Nothing Phone 1 Pros and Cons Review

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Close-up of a smartphone with futuristic design alongside a SIM card and ejector tool on a gray surface.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a smartphone with futuristic design alongside a SIM card and ejector tool on a gray surface.

The Nothing Phone 1 has been making waves in the tech world with its unique design and impressive features. It boasts a 6.55-inch OLED display, which is a great size for watching videos and browsing the web.

One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone 1 is its transparent design, which allows for a glimpse of the internal components. This is made possible by the transparent back panel, which is a first for a smartphone.

The phone's design is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also functional. The transparent back panel allows for a unique lighting effect, which can be customized to suit individual preferences.

Design and Build

The Nothing Phone 1 has a sleek transparent design, featuring 900 small LEDs on the back that light up in sync with phone sounds.

This unique design is sure to turn heads, and it's not just for show - the Glyph Interface also displays the phone's charging status.

Check this out: Samsung Ativ S

Credit: youtube.com, Inside Phone (1) | Nothing Series #2

The phone's frame is made from recycled aluminum, with additional plastic components that are 50% made from bio-based or post-consumer recycled materials.

The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, and the phone itself is covered with Gorilla Glass 6 for added durability.

The Nothing Phone 1 has a premium feel, despite its affordable price, with flat aluminium rails and a sleek design that's reminiscent of high-end phones like the iPhone 12.

It's worth noting that the phone's design is not just visually appealing, but also functional, with an in-display fingerprint sensor for added security.

The phone comes in two sleek colors: white and black, making it easy to choose the perfect fit for your style.

Expand your knowledge: Motorola Edge S

Hardware and Performance

The Nothing Phone 1's hardware is a powerhouse, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ processor. This processor provides the brainpower needed for seamless performance.

The phone's display is a 6.5-inch 1080×2400 resolution punch hole screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which means it's super smooth to use. The screen can get as bright as 1200 nits, making it perfect for reading in the sun.

The battery life is also impressive, with a 4500 mAh battery that can charge from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes. This is thanks to the 33W charging, which is fast and efficient.

Hardware

Credit: youtube.com, How does Computer Hardware Work? 💻🛠🔬 [3D Animated Teardown]

The Phone (1) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ processor, making it a beast of a device.

The phone's display is a 6.5-inch 1080×2400 resolution punch hole screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, capable of getting as bright as 1200 nits and displaying 1 billion colors.

This screen is a real treat for gaming and video streaming, trust me, I've spent hours watching my favorite shows on it.

The battery life is impressive, with a 4500 mAh capacity that can charge from 0 to 50% in 30 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes, thanks to 33W charging.

You can also top up your phone wirelessly with 15W charging, or even use it to charge other devices with 5W reverse-wireless charging.

The phone supports Quick Charge 4.0 and Power Delivery 3.0 up to 33W, giving you plenty of options for fast charging.

The Phone (1) comes in three RAM and storage configurations: 8+128, 8+256, or 12+256, giving you plenty of choices to suit your needs.

And if you're worried about running out of memory, the phone has a RAM booster that can boost your 8 GB of RAM up to 20 GB, making it perfect for heavy users.

Price

Smartphone Taking Pictures
Credit: pexels.com, Smartphone Taking Pictures

The Nothing Phone (1) is a budget-friendly option, starting at £399 / AU$749 for the base model.

This price point is extremely competitive, but it's worth noting that the Sony Xperia 10 IV undercuts it by a fair amount.

The Nothing Phone (1) is equipped with a Snapdragon 778G+ processor, which is arguably Qualcomm's best for mid-range phones.

This processor is paired with 5G capabilities, ensuring smooth performance.

The base model comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, while higher-end models offer 8GB / 256GB and 12GB / 256GB configurations.

If you're outside the US, you can sign up for Nothing's Beta testing scheme for $299 to get an early adopter's version of the phone.

Software and Features

The Nothing Phone (1) runs on Nothing OS, a custom Android skin developed by Nothing. Nothing OS is based on Linux and was first released in July 2022 as version 1.0, based on Android 12.

