The Nothing Phone (1) has been making waves in the tech world since its launch. It’s not just another smartphone; it’s a statement piece. With its unique design featuring 900 LEDs on the back, the phone is a head-turner. But is it all style over substance?
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the Nothing Phone (1), exploring its design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience. We’ll put it through its paces to see how it stacks up against the competition in a crowded smartphone market.
From the sleek design and innovative Glyph interface to the powerful Snapdragon processor and impressive battery life, the Nothing Phone (1) is a device that demands attention. But with a price tag that puts it in the mid-range category, will it be able to justify its premium features?
Join us as we unpack the Nothing Phone (1) and see if it lives up to the hype. Get ready to discover if this phone is a true disruptor or just another shiny object in the smartphone universe.
| Name: | Nothing Phone (1) |
| Image: |  |
| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Link: |
Design and Build
The Nothing Phone (1) is a bold statement in the smartphone world, and its design is a major part of that. It’s immediately recognizable thanks to the unique “Glyph Interface” on the back, which is a series of 900 LED lights that illuminate in different patterns for notifications, charging, and even during calls. The design is certainly eye-catching, but it also serves a practical purpose. The Glyph Interface can be customized with different lighting effects, and it can be used to control the phone without having to look at the screen.
The phone itself is built with a premium aluminum frame and a glass back. It feels solid and well-constructed in hand, although it’s a bit on the heavier side. The design is minimalist and modern, with a flat display and a small camera bump. While some might find the transparent back a bit gimmicky, it does add a unique touch to the phone’s aesthetic.
Overall, the Nothing Phone (1) has a distinct design that will undoubtedly turn heads. It’s more than just a flashy design; the Glyph Interface adds a touch of functionality. The build quality is solid, with a premium feel and finish. However, the weight might be a consideration for some users.
Display
The Nothing Phone (1) boasts a 6.55-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and responsive experience. The display is bright and vibrant, with excellent color accuracy and deep blacks. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through menus and browsing the web feel exceptionally smooth, and it also helps with gaming, making animations and fast-paced action sequences look crisp and fluid. The display also features HDR10 support, which enhances the viewing experience with richer colors and deeper blacks in compatible content.
While the display is excellent, it’s worth noting that it has a 20.5:9 aspect ratio, which makes it slightly taller than most other smartphones on the market. This taller aspect ratio can be a bit of an adjustment, especially when watching videos or playing games, as you might notice some letterboxing or black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. The screen’s flat design might also feel less premium than the curved displays found on some other flagship devices.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Nothing Phone (1) offers a fantastic display experience. It’s bright, vibrant, and smooth, and it’s certainly one of the highlights of the phone.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (1) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chipset, which is a mid-range processor that delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. It’s not going to win any speed tests against top-tier chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but it handles everything from browsing the web to playing demanding games with ease.
I played games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile on the Phone (1) and was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The game ran smoothly with no noticeable lag or frame drops, even at high graphics settings. The phone did get warm after extended gaming sessions, but it never got uncomfortably hot.
The 8GB of RAM is more than enough for multitasking, and I was able to switch between apps seamlessly without any lag. The 128GB of storage is also generous, although you can opt for the 256GB model if you need more space.
One of the key selling points of the Nothing Phone (1) is its unique design, and that design extends to the performance of the phone, thanks to the Glyph interface. The Glyph lights can be used to alert you to notifications, calls, and other events, and you can even customize the lighting patterns to your liking. It is more of a novelty feature than something that is going to change your life, but it is cool. The phone also comes with a haptic engine that provides a satisfying tactile feedback for every tap and swipe.
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Overall, the Nothing Phone (1) offers a solid performance experience that is on par with other mid-range Android phones. The Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chipset is more than capable of handling everyday tasks and even demanding games, while the 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage provide ample space for multitasking and storing your files. The Glyph interface is a fun addition that adds a bit of personality to the phone.
Camera
The Nothing Phone (1) boasts a unique camera system that sets it apart from the competition. On the back, you’ll find a dual-camera setup with a 50MP Sony IMX766 main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 50MP ultrawide sensor. The main camera excels in daylight, capturing vibrant and detailed images with accurate colors. It also performs well in low-light conditions, thanks to the large sensor and OIS, producing images with minimal noise and good detail. However, the ultrawide camera doesn’t quite match the quality of the main sensor, with noticeable image distortion and less detail.
