Comparative Analysis: Nothing Phone (3), Galaxy S25, and iPhone 16

In the fiercely competitive smartphone market, the launch of Nothing's Phone (3) marks a significant entry at a price point of $799, directly challenging established titans like Samsung's Galaxy S25 and Apple's iPhone 16. Released on July 4, 2025, for pre-orders and available from July 15, 2025, the Phone (3) aims to carve out a niche with its unique design and specifications, despite criticisms regarding its performance in comparison to its rivals.

The Phone (3), spearheaded by Nothing's co-founder Carl Pei, features a distinct transparent back panel and a Glyph Matrix display comprising 489 LEDs. This model is equipped with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which, while competent, is regarded as a mid-range chipset rather than a flagship-grade option. The device boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,800 x 1,260 pixels, which is the largest among the three contenders but uses an LTPS panel, limiting its refresh rate capabilities to between 30Hz and 120Hz (Mehrotra, 2025).

In contrast, the Galaxy S25, launched in January 2025, showcases a more robust Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, heralded for its superior performance and enhanced capabilities. The S25 sports a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 2,600 nits and a dynamic refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing a more adaptive user experience. Furthermore, it incorporates advanced features such as mmWave 5G support and a more extensive software update policy, promising up to seven years of updates (Mehrotra, 2025).

Apple's iPhone 16, introduced in September 2024, rounds out the trio with its A18 chip, which is praised for its efficiency and performance. The iPhone is equipped with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing excellent color accuracy and brightness, albeit with a fixed 60Hz refresh rate. Apple's ecosystem, alongside its extensive software support, remains a significant draw for consumers (Mehrotra, 2025).

All three smartphones offer a triple-camera setup, with the Nothing Phone (3) leading with a 50MP primary sensor and advanced features like 4K Ultra XDR recording. The Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 also deliver impressive camera capabilities, with the S25 supporting 8K video recording, while the iPhone focuses on computational photography features such as 4K Cinematic Mode (Mehrotra, 2025).

When assessing battery life, the Phone (3) again stands out with its 5,150 mAh capacity and fast charging capabilities, although its actual longevity in daily use remains to be fully evaluated. The Galaxy S25 offers a capacity of 4,000 mAh, and the iPhone 16 has the smallest at 3,561 mAh, yet all devices promise adequate performance for daily use (Mehrotra, 2025).

Overall, the Nothing Phone (3) presents an intriguing alternative with its unique design and pricing strategy. However, it faces considerable challenges from the more established Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16, which offer superior performance, more extensive software support, and robust ecosystems. Consumers will need to consider their priorities—design versus performance, unique features versus proven capabilities—when choosing among these flagship devices. As the smartphone landscape continues to evolve, the competition between these brands will likely intensify, shaping future innovations in the industry.