The operating system is designed to provide a fast, smooth, and personal experience, with tweaks to ensure it's near-stock Android. Nothing claims that Nothing OS is bloatware-free, with only a few manufacturer-modified apps.

Nothing OS has received regular updates, with the latest version being 3.0, released in December 2024. This update brings Android 15 and various new features, including shared widgets and improved quick settings.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Tizen Os Apps

Features

Credit: youtube.com, Nothing OS 4.0: All The New Features in Action!

The Nothing Phone (1) has a lot to offer in terms of features. It boasts a Glyph interface, a series of LED light strips on the back of the phone that can act as a notification light, a camera flash, and even a battery charging indicator.

The phone's camera setup is also impressive, with two 50MP cameras, one standard main lens, and a secondary ultra-wide lens. The phone also features a 16MP "hole-punch" style single front camera for unlocking via facial recognition.

The Nothing Phone (1) has a 6.55-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 (402ppi) and a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It's a big, bright, and responsive display that feels like the sweet spot at this price.

The phone runs Android 12 (dubbed Nothing OS) out of the box, with an update to Android 13 just around the corner. Nothing OS is a fairly stripped-back version of the Google operating system, but it takes on a lot of Nothing's edgy aesthetic.

Worth a look: Camera Phone

Credit: youtube.com, Software Features Overview

The Nothing Phone (1) has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ processor, which should be more than capable of handling everyday needs while also giving you access to that superfast 5G network.

Here are some key features of the Nothing Phone (1):

  • 6.55-inch OLED display with 1080 x 2400 (402ppi) resolution
  • Buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate
  • 2 x 50MP cameras (standard main lens and ultra-wide lens)
  • 16MP "hole-punch" style single front camera
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ processor
  • 5G network support
  • Nothing OS (based on Android 12)

The Nothing Phone (1) also features in-screen fingerprint scanning, IP58 water resistance, and fast charging, all of which add up to this phone feeling surprisingly feature-packed for its price.

Cost

The Nothing Phone 1 is a great value for its price. It costs £399 in the UK, which is a very affordable price considering its specs.

You're getting a decent-performing phone for a good price. The price converts directly to $475 or AU$700, which puts it around the same price as the 2022 iPhone SE or the upcoming Google Pixel 6A.

See what others are reading: Infinix Note 11 Price in Pakistan

Release and Reception

Nothing Phone 1 was initially released exclusively in the UK on O2 and Germany on Deutsche Telekom.

Pre-orders for the UK and Germany began on June 24, 2022, via invitation only, with private community members getting priority.

Customers who wanted to pre-order the phone had to pay £20/€20 to reserve the phone by July.

Intriguing read: Realme Narzo 20 Pro

Release

Credit: youtube.com, RECEPTION AND RELEASE PROCEDURE

The release of the Phone (1) was a carefully planned process. Nothing partnered with O2 in the UK, Deutsche Telekom in Germany, and Flipkart in India to release the phone exclusively in these countries.

Pre-orders for the UK and Germany began on June 24, 2022, via invitation only, with private community members getting priority. Customers who wanted to pre-order the phone had to pay £20/€20 to purchase it by July.

The company confirmed that the Phone (1) would not be released in North America, despite plans to release a smartphone for the market. Instead, the phone will be distributed to private investors through a closed beta program.

In January 2023, Nothing announced a US launch as a beta program to test the release of Android 13 on the device. Beta members will pay $299 and receive a phone with limited connectivity on US networks.

Consider reading: Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Reception

The reception of this phone was a mixed bag. Engadget gave it a rating of 88/100, praising the attention to detail in the phone.

Many early purchasers experienced issues with green tinting and dead pixels on their screens.

Reviews and Verdict

Credit: youtube.com, Nothing Phone (1) full review

The Nothing Phone (1) has been a long time coming, but it's finally here. Carl Pei, the company's CEO, has introduced the world to this innovative device.