One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone (1) camera is the Glyph Interface, which uses the phone’s unique LED lighting system to provide visual cues for incoming calls, notifications, charging status, and even as a fill light for selfies. While it’s a cool and innovative addition, its practical use is limited, and it’s not as effective as a traditional flash.
Video recording is capable, with the phone offering 4K video recording at up to 30fps. The video quality is decent, with good stabilization and color accuracy, but it struggles in low-light conditions, producing grainy footage. The phone also features a variety of shooting modes, including portrait mode, night mode, and slow-motion video. The portrait mode delivers decent results, blurring the background effectively while maintaining detail in the subject. Night mode helps to brighten up low-light scenes, but it can sometimes result in over-processed images.
Overall, the Nothing Phone (1) camera is a mixed bag. The main sensor delivers good image quality in various conditions, but the ultrawide camera falls short. The Glyph Interface is a unique and innovative feature, but its practicality is limited. While the camera might not be the phone’s strongest feature, it still captures decent images and videos for everyday use, especially for casual users and those who enjoy the phone’s unique aesthetic.
Software
The Nothing Phone (1) runs on Nothing OS, a customized version of Android 12, which is based on the popular and customizable open-source operating system. The interface feels clean and minimalist, with a focus on transparency and simplicity. You’ll find a few pre-installed apps like a dedicated Nothing Launcher, the Nothing Weather app, and the Nothing Clock app. The good news is that all of them are highly customizable and you can tweak the colors, themes, and layouts to your liking.
One of the most interesting features of Nothing OS is its integration with the Glyph interface. The phone’s signature LED lighting system isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s actually used to provide visual notifications and alerts, as well as charging status indicators. For example, you can customize the Glyph to light up in different colors for incoming calls, messages, and charging levels. There’s also a “Glyph Compose” feature that lets you use the Glyph to control the camera, music playback, and other functions.
While the software is still in its early stages, it’s already showing a lot of promise. The user interface is fast and responsive, and the custom features, like the Glyph integration, are a nice touch. The fact that the software is heavily customizable is another big plus. You can easily change the look and feel of the phone to match your preferences.
However, there are a few areas where the software could use some improvement. For example, the pre-installed apps are still relatively limited, and the overall app ecosystem needs to expand. The app drawer could also benefit from more customization options.
Overall, Nothing OS is a refreshing take on Android, and it’s clear that Nothing is committed to providing a unique and customizable software experience. The Glyph interface is a standout feature, and the user interface is fast and intuitive. While there’s room for improvement, the software is already a promising foundation for future iterations of the Nothing phone.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (1) boasts a 4,500mAh battery, which is a decent size for a phone in this price range. In my testing, I was able to consistently get through a full day of use with moderate to heavy usage, including browsing the web, watching videos, and taking photos and videos. On lighter days, I could even stretch the battery life to a day and a half. However, if you’re a heavy gamer or use your phone for demanding tasks like video editing, you might find yourself needing to charge the phone more frequently.
One of the key features of the Nothing Phone (1) is its fast charging capabilities. The phone supports 45W wired charging, which can charge the battery from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. However, it’s important to note that the phone does not come with a 45W charger in the box. You’ll need to purchase one separately. For wireless charging, the phone supports 15W wireless charging, which is also a decent speed.
Overall, the battery life of the Nothing Phone (1) is solid. While it may not be the longest-lasting phone on the market, it’s more than enough for most users. The fast charging capabilities are also a big plus, making it easy to top up the battery quickly when needed.
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Charging
The Nothing Phone (1) boasts a 4,500mAh battery, which is a respectable size for a phone of its class. In our testing, we found that it could easily last a full day with moderate use, and even a full day and a half with light use. This is thanks in part to the efficient Snapdragon 778G+ processor and the fact that the phone doesn’t have a 120Hz refresh rate display, which can be a battery hog.
However, where the Nothing Phone (1) truly shines is in its charging capabilities. It supports 33W wired fast charging, which can get you from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes. This is incredibly fast, and it’s a major selling point for the phone. It also supports 15W wireless charging, which is a nice bonus but not as fast as the wired charging.
