Nothing phone 3 - first impressions

[timbo343]

After having a secondhand S10 for nearly 5 years and the battery now only lasting half a day, I was in the market for a new phone - something with decent ish battery, wireless charging and not too pricey (buy out right).

 

I was swaying towards the POCO F7 Ultra but after reading numerous reviews about how bad the HyperOS and how bloatwarey it is, it put me off, so next on the list was the Nothing Phone 3 because it was on EE Sim Free for £548 and didn't think it was bad, along with all the positive reviews on them.

 

So it arrived yesterday and i'm finding all the faults with it, mainly the NothingOS. Having been a samsung user for 12 years, first having a S3 then S6, S7, S10, the change to a new OS is taking it's toll.

 

First off, no double tap on the screen when the phone is locked, yet there is a single tap option, yet there is a double tap on the screen to lock the phone - annoying!

 

Secondly, when the phone is locked, i'm still able to toggle on and off the mobile data, wifi, bluetooth, and a few other features. Am I missing the point if a "lock screen"

 

Thirdly, the stupid "essentials" button placed under the power button on the right of the phone, that has no ability to disable it's function and if you want to remap the button, you run the risk of voiding the warranty.

 

The Glyphy thing on the back of the phone is purely a gimick too.

 

I dunno, part of me wants to send it back, yet most of the phone that are spec'd to what i want are in a higher price range. Part of me feels like i'm being picky 🫤

[icechris]

Google are advertising some sort of special event happening on the 27th Sept to celebrate turning 27 so there might be some decent discounts on the Pixel range. The 9a is £499 at the moment and I'm pretty sure the 8a was under £300 in their last big sale earlier in the year. 

[andy_b]

On 19/09/2025 at 20:39, timbo343 said:

Secondly, when the phone is locked, i'm still able to toggle on and off the mobile data, wifi, bluetooth, and a few other features. Am I missing the point if a "lock screen"

 

That might be default Android behaviour - my Pixel 7 does the same.

[LeMarchand]

48 minutes ago, icechris said:

Google are advertising some sort of special event happening on the 27th Sept to celebrate turning 27 so there might be some decent discounts on the Pixel range. The 9a is £499 at the moment and I'm pretty sure the 8a was under £300 in their last big sale earlier in the year. 

Thanks. In the market for a new phone atm. Quite like the idea of a Pixel, but £200 is my limit.

[TheHyperTechie]

3 minutes ago, LeMarchand said:

Thanks. In the market for a new phone atm. Quite like the idea of a Pixel, but £200 is my limit.

If your budget can stretch by £19, I would have a look at the CMF Phone 2 Pro as well. 🙂

[LeMarchand]

10 minutes ago, HyperTech said:

If your budget can stretch by £19, I would have a look at the CMF Phone 2 Pro as well. 🙂

It would, but no wireless charging. Could get a grey - sorry, Grisaille, Moto Edge 50 Neo for £229 but annoyed that I keep missing it when it and the now OOS blue drop to £149. Also, the 60 has a bigger screen (but likely to be much more expensive).

[jmak]

I've gone to Pixels for the early security updates and long (7 year) support. 

 

I'd be tempted by this if I was looking for a new phone now:

 

https://www.voxi.co.uk/phones/google/pixel-10

 

Or the 9a for £10/month

Edited September 22, 2025 by jmak

[Danp]

Since I got my Pixel 8, I don't think I'd have a different brand phone again. Been so pleased with it that after nearly 2 years, for the first time, I'm not itching to change for something fresh. Even after Google Store emailed me various offers that would have meant getting the 10 (not pro) for £280 after trade in and store credit.

[kennysarmy]

Giff Gaff do a decent set of refurbished phones. 

[mrstrong]

also looking for something under £200, maybe a old / refurb pixel with a custom rom ?

[LeMarchand]

36 minutes ago, mrstrong said:

also looking for something under £200, maybe a old / refurb pixel with a custom rom ?

You can get an "as new" 7a on eBay for well <£200. Should still get up to Android 18 (I think).

