You know when someone walks into a room and all heads turn—not because they’re flashy or loud, but because there’s something refreshingly different about them? The Nothing Phone 1 enters the scene like that. With no screeching marketing jingle or an overload of specs, it captivates with a transparent back, blinking glyph lights, and a clean aesthetic that whispers, “I’m clearly not like the others.”
Brainchild of Carl Pei (remember OnePlus?), this phone arrived with expectations stacked higher than your Netflix watchlist. But what’s it like in the real world—after the unboxings, the Twitter hype, and pixel-peeping YouTubers had their say?
Let’s dive in.
First Impressions: Design That Talks Back
The Nothing Phone 1 looks like it was crafted with a “Why should phones be boring?” mindset. The transparent back isn’t just a party trick; it incorporates the Glyph Interface—a clever design feature that uses LED lights to blink subtly for notifications, calls, and charging cues. These aren’t random flickers; they are patterns unique to specific apps or contacts.
It’s like your phone possesses a silent, blinking personality.
Taking cues from the iPhone 12’s clean flat edges, the Nothing Phone 1 adds a punky, minimalistic twist. The custom ringtones? They’re reminiscent of a retro sci-fi movie. Throw in IP53 splash resistance, and it starts to feel like a device designed for those who appreciate a dose of art in their tech.
You might find yourself wanting to display it face-down just to show off that rear panel.
Performance and Nothing OS: Mostly Sweet
Nothing OS provides a smooth experience on top of Android. It’s lean, super-clean, and, refreshingly, bloatware-free. Navigating the interface feels crisp, likely due to the 120Hz OLED display and the untouched Android skin. No unnecessary folders, no duplicate apps—just an intuitive experience.
However, akin to a perfectly laid-out café menu that forgets the dessert section, a few quirks detract from what could have been flawless. Minor bugs sometimes appear—animations can jerk oddly, a few stutters may occur while switching apps, and biometric issues arise (like face unlock misfires or fingerprints not registering on the first try). Not dealbreakers, just reminders that the software is still finding its rhythm.
Under the hood lies the Snapdragon 778G+, another mixed bag. Day-to-day tasks like social media, messaging, and light editing flow smoothly. However, if you’re venturing into heavy gaming sessions, you’ll start to see the mid-range origins emerge.
If you’re eager to shoot up lobbies in Call of Duty Mobile or are addicted to Genshin Impact, beware of the thermal ceiling approaching sooner than you’d like.
Let me clarify.
This chip isn’t your fire-breathing flagship dragon; it’s more like the friendly neighbor who manages your taxes swiftly but won’t work weekends. Completely capable, but not tireless.
Display: Colourful, Sharp
On most days, the 6.55-inch OLED screen far exceeds expectations. It offers rich contrast, reasonable outdoor visibility, and a colour balance that doesn’t scream saturation—what more do you want at this price point?
The display handles HDR content adequately, making YouTube binge-watching or Instagram scrolling feel especially snappy thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. It’s addictive, even if you weren’t previously concerned about refresh rates.
The one minor issue? The ambient light sensor can be a tad dramatic. It either overreacts and dims the screen in bright rooms, or it ignores the darkness when you’re in a pitch-black setting.
Think of it as a moody friend you know all too well.
Camera: The Good, The Meh, and the Missed Calls
Cameras are always a talking point, and the Nothing Phone 1 doesn’t shy away. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main shooter and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. The main sensor performs admirably, capturing daylight photos with sharp detail and a natural look, steering clear of aggressive over-processing.
However, as the light fades, the camera loses some of its charm.
Low-light photos are usable but lack the oomph provided by some competitors (looking specifically at you, Pixel 6a). The ultra-wide? It’s serviceable. Expect results ranging from decent to “you probably shouldn’t have taken that.”
There’s no telephoto lens—but then again, mid-range pricing means compromises are part of the deal.
The camera UI keeps things straightforward, making it accessible for casual users. Photography enthusiasts might yearn for a Pro mode with more depth, but for those keen on clicking and sharing, this phone delivers.
Battery Life: Steady, Not Spectacular
Expect a day’s worth of usage, but don’t plan any road trips without a charger in tow if you’re a power user.
The 4,500mAh battery boasts an average-to-good performance with approximately nine hours of screen-on time in PCMark tests. This is adequate for the category. A pleasant surprise is the inclusion of wireless charging—rare at this price, and a real benefit for those who dislike dealing with messy cords.
However, the 33W wired charging feels just average. Competitors like the Realme GT series will have you sipping tea while they race from 0 to 100%.
Playing Games: It Handles, But Doesn’t Hustle
Here’s the million-dollar question: Is it a gaming phone? Not particularly.
Yes, it can handle popular titles, and games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 run smoothly at medium to high settings. But push it too hard or run high-intensity games for too long, and it begins to warm up—notably—and frames can start skipping, reminiscent of a poorly buffered video.
For casual gamers, the experience is serviceable. However, if your idea of fun includes climbing FPS leaderboards or streaming your gameplay, look towards flagships or gaming-specific phones. This device prioritizes design and everyday usability over high-level competitive performance.
Who’s It For, And Does It Make Sense?
That’s the twist—it makes a lot of sense if you want your phone to reflect… well, a little personality.
Ideal For:
- Users who love clean Android and detest bloatware
- Design-first smartphone buyers
- People who appreciate small tech pleasures (like LED lights that add a fun flair)
- Casual gamers and everyday photographers
Not Suitable For:
- Hardcore gamers or avid vloggers
- Low-light photography buffs
- Users seeking flagship-level performance in a mid-range shell
With the Nothing Phone 2 and other models emerging, the Phone 1 still holds its own surprisingly well, provided you accept its slightly quirky software history and understand it doesn’t chase raw performance numbers.
This is a phone that doesn’t need to “win” to succeed. It simply needed to be different—and that’s where it excels.
FAQs
Q: Is Nothing Phone 1 worth buying in 2024?
Absolutely, if you’re looking for a well-priced, high-style phone with a clean Android experience. Newer smartphones may offer superior specs, but few exude this much personality.
Q: Can I trust Nothing with software updates?
They promise three Android updates and four years of security patches. So far, updates have been steady, albeit a bit slow.
Q: Is the Glyph Interface actually useful?
It depends on your customization. It’s a clever gadget that can be both fun and functional if you link it to specific ringtone patterns or notification cues.
Q: How good is it for content creation?
For stories, quick reels, and immediate video needs—it works well. However, don’t expect DSLR-like quality or advanced colour grading features.
Q: Is it better than other phones in the same price bracket?
In terms of design and software experience? Yes. For raw camera capabilities or gaming performance? Likely not.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 1 isn’t flawless. Yet it does something many phones avoid—it stands for something.
It doesn’t aspire to out-muscle the specs wars or out-capture DSLRs. Instead, it seeks to infuse a sense of fun, design, and minimalism back into smartphones—without draining your bank account.
It’s akin to that indie film you didn’t expect to love but found yourself quoting months later. Quirky, charming, and quietly cool.
