I’ve tried Nothing Phone (1) and it’s a breath of fresh air, coherence and common sense beyond the design.

The good work that has characterized OnePlus for years – co-founded by Carl Pei, who now runs Nothing – added to the impression the company made with its first product, the Nothing Ears (1) – and hype which they themselves were able to create, did Nothing Phone (1) is without a doubt one of the most anticipated phones of the year..

I must admit that curious to see such an effect around a product that is not upscale, which usually bring with them the most disruptive technologies and therefore generate the most interest. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve that kind of attention, because this Nothing Phone (1) tries to do things differently than the rest in many ways.

At the time, I was criticizing the direction the telephone industry was taking, with many nearly identical products in both performance and design. Except in special cases – especially in the highest ranges – most products that hit the market have no soul or finesse. The focus is on offering the best components at the lowest possible price. And, in the end, they all converge at one point.

This Nichtophone (1) fortunately eludes that. D he does it with things like his design which is clearly unmistakable, different and own. Its rear end is unmistakable even at a cursory glance. And, in addition to being attractive, it is key for a new brand like Nothing that needs to get as much attention as possible.

That rear, by the way, it’s not just glass that lets you see the circuitry. In fact, no chip is visible. All components are covered with elaborate plates, giving Nothing Phone (1) a unique look. And, if you look closely, you understand that everything is done with great care: the texture of the plates, the screws that fasten the parts, the absence of visible glue… There is a harmony in everything, which is not easy to achieve.

This, in fact, is not surprising, since the Ear of Nothing (1) also reflected it. They were transparent, but elegant and discreet. A much more difficult task than just putting down a glass and seeing the whole interior.

Also, in the hand, the Nothing Phone (1) feels pretty well built and also light despite its size. It’s one of those products that you enjoy holding in your hand even when you’re not using it, simply because of the feel it conveys.

Nothing, however, stopped there. This is also implemented in Nothing Phone (1) row of LEDs that light up to alert you to notifications, battery status, or even act as a contour light when taking a picture. When it’s lit, practicality aside, it’s quite attractive. And, as I said, this is one of the tasks of this phone: to be recognizable and attract attention.

Good design details are visible in other things as well. Example: The bezels around the screen are symmetrical and thin. This is something that even high-end Android phones don’t offer. And the fact that Nothing in the product of this category took care of it, another example of this phone aiming to do things differently. This is a typical detail that most brands don’t care about, but if you’re a perfectionist, you’ll really appreciate it.

The same can be said about touching the buttons, the size and position of which, by the way, are reminiscent of the iPhone 13, as well as software. Nothing from the OS is an unambiguous sign of consistency. Simple, with homogeneous interfaces, without viruses and the few extras the brand has included are useful. This philosophy reminds me a bit of the original Moto X or the early years of OnePlus.

Nothing Phone Features (1)

Phone Nothing (1) stands out for its common sense

Apart from the design, which is one of the main features of this phone, Nothing Phone (1) is a mid-range phone. Nonetheless, trying to stand out with an approach that I think makes more sense. Instead of focusing on offering the most powerful processor at the lowest possible price, as most do, Nothing has tried to put together a more balanced package.

In particular, it took a step back on the processor – it installs one of the 7 series instead of one of the 8 series, as the Poco F4 GT does, which is in the same price range – but pays more attention to other aspects that, in my opinion, have a greater impact on the user experience and that other manufacturers are often not as careful.

For example: has an OLED display with a frequency of 120 Hz which promises to achieve 1200 nits of brightness in certain situations, has a Sony IMX766 main photo sensor, has wireless and reverse charging, has an under-screen fingerprint sensor and, as I mentioned earlier, has a decidedly distinctive design.

Another sign of common sense is that it only has two cameras on the back. No low-res macro cameras and the like, the sole purpose of which is to extend the list of features for marketing purposes – because their quality usually leaves much to be desired. The brand chose to mount only those that make real sense: the main and wide-angle with the ability to act as a macro. And, moreover, with sensors that can give good results within their range.

In terms of battery life, the Nothing Phone (1) has 4,500 mAh, wireless charging – something that’s not much in its price segment – and fast charging. Fast charging has both negative and positive sides. The negative is that it only reaches 33 watts. The positive is that it is a standard; that is, there is no proprietary technology that requires specific brand adapters. Any USB-C plug that supports the PD standard can give you that 33W.

When will it go on sale and at what price?

Phone (1) will go on sale July 21. In Spain, in addition to the company’s website, it can be purchased on Amazon, El Corte Inglés, FNAC, MásMóvil, PCComponentes and WOW Concept. The prices are as follows:

• Nothing Phone (1) with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage (only available in black): 469 euros.
• Nothing Phone (1) with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage (available in black and white): 499 euros.
• Nothing Phone (1) with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage (available in black and white): 549 euros.