BLU Bold N3 vs. Nothing Phone (1): A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the BLU Bold N3 emerges as the winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset offers a slight edge in CPU performance, coupled with significantly faster 66W charging. However, the Nothing Phone (1) retains appeal for those valuing wireless charging and a more refined software experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | BLU Bold N3 | Nothing Phone (1) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, July | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2022, July 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 74.7 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 39 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 70 min 15W wireless 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4700 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh (17.42 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Sage Green | White, Black |
| Models | - | A063 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | $ 539.00 / £ 234.77 / € 249.95 / ₹ 17,990 |
| SAR | - | 1.29 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
BLU Bold N3
- Faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially better CPU performance with Dimensity 7050
- Aggressive price point (likely)
- Missing display specifications
- Camera details are unknown
Nothing Phone (1)
- Wireless charging support (15W)
- Unique Glyph Interface
- Measured 663 nits peak brightness
- Slower 33W wired charging
- Potentially lower CPU performance
- Higher price point (likely)
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (1) boasts a measured peak brightness of 663 nits, providing good visibility in most conditions. While the BLU Bold N3’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be comparable in brightness given its market positioning. The Nothing Phone (1)'s display technology isn't specified as LTPO, meaning it lacks the variable refresh rate for power efficiency. Both phones likely utilize standard OLED panels, but the Nothing Phone (1)'s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications for the BLU Bold N3 are unavailable. The Nothing Phone (1) offers a dual-camera system, but details on sensor sizes and apertures are needed for a thorough comparison. Without this information, it’s difficult to assess the camera capabilities of the BLU Bold N3. The Nothing Phone (1)'s camera is capable of both photo and video recording, but its overall image quality is dependent on its sensor and image processing algorithms, which remain unspecified in the provided data.
Performance
The BLU Bold N3’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) features a dual-core Cortex-A78 setup clocked at 2.6 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Nothing Phone (1) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) with a single 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 core, three 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and four 1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While the Snapdragon 778G+ has more A78 cores, the higher clock speed of the Dimensity 7050’s primary cores suggests a slight advantage in single-core performance. Both chips are built on a 6nm process, offering good efficiency, but the Dimensity 7050’s newer architecture may provide a marginal edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (1) had an endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating solid battery life. The BLU Bold N3’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 66W wired charging capability is a significant advantage. The Nothing Phone (1) supports 33W wired charging, taking 70 minutes for a full charge, alongside 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging. The BLU Bold N3 achieves a full charge in just 39 minutes, making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery. This faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Bold N3 if you need maximum performance for your dollar, prioritize rapid charging speeds, and aren't heavily invested in wireless charging ecosystems. Buy the Nothing Phone (1) if you prefer a distinctive design, appreciate the convenience of wireless charging (15W), and value the unique Glyph Interface and Nothing OS software experience.