[mrstrong]

not really used ebay for a while, my son said try https://www.backmarket.co.uk/ they seem to offer

stuff in condition rated as fair, good, excellent, premium

Has anyone used them / can comment on condition e.g. is it worth paying the extra for excellent / premium ?

[TwistedHelixis]

Had Samsung and a few other random makes, but Google Pixel is my favorite.

 

The Wifi on off while its locked is the default, but I seem to remember you can change those settings, perhaps that's just on Pixel.

[TechMonkey]

10 minutes ago, mrstrong said:

not really used ebay for a while, my son said try https://www.backmarket.co.uk/ they seem to offer

stuff in condition rated as fair, good, excellent, premium

Has anyone used them / can comment on condition e.g. is it worth paying the extra for excellent / premium ?

Had a few staff use it and not have problems.  Even had one member of management say we should buy devices from there, while I wouldn't go that far it does seem a good service.

[LeMarchand]

2 hours ago, mrstrong said:

not really used ebay for a while, my son said try https://www.backmarket.co.uk/ they seem to offer

stuff in condition rated as fair, good, excellent, premium

Has anyone used them / can comment on condition e.g. is it worth paying the extra for excellent / premium ?

I was recommended backmarket by a member of staff but didn't find the prices that keen and would rather buy (hopefully) new where you shouldn't have to worry about how the battery has been treated.

 

On the sub-£200 front how about a Motorola G75? They are supposed to offer security updates to 2030 though I couldn't find a definite answer as to whether that includes OS updates. Due to get 16 at least. Downsides for me would be colours and LCD screen.

[LeMarchand]

On 23/09/2025 at 14:22, mrstrong said:

also looking for something under £200, maybe a old / refurb pixel with a custom rom ?

 

Motorola Edge 50 Neo in Grisaille (grey) for £200 and you can get 10% EDU discount with a payslip bringing it to £180?

[TwistedHelixis]

6 minutes ago, LeMarchand said:

 

Motorola Edge 50 Neo in Grisaille (grey) for £200 and you can get 10% EDU discount with a payslip bringing it to £180?

Is there a reason its discounted from £400.

 

I know nothing about this phone is it an old one?

 

Do they change the OS much from stock?

[LeMarchand]

1 minute ago, TwistedHelixis said:

Is there a reason its discounted from £400.

 

I know nothing about this phone is it an old one?

 

Do they change the OS much from stock?

 

The Edge 60 Neo is imminent and they seem to be clearing out stock. The coloured versions went down to £149 and rapidly reappeared on eBay. That said, the 50 is still priced at well above £200 in a lot of places. It was released in August 2024 but said to be due security updates until 2029 and should go to Android 19. Apparently there is a bit of bloatware but it's reasonably close to stock. https://www.techradar.com/phones/motorola-phones/motorola-edge-50-neo-review

 

Only downside for me, apart from I'd have preferred the blue one, is that I was hoping for a larger screen. That said, it's close to my current phone which was considered HUGE when I bought it.

[TwistedHelixis]

4 minutes ago, LeMarchand said:

 

The Edge 60 Neo is imminent and they seem to be clearing out stock. The coloured versions went down to £149 and rapidly reappeared on eBay. That said, the 50 is still priced at well above £200 in a lot of places. It was released in August 2024 but said to be due security updates until 2029 and should go to Android 19. Apparently there is a bit of bloatware but it's reasonably close to stock. https://www.techradar.com/phones/motorola-phones/motorola-edge-50-neo-review

 

Only downside for me, apart from I'd have preferred the blue one, is that I was hoping for a larger screen. That said, it's close to my current phone which was considered HUGE when I bought it.

Thanks for the info. Think I might grab one myself.

[LeMarchand]

5 hours ago, TwistedHelixis said:

Thanks for the info. Think I might grab one myself.

 

If not too late (like it is for me) the 512GB version is £199 from EE. Not sure if it's carrier locked, but I'm telling myself it must be! https://ee.co.uk/products/motorola-edge-50-neo-sim-free