Nothing Phone 3 Leak Reveals Upper Mid-Range Specs, Not True Flagship Status

Nothing Phone 3: Latest Leak Confirms Key Specifications

Excitement is building as Nothing prepares to launch its highly anticipated Nothing Phone 3 on July 1. While we’ve already seen early renders and pricing details for select markets, a fresh leak has now revealed which chipset will power Nothing’s latest smartphone, providing a clearer picture of its real capabilities.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Processor Confirmed

Reliable tipster Yogesh Brar has reported that the Nothing Phone 3 will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. While this is a premium chipset from Qualcomm, it falls short of the brand’s ultimate Snapdragon 8 Elite, indicating that the Phone 3 will offer a robust yet not entirely flagship-level experience. Tech enthusiasts can expect high performance in most day-to-day scenarios, but those seeking the absolute best specifications may notice a few trade-offs.

Breakdown of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Features

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 brings an intriguing CPU layout to the table: one Cortex-X4 core running at 3.2GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 3GHz, two more Cortex-A720s at 2.8GHz, and two at 2GHz. Notably, this architecture excludes lower-powered CPU cores, promising stronger multi-core performance than what we saw with last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, the omission of Qualcomm’s powerful Oryon CPU technology means it won’t match the processing speed or efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Enhanced Graphics, AI, and Connectivity

Despite these compromises, the 8s Gen 4 offers key enhancements: an Adreno GPU with a “sliced” architecture for efficient graphics rendering (now with two slices instead of three), a next-generation NPU that’s 44% faster than its predecessor, and support for 4K/30fps low-light video and real-time segmentation in both photos and videos. Connectivity is cutting-edge, with Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, and XPAN technology, which enables higher-quality wireless audio with compatible headphones over Wi-Fi—potentially a perfect fit for the upcoming Nothing Headphone 1.

What’s Missing Compared to True Flagships?

However, some high-end features are absent. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 skips 8K video recording, 4K/120fps slow-motion video, and mmWave 5G connectivity. While these are niche for many users, their absence underscores that the Nothing Phone 3, though powerful, is positioned as a premium mid-range device rather than an all-out flagship. Users should consider their specific needs, as for most, the enhanced multitasking, AI processing, and fast wireless connections will deliver strong value.

Market Position and Use Cases

The Nothing Phone 3 looks set to compete strongly against other mid-to-high-end Android smartphones, focusing on delivering impressive performance, advanced connectivity, and unique design at an attractive price point. For users who don’t demand the absolute cutting edge but still want a stylish device packed with modern features, the Phone 3 could hit a sweet spot when it arrives this July.