If you thought Nothing was just about see-through headphones, think again. Its latest product- a smartphone, by the way – has just landed in the UAE and it’s already causing quite a stir.
Not many tech startups can claim to have their inaugural products sold out within seconds of launch, let alone command a premium on secondary markets like eBay. Nothing, co-founded by OnePlus mastermind Carl Pei, seems to have perfected the recipe for hype.
Now, the burning question is whether this Nothing smartphone can live up to its high-riding reputation. Spoiler alert: the price is surprisingly not that steep, and the phone ticks a lot of the right boxes.
The design of the phone gives a generous nod to the iPhone 13. It has a boxy aesthetic with flat back and sides, and the frame is composed of 100 per cent recycled aluminum. It’s splash and dust-resistant, and there’s a nifty fingerprint reader tucked neatly under the screen. The pièce de résistance, though, is the transparent back, which lays bare the hardware within.
The Nothing Phone 1 really outshines its competitors (quite literally) with a truly standout feature: over 900 tiny white LEDs that light up up on notifications, charging, or connecting your headphones. You can even choreograph a light show for specific contacts.
The screen doesn’t disappoint either. The 6.55-inch display offers a 2400×1080 resolution with HDR10+ playback support and a brightness of 1200 nits, making it perfect for the sunny climes of Dubai. Plus, the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate ensures silky smooth scrolling.
When it comes to cameras, the Nothing phone is no slouch either. With two 50MP sensors (with optical image stabilisation on the main lens), it captures photos that are impressive in well-lit conditions.
However, as with all things, there are a few minor caveats. The phone doesn’t pack the most high-end processor, opting for a specially-tuned Snapdragon 778G+. Coupled with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, it runs Android smoothly and handles everyday tasks with ease. But the battery life isn’t the longest, and gaming might cause some stutters.
In summary, the Nothing phone is indeed something to be reckoned with, especially for its price point. The screen, cameras, and build quality punch above their weight, while the LEDs add a sprinkle of uniqueness.
The performance and battery life might not be stellar, but when you’re getting all this at a third of the price of an Apple or Samsung flagship, you can’t help but feel like you’ve scored a deal.