Nothing Phone (1) review

22 July 2022


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I don't think Snapdragon 778G should bother anyone as it is equal to Snapdragon 855, which is very capable in itself, and is easily today's ace midranger. You're probably saving 50% off the price for that.

Hmm... my ever favourite Audio quality test made a return, even though GSMA still believes that almost all phones are great at audio... maybe they mean for the casual listener.

But if it doesn't have a 3.5mm jack, can't the bad audio result be improved by changing the adaptor/ USB C Earphone?

"" As far as bloatware is concerned, the Phone (1) really has none to speak of, assuming you don't count the ever-increasing mandatory Google apps as bloatware (although maybe it's time we do). ""
Wow, I don't believe GSMArena said so. Nice..

Overall, wish Nothing all the best, this phone is not for me in any case, but I'm concerned about unit to unit quality consistency...

    Aierlan, 23 Jul 2022Not a bad release for a first phone. The pricing in Europe ... moreBetter camera HW in the nothing phone, but as far as actual performance the 12 lite slaughters it. They really need to improve their processing on the nothing phone.

    https://m.gsmarena.com/piccmp.php3?idType=4&idPhone1=11472&idPhone2=11636

      Anonymous, 23 Jul 2022Case with raise edgeThat was just the hint for the person asking.

      But here's the thing. Most phones today can show a preview of the notification etc on the display. So this gimmick light show on the back seems very pointless.

      You mention case with raised edge to protect the display as this must be placed face down to utilize this feature, well then you're stuck using clear cases that get ugly fairly quickly. Or have to hope that nothing makes a good looking case with some clear cutouts to show the LEDs.

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        • Alex
        • qC@
        • 25 Jul 2022

        "the standard low-light photos from the main camera are excellent" - that's more than an overstatement, look at the "foliage", it's only usable with Night Mode. Which actually ruins ultra-wide shots, but this issue will be probably fixed with a software update.
        Also a statement like "appears that our unit has a lens issue" tell a lot about quality control.

          • A
          • Abhay
          • rJ$
          • 25 Jul 2022

          Pangsailousai, 25 Jul 2022Worst phone launch ever, they don't even disguise the ... moreTalking about overpricing, have you heard of phone named iPhone?

            • G
            • Gg
            • 6q7
            • 25 Jul 2022

            Overrated

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 8N3
              • 25 Jul 2022

              Anonymous, 25 Jul 2022the npothing phone gets so much hate while it IS the pixel ... moreThis device is gonna get android 15.

                • r
                • raz
                • vgN
                • 25 Jul 2022

                Talking about the price, it will be interesting if this phone comes with a SD870 or the upper midrange Dimensity 8100

                  • T
                  • Tisho1012
                  • nw}
                  • 25 Jul 2022

                  REAL TALK, 25 Jul 2022this phone is garbage. no charger seriously? at this price ... moreThere is a good expression for that...
                  I don’t give 400 quid for nothing loool

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • txE
                    • 25 Jul 2022

                    Anonymous, 25 Jul 2022why have light on backI think, the most simple answer is just for making it unique in design (just a few models have this transparent back, especially compared to the amount of types that has the ordinary non-transparent ones, in my opinion). Yes, number one is for its visual but it has another function. Moreover, the LEDs are usable for photography. I've seen in a YouTube Video, here it is: https://youtu.be/SjtMHB8a7dc?t=383

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • Fvc
                      • 25 Jul 2022

                      Anonymous, 25 Jul 2022why have light on backYou can turn it off.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • J5x
                        • 25 Jul 2022

                        the npothing phone gets so much hate while it IS the pixel 6a we were waiting for: let's compare this:

                        p6/(1):
                        470€/470€
                        60hz/120hz
                        800nits/1200nits
                        gorilla glass 3 and plastic/ gorilla glass 5(2x)
                        google Tensor (Exynos var.)/SD 778G+
                        8MP front cam/16MP front cam
                        12mp (2x) main cam/50mp (2x) main cam
                        4k 60fps max/4k 30fps max
                        no wireless charge/ wireless (reverse)charge
                        no Status LED/hundreds of status LEDs
                        18W charging/30W charging
                        IP67/IP53
                        6/128GB / 8/128GB+more
                        no bloatware/no bloatware
                        3 years updates/ ? years updates

                        Yes, the cam-UI on that pixel 6a might be sweeter and so is the chipset and the IP rating, but mostly everything else is much better on the nothing phone (1)...for the same(!!!) price! even if it was only for the design, only for the 120 hz or simply the 1200nits, Id say: go for the nothing phone(1). What Im not sure about is updates. Weve seen the essential phone, nextbit robin later razer phone, etc. fail. It wasnt for the updates, still, IF someone buys into a new phone they NEED 3+ years of updates.

                        I dont understand the hate this phone gets. Its a nice approach on making the 2022 dull, simple phonedesigns somewhat "flashier". If you don't like it, turn it off. Even if turned off, you get a mid-ranger that stands out from the crowd. It offers what the pixel 6a predicted but didnt fullfill: a phone that has all it needs to be your daily driver. 120hz, big battery, bright display, reverse charging for your earbuds, fast charging...okay, that IP rating is a bit of a downside really, but Id go for the nothing phone any day if I didnt own a pixel 6 pro already, that ups all the mentioned specs to a flagship level just a bit more.


                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 6cc
                          • 25 Jul 2022

                          Even random meizu phone has higher brand value than this mediocre disco phone.

                          The main competitor of this phone is Galaxy A03. But still, Galaxy A03 has more popular samsung brand, also samsung has worldwide official store/ service center.

                          The price of this phone should be about 20-30 USD, because the brand is still unknown and has no IP 67 rating.

                            • R
                            • REAL TALK
                            • ubg
                            • 25 Jul 2022

                            this phone is garbage. no charger seriously? at this price range? how do you compete with poco f4 gt?

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • 61$
                              • 25 Jul 2022

                              why have light on back

                                Anonymous, 25 Jul 2022S20 FE was announced for $750Irrelevant, current market prices are what counts. The S20FE goes for the same amount as the Nothing Phone (1) and sometimes even lower in several markets where S20FE launched.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • 8N3
                                  • 25 Jul 2022

                                  Pangsailousai, 25 Jul 2022Worst phone launch ever, they don't even disguise the ... moreS20 FE was announced for $750

                                    Worst phone launch ever, they don't even disguise the fact that they are trying to fleece people into buying something that is grossly overpriced. Mid-range SoC for the asking price of S20FE which is a far superior phone all around. What's worse? No charger included.

                                      skimminstones, 24 Jul 2022unless ive missed it there was no mention of if this is 5g ... moreYes, they have covered major 5G bands.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • feX
                                        • 25 Jul 2022

                                        Not really sure why everyone on this website seems to hate this phone. I suspect the real reason is because Carl Pei is behind it and was the same guy behind OnePlus, and everyone on this website hates OnePlus.

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