Nothing’s new Phone 3 will be available on general sale in the US

The innovative smartphone startup, Nothing, is gearing up to release its latest flagship, the Nothing Phone (3), for general sale in the United States. According to exclusive information from TechCrunch, the device will be available on the company’s official website and Amazon starting next month. This marks a significant milestone for Nothing, which has launched eight smartphones since its founding in 2020, with only the Phone (2) previously offered for sale in the U.S. market. Before this launch, consumers could only purchase the device through a beta program, which lacked after-sales support but allowed for returns within a 14-day window for a full refund. Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing and co-founder of OnePlus, emphasized the strategic importance of the Phone (3) release, stating, "We have always said we are building for the long term, and now we’re ready to take that next step in the U.S. Phone (3) is not just another launch; it signifies our growth as a company." Pei highlighted the overwhelming demand for alternatives to the dominant players, such as Apple and Samsung, asserting that many consumers are eager for something fresh. With the Phone (3), Nothing aims to capitalize on this opportunity with a more focused approach. The device will support AT&T and T-Mobile networks, offering multi-band compatibility for both 4G and 5G, a significant improvement over previous models, which had limited carrier support. In addition to its U.S. launch, Nothing is partnering with Best Buy in Canada to sell the Phone (3) alongside its new over-ear headphones, the Headphone (1), marking its first retail foray in the region. Pei has teased that the Phone (3) will boast premium materials, extensive performance enhancements, and advanced software capabilities, with a projected price around £800, potentially translating to approximately $1,000 in the U.S. This pricing puts it in direct competition with high-end models like the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25+. Research firm Counterpoint Research indicates that Nothing's shipments are expected to be in the low-single-digit millions for 2024, with India being its largest market. Maurice Klaehne, a senior research analyst at the firm, noted that while companies like Google and Motorola have gained some traction in the U.S. premium device market, the landscape is still largely dominated by Samsung and Apple. He acknowledged that Pei's former company, OnePlus, also faces challenges with low shipment volumes in the U.S., suggesting that Nothing has a tough road ahead in this competitive market. So far, Nothing has successfully raised over $250 million through various funding rounds.