Dropping a phone is a common occurrence, and it's impressive that one user has had their Nothing Phone (1) for two years with no lag, still running smoothly.

The Nothing Phone (1) offers a unique user experience and feature set that's worth considering for your next smartphone, according to What Hi-Fi?

Review

The Nothing Phone (1) has been making waves in the tech world, and for good reason. It's been in the rumor mill for months, and the wait is finally over.

The phone's unique user experience and feature set make it stand out from the competition. Nothing's first phone is definitely worth considering for your next smartphone.

Despite being dropped multiple times, one user's phone still runs smoothly after two years without any lag. That's impressive durability.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the phone's performance and feature set.

Take a look at this: Feature Phone

Cons

Modern smartphone with a blank screen placed on a minimalist white surface, ideal for design mockups.
Credit: pexels.com, Modern smartphone with a blank screen placed on a minimalist white surface, ideal for design mockups.

The Nothing Phone (1) isn't perfect, and here are some of its drawbacks.

The sound from its speakers is weak, making it less enjoyable for music and video streaming.

It's also facing stiff competition from other brands, which might make it harder for Nothing to stand out in the market.

Here are the cons of the Nothing Phone (1) in a nutshell:

  • -Weak sound from speakers
  • -Up against tough competition

Purchase and Timing

The Nothing Phone 1 launched in the UK and Europe on Tuesday, marking its initial release.

The phone's US availability is still uncertain, but it's likely to happen once Nothing finds a carrier to partner with to make its 5G bands compatible.

If you're in the UK or Europe, you can already get your hands on the Nothing Phone 1.

If you're in the market for a new phone, it's worth considering recent devices in the same price range as the Nothing Phone (1).

An Elderly Woman in White Jacket Talking on the Phone
Credit: pexels.com, An Elderly Woman in White Jacket Talking on the Phone

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a popular recent phone that costs $429.00, making it a great option to consider.

When shopping around, you may also want to take a look at the Apple iPhone 15, which is priced at $402.15, and the Apple iPhone 16e, which costs $423.94.

The Google Pixel 9a is another option to consider, priced at $404.50, while the Oppo A5 is available for $409.00.

Here are some popular recent phones in the same price range as the Nothing Phone (1):

  • Samsung Galaxy S25: $429.00
  • Apple iPhone 15: $402.15
  • Apple iPhone 16e: $423.94
  • Google Pixel 9a: $404.50
  • Oppo A5: $409.00

Should I Buy?

The Nothing Phone 1 is a solid choice for those looking for a decent overall experience without breaking the bank.

The phone's design might not be to everyone's taste, but it stands out from the crowd.

The affordable price is a major selling point, making it a great option for those on a budget.

The Phone 1 isn't trying to compete with high-end flagships like the iPhone 13 Pro or the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Persom Holding Black Android Smartphone and 2 1 U.s. Dollar
Credit: pexels.com, Persom Holding Black Android Smartphone and 2 1 U.s. Dollar

The phone's stripped-back interface and solid specs make it a great value for its price.

We're testing the phone to see how it performs against the competition, but so far, it seems like a great choice for those looking for a more affordable option.

The phone launched in the UK and Europe first, with a possible US launch to follow once Nothing finds a carrier to partner with.

The Nothing Ear 1 buds, the company's first product, share a similar aesthetic with the Phone 1, featuring transparent elements that show the inner workings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nothing a Chinese phone?

Nothing is a British consumer electronics manufacturer, not a Chinese phone, despite its co-founder's background with a Chinese smartphone maker. Its London base is a key part of its identity.

What is so special in nothing phone?

Nothing Phone offers a streamlined user experience with bespoke features and seamless third-party integrations, free from unnecessary bloatware

Wm Kling

Lead Writer

Wm Kling is a seasoned writer with a passion for technology and innovation. With a strong background in software development, Wm brings a unique perspective to his writing, making complex topics accessible to a wide range of readers. Wm's expertise spans the realm of Visual Studio web development, where he has written in-depth articles and guides to help developers navigate the latest tools and technologies.

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