Every year, new smartphones are released like clockwork, but we rarely see the debut of a phone device. However, this year is one of those rare times we get to as consumer electronics company Nothing unveils their very first Android smartphone, the Nothing Phone (1).
The Nothing Phone (1) may be Nothing’s first phone, but they are no strangers to the smartphone space. Nothing’s founder Carl Pei was also the man behind the OnePlus line of phones, a brand that has since garnered much popularity, particularly within the American and Chinese regions.
Despite the name, there’s undoubtedly something about the Phone (1) that makes it stand out from the crowd. The phone features a LED light system on its back in what the company calls the Glyph Interface. With 900 LEDs, the phone can generate unique light patterns for different use scenarios like app notifications, ringtones, charging status and more.
It’s an implementation meant to reduce screen time but still keep people up-to-date. The Flip to Glyph feature activates silent notifications via lights to alert users whenever they place the Phone (1) face down.
The Glyph Interface is only made possible with the unique design for Phone (1). For both its white and black versions, it uses a transparent Gorilla Glass back that allows users to see components besides the LED light system; the wireless charging coil is one of those that are visible.
The phone has also been designed to be environmentally conscious. For example, the frame is made out of 100% recycled aluminium, while over 50% of the phone’s plastic components use bio-based or post-consumer recycled materials.
Meanwhile, at the front, the Nothing Phone (1) has a 6.55-inch FHD+ OLED display capable of running an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and features a 10bit colour depth. The first thing on showcase for the display will be the Nothing OS, its proprietary operating system. The company has assured that the OS will have minimal pre-loaded apps to keep the Android experience as close to stock as possible.
Several features come as part of the Nothing OS experience. Those who have Nothing’s wireless earbuds, the Ear (1), will get a quick control menu for the earbuds and enable automatic updates for it. The OS will also have widgets to customise your home screen, with an additional NFT widget available that allows users to show off their collection in 5 different size variations. Prices can also be tracked on the home screen with the native NFT Gallery. Additionally, functionality with Tesla cars will also be available.
The insides will be much more familiar to consumers. For the processor, the Snapdragon 778G+ is being used within the phone. While it may not be the latest chipset available, the company explained that it was chosen for its reliability. Users will also be able to spec out the Nothing Phone (1) with up to 12GB of RAM to ensure that it runs tasks smoothly.
The Nothing Phone (1) has a rear two-camera setup that consists of a 50MP primary camera using a Sony IMX766 sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. Selfie shots, meanwhile, are taken with the phone’s 16MP front camera. Features like Night Mode and Scene Detection will also be included in the camera experience, and the Glyph Interface also helps to act as a fill light in place of a flash.
With the phone’s 4500mAh battery capacity, Nothing estimates users to get around 18 hours of use. However, should the battery run flat, you can fast charge the Phone (1) to 50% capacity in just half an hour. In addition to the aforementioned wireless charging capabilities, you can reverse charge other devices on it, like wireless earbuds.
Nothing’s Phone (1) will be making its way to Singapore on 13 August 2022 with three SKUs to choose from — 8GB/128GB (S$769), 8GB/256GB (S$869), and 12GB/256GB (S$949), as per their website.
Pre-orders for the phone are also available from now till 12 August 2022 at the following stores:
● M1
● Challenger
● Lazada
● Limited EDT
● Zym
It remains to be seen how the public takes to the Nothing Phone (1), but one thing is for sure, this phone is at least something distinct.
Photos by Russell Matthew Loh of the DANAMIC Team.
