Nothing leaked about the Phone 3: did they just copy the iPhone 16 before it even existed?

It’s been almost a year since Nothing launched the Nothing Phone 2, so naturally, we’re expecting news of the Nothing Phone 3 soon. Recently, Nothing CEO Carl Pei tweeted a series of photos showcasing the updates to the Nothing Phone 3. Nothing OS user interface. Although the changes to the software were interesting in themselves, the people at Beebom were quick to notice that the phone featured in Pei’s photos could very well be the Nothing Phone 3.

The Phone 1, Phone 2, and the newer Phone 2a all sport three buttons: two volume rockers on the left side and a power button on the right. However, the phone in Pei’s photos clearly has an additional button on the right side, positioned just below the power button.

The function of this new button remains a mystery, but its presence is particularly intriguing given the rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 series. It is widely believed that Apple will also introduce a new button just below the power button on next-generation iPhones.

In Apple’s case, this new button would serve multiple functions, potentially acting as a dedicated camera shutter or camera launch button. There is also speculation that it could offer other customizable actions, perhaps related to Apple’s built-in AI features in the next iOS update.

Nothing’s recent announcement regarding the integration of ChatGPT into Nothing OS raises the possibility that this new button could serve a similar purpose, acting as a dedicated AI button for quick access to AI-based features.

It’s common for Nothing’s offerings to draw inspiration from Apple’s design aesthetic. But with the Nothing Phone 3 potentially hitting shelves before the iPhone 16, could this be the year Nothing can finally say, “Who’s copying who now?”

For now, details on the Nothing Phone 3 are scarce, but it is widely expected to feature a powerful Snapdragon 8-series chip, unique Glyph LED light enhancements, and a user experience overall improved. The timing of Pei’s tweets, which could be a deliberate move to generate hype, further suggests that the Phone 3 launch could be imminent.