The durability of the Nothing Phone (3) has fearsomely been challenged and the results will shock fans of bold phone designs. The Nothing Phone (1) teardown video, by popular tech YouTuber Zack Nelson of the JerryRigEverything channel, sees the handset taken apart to examine its level of repairability and durability. Such a deep teardown provides us a good look into how revolutionary new design affects the phone’s internal layout and long-term repairability.
Immediately the Nothing Phone (3) catches the eye with a smart, “deconstructed” design. Its glass back, adorned with an artistic representation of what a smartphone’s innards might look like, adds panache, but also complicates disassembly more than usual. Nevertheless, the durability of the Nothing Phone (3) is impressively high, given is dimensions being in line with most other high-end Android flagship devices.
One of the biggest features people seem to be talking about is the new Glyph Matrix, an interface with 489 individual LEDs. The ability to add moving parts means it’s an extra component that could be broken in a drop, but it’s tucked beneath a clear glass panel, which should keep it relatively safe over time. That affords it some added protection against the trials of daily use — replacing it is really no cinch, either. And nothing had to make the wireless charging coil more flexible so one side could bend to fit.
Especially the Essential Key, Nothing’s response to the OnePlus Plus Key, is a nice touch. Sadly, it comes covered in a glossy surface that gets scratched easily, as proved by a durability test by JerryRigEverything. Although the Nothing Phone (3) clears basic scratch, burn, and bend tests, such kinds of visible surface damage can be worrying for users who like to keep their devices in a pristine condition.
The camera bump rings are also raised, which could be a risk if you drop it. And while the 6.67-inch AMOLED display is gorgeous, it’s no less susceptible than any other flagship screen when paired against Mohs hardness picks.
Flaws and all, the Nothing Phone (3) durability and eco-friendly credentials are points in its favor. The company says it uses 80% recycled steel, 100% recycled aluminum and 100% renewable energy for the device. That gels with Nothing’s sustainability mission, even if the hardware specs — a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and a battery that tops out at 5,500mAh in India — don’t quite hit the same high-end targets.

Nothing Phone (3) Cell Phone, 2025 New 5G Unlocked
Phones 512GB, Android 15, Snapdragon 8s Gen4, AI Mobile Phones with Four 50MP Cameras & AMOLED Display, 5150mAh, Glyph Interface, Smartphone White
Still, while it retails at $799 on Amazon, the Nothing Phone (3) is substantially less expensive than most Android flagships, which routinely reach north of $1,000. That price, its decent durability and its unusual look all make it a notable option for someone who wants a nontraditional shape.
Handsets with similar curved wireless charging coils are rumored to appear in the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, so Nothing’s design might not be quite as out-there as it initially appears. The Nothing Phone (3) less than sturdy construction, though early skepticism is proof that the company isn’t just about good looks — it’s also about day-to-day utilisation.