The phone comes with a 33W charger in the box, which is great to see. This is something that many other phone manufacturers are now leaving out, so it’s a welcome addition to the Nothing Phone (1) package.
Overall, the charging experience on the Nothing Phone (1) is excellent. It’s fast, convenient, and comes with all the necessary accessories in the box. This is a major plus for the phone, and it’s something that will definitely appeal to users who value quick charging.
Price and Availability
The Nothing Phone (1) starts at $469 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage model. You can also grab the 12GB RAM/256GB storage version for $529. It comes in black and white color options and is available for purchase directly from Nothing’s website and select retailers like Amazon.
While the pricing might seem a bit steep for a mid-range phone, it’s worth noting that the Nothing Phone (1) offers a unique and compelling design that stands out from the crowd. You also get a decent set of specs for the price, including a powerful processor, a bright and vibrant display, and a capable camera system.
The phone’s availability has been relatively good so far, with most retailers having it in stock. However, it’s worth checking availability before making your purchase, as some colors and storage configurations might be harder to find.
Competition
The Nothing Phone (1) finds itself in a crowded mid-range market, competing with devices like the Google Pixel 6a, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, and the OnePlus Nord N20 5G. Each of these rivals brings something unique to the table, making the choice for the best phone a tough one.
The Pixel 6a is a strong contender thanks to its excellent camera performance and Google’s clean and up-to-date software. However, it lacks the design flair of the Nothing Phone (1) and doesn’t have the same level of customization options. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G offers a stunning AMOLED display and a long-lasting battery, but it comes with a less powerful processor and a higher price tag. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the most affordable option, but it sacrifices camera quality and overall performance for its budget-friendly price point.
The Nothing Phone (1) stands out with its unique design and its focus on transparency, which gives it a distinct visual appeal. The phone’s Glyph interface also provides a novel way to interact with notifications and alerts. However, its camera performance lags behind the Pixel 6a, and its processor isn’t as powerful as the Galaxy A53 5G. Ultimately, whether the Nothing Phone (1) is the right choice for you depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for a phone with a unique design and a focus on customization, the Nothing Phone (1) is a compelling option. However, if camera performance and overall performance are your top priorities, you might be better off with the Pixel 6a or the Galaxy A53 5G.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone (1) is a compelling device that strikes a balance between innovative design, solid performance, and a competitive price point. While it’s not perfect, it delivers a unique user experience that sets it apart from the crowded smartphone market. The transparent back with its customizable LED lights is a head-turner and adds a touch of personality. The performance is reliable, handling everyday tasks and even demanding games with ease. The camera system is competent, particularly in daylight, and the software experience is clean and efficient. The battery life is decent, and the fast charging capabilities are a bonus.
However, the camera struggles in low-light conditions, and the lack of telephoto lens might be a deal-breaker for some.
Overall, the Nothing Phone (1) is a worthy contender for anyone looking for a stylish and capable smartphone with a unique design element. Its strengths lie in its aesthetics, performance, and user experience, while its weaknesses are mainly in the camera department. If you’re looking for a phone that stands out from the crowd and offers a solid user experience, the Nothing Phone (1) is certainly worth considering.
The Nothing Phone (1) is a bold and unique device that definitely turns heads. It’s a phone that tries to be different, and in many ways, it succeeds. The transparent design, the customizable LED lights, and the solid performance make it a compelling choice for those who want something a bit more special than the usual smartphone. However, the high price tag and the lack of water resistance may be deal breakers for some.
Ultimately, the Nothing Phone (1) is a phone that’s more about the experience than the specs. It’s a phone that’s meant to be seen and heard, and it certainly does both. If you’re looking for a phone that will make a statement and offer a fun and unique user experience, the Nothing Phone (1) is worth considering.
For those who are on the fence about the Nothing Phone (1), it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully. While the device offers some unique features, its high price point and lack of water resistance may make it a less appealing option compared to other flagship smartphones on the market.
The Nothing Phone (1) is an interesting and innovative device that’s sure to attract attention. Whether it’s a phone that you’ll want to live with long-term is a question that only you can answer.
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