
✓Currently selling at $599 in the US — strong value at this price
Nothing Phone 3 — Cons
✕Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a mid-tier chip — slower than Galaxy S25's Snapdragon 8 Elite
✕5 years of OS updates vs Samsung's 7 major Android upgrades — Samsung still has the edge on software longevity
✕No Samsung DeX or equivalent desktop mode
✕Smaller ecosystem, fewer accessories and integration partners
✕Nothing OS still maturing compared to One UI's feature depth
✕No Galaxy AI equivalent at the same depth
Samsung Galaxy S25 — Pros
✓Snapdragon 8 Elite — the most powerful Android chipset available
✓7 major Android OS upgrades — the longest software support in Android
✓Galaxy AI integration throughout One UI 8.5 (current as of June 2026)
✓Samsung DeX desktop mode for productivity on external displays
✓More compact 6.2-inch body — easier to use one-handed
✓Lighter at 162g
✓2600 nits peak display brightness
✓Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
✓USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort 1.2
✓Qi2 Ready wireless charging (15W)
✓Reverse wireless charging (4.5W)
Samsung Galaxy S25 — Cons
✕Official Samsung.com price starts at $799.99 — higher than Nothing Phone 3's current $599
✕Smaller 4000mAh battery compared to Nothing Phone 3
✕Only 25W wired charging — much slower than Nothing Phone 3's 65W
✕One UI can feel heavy and comes with more pre-installed apps
✕Design is conventional — no distinctive aesthetic like Glyph
✕No headphone jack
Best used for
✦Users who want a flagship phone that looks completely different from everything else
✦Anyone who values design, personality, and the Glyph Matrix notification system — pixel-based, not just strip LEDs
✦Photographers who want four 50MP cameras including a periscope telephoto and a 50MP selfie camera
✦Heavy users who need a large battery with fast 65W wired charging
✦Android enthusiasts who prefer a cleaner, less cluttered OS experience
✦Buyers who want to stand out with a transparent back design
✦Users who prefer a larger 6.67-inch display
Best used for
✦Users who want the most powerful Snapdragon chipset in a compact body
✦Samsung ecosystem users who use Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, or Galaxy Tab
✦Power users who need Samsung DeX to use their phone as a desktop
✦Anyone prioritizing the longest software support lifespan — 7 major Android upgrades
✦Users who want Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search, Note Assist, and Live Translate
✦People who prefer a smaller, lighter phone for everyday carry
✦Professionals who want a proven, reliable daily driver with a large support network
⚖️
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...
→You want a phone that stands out visually the transparent back and Glyph Matrix are unique
→Battery life and fast charging matter more than raw chip performance
→You prefer a larger 6.67-inch display
→You want four 50MP cameras including a 50MP selfie with a periscope telephoto
→You prefer a cleaner Android experience with less pre-installed software
→Budget is a consideration / $599 vs $799.99 for Samsung
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 if...
→You want the most powerful Android chipset currently available
→Maximum software longevity matters 7 major OS upgrades vs Nothing's 5
→You're already in the Samsung ecosystem with Galaxy Watch, Buds, or Tab
→You want Samsung DeX for desktop productivity
→You prefer a more compact, lighter 6.2-inch phone
→Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search matter to you
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: July 2026
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