GoKawiil
Tech News
Amazon is selling the Nothing Phone 3 for $599, a 25% cut from its $799 list price. The phone features a 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, a triple 50MP rear camera system with periscope telephoto, and a roughly 5,000mAh battery with wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Nothing has opened its Android 17-based OS 5.0 beta to three more devices: the Phone 4a, Phone 3a Pro, and Phone 3a. The update brings a visual overhaul with a new Geist typeface, redesigned Settings and Camera apps, split notification panels, transparent widgets, and more customization options. Users have only one week to enroll before the beta window closes, after which they must wait for the stable release expected in early November.
Nothing's debut over-ear headphones, the Headphone 1, are now selling for $224.99 on Amazon, down from their $299 list price. The headphones use custom 40mm drivers co-tuned with KEF, support LDAC and wired USB-C/3.5mm audio, and offer adaptive ANC, spatial audio with head tracking, and multipoint Bluetooth. Battery life reaches up to 35 hours with noise cancellation on and 80 hours with it off.
WIRED's latest roundup of open-ear headphones tests options across price points, including the Nothing Ear (Open) at $99, JLab Epic Open Sport at $100, EarFun Clip at $70, Shokz OpenFit Pro at $250, and the Suunto Wing 2 at $179. The reviewer is also currently testing the newer, cheaper Shokz OpenRun Air 2 as a potential budget alternative to pricier models.
Google has published details on how it designed its new Noto 3D emoji set, first unveiled at I/O in May, and confirmed which manufacturers will bring it to their phones. Partners include Nothing, Lenovo, Xiaomi, OPPO, OnePlus, realme, vivo, iQOO, HONOR, TECNO, Infinix, itel, and Motorola, alongside stock Android 17 devices like the Pixel 11. Samsung is notably absent, as it maintains its own emoji designs.
Nothing CEO Carl Pei has responded to speculation that the upcoming Phone 4b is actually a rebranded CMF device rather than a genuine Nothing product. Pei clarified that the Phone 4b is instead a direct successor to the Phone 3a Lite, positioning it within Nothing's existing budget lineup rather than its sister sub-brand CMF.
Reviewers compared the Galaxy S24 against three newly released mid-range rivals—Google's Pixel 10a, Nothing's Phone 4a Pro, and Samsung's own Galaxy A37 5G—all priced near $450-$500. Each offers a distinct edge, from the Pixel's long software support and camera software to the Nothing phone's larger screen and periscope zoom, to the A37's battery life and display quality within Samsung's own lineup.
Android Authority argues that Samsung's new Galaxy S26 FE, now priced at $700 after a $50 increase, faces stiff competition despite carrying flagship-level performance with some cost-cutting on materials. The outlet points to alternatives including the Google Pixel 11, Pixel 10a, Samsung's own Galaxy S26, the Motorola Edge (2026), and the Nothing Phone 4a Pro as options worth weighing first. A reader poll cited in the piece shows the Galaxy S26 and Motorola Edge drawing the most votes as preferred alternatives.
Nothing has relaunched its Community Review Program, inviting fans to apply for early access to its upcoming hardware and software. The London-based phone maker is especially seeking applicants skilled in 3D animation, graphic design, sound production, or reviewing, though it welcomes any enthusiastic tech fan. Selected members must share first impressions, post creative content, and publish full reviews once products officially launch, with applications open until September 10, 2026.
In a Reddit AMA, Nothing CEO Carl Pei addressed criticism over the Phone 2's software support and monetization practices. He confirmed the Phone 2 will stop receiving major Android updates after Android 16, saying its aging chipset and kernel can't support Android 17, but insisted the company met its original promise of three major OS updates. Pei also conceded that pre-installed apps and games on Nothing devices have gone too far and need rebalancing.
A startup founded by former Nothing employees showcased the Relay Q, a small handheld AI microphone, at IFA Berlin. The device lets users dictate text or issue voice commands quietly by holding down its tip, double-click to send messages, and can detach into a wearable pin that clips to clothing via magnet.
Nothing has revealed early plans for Nothing OS 5.1, a minor update that will let users remap the Essential Key found on some of its phones, currently tied to the Essential Space app. The company also confirmed it's beginning work on a larger Nothing OS 6.0 release planned for 2027, while Nothing OS 5.0 remains in beta on the Phone 3 ahead of a stable rollout expected in mid-October.