With its July 1 launch approaching, new details about the Nothing Phone 3 have emerged. The upcoming device will feature robust, long-term Nothing Phone 3 software support, including seven years of security updates, and will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, positioning it as a compelling flagship contender.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: The Heart of the Nothing Phone 3
Nothing has officially confirmed its “first true flagship,” the Phone (3), will feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. This System-on-Chip (SoC) is a tier below the premium Snapdragon 8 Elite found in rivals like the Galaxy S25 series, OnePlus 13, and Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. This choice is potentially cost-driven, even as Nothing co-founder Carl Pei hinted at a flagship price around £800 (which might mean $799 in the US). Co-founder Akis Evangelidis explained on X the decision against using last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, citing its “weaker GPU, NPU, connectivity and ISP – and default software support is 4 & 4.” The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 notably enables Nothing to offer more extended software support.
Extended Software Lifespan: Five Years of OS, Seven Years of Security
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 allows Nothing to promise “5 & 7” support for Phone (3) users, as highlighted by Evangelidis. This translates to five years of major Android OS updates and a significant seven years of security updates. Consequently, owners can anticipate receiving new Android features and versions through 2030, while crucial security patches will safeguard the device until 2032, significantly enhancing its smartphone longevity. This commitment outpaces the average smartphone replacement cycle in the United States, which, according to Statista, is 2.67 years, positioning the Phone (3) favorably for the second-hand market with ongoing updates.
Competitive Standing in Software Support
Nothing’s “5 & 7” policy for the Phone (3) represents a strong offering for Android updates and user value, though it doesn’t quite lead the entire market. For instance, Apple is renowned for its extensive software support, with reports suggesting its upcoming iOS 26 could even support older devices like the six-year-old iPhone 11 series. In the Android ecosystem, key competitors, including Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series and Google’s Pixel 9 range, are expected to provide seven years of both OS and security updates. Thus, while Nothing’s approach is commendable and closes the gap, it does not yet match these top-tier update policies.
The Nothing Phone 3 is shaping up with its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and robust “5 & 7” Nothing Phone 3 software support. While not entirely matching top-tier flagships in update length or chipset, it’s emerging as a strong contender. The full picture of how close it truly gets to its rivals will be revealed at its July 1 launch.
