NOTHING’S NEW SMARTPHONE IS SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT
It’s hard to make a smartphone that stands out – in 2022 the form-factor is pretty much nailed down.
Nothing, a new UK-based company, wants to change that with the phone (1), which I’ve been testing.
The phone (1) is a surprising device in some ways, but entirely conventional in others. The front looks like any other phone, but at the back you’ll find the “Glyph interface”.
This collection of light strips is revealed by a transparent back.
It’s the most-hyped feature of the device… but is it of practical use? It’ll show you info about the state of the phone, but its real value is in notifications. You can set the device up to have a unique ringtone and Glyph pattern for individual contacts… so when the phone is face-down and someone calls, you can tell who is ringing from the way the various lights flash.
It’s useful information, and something you don’t find on any device. Is it a gimmick you’ll only use in week one? Maybe, but that is no reason to discount the phone (1) if you want a new device.
One of the best things about the device is actually a lack of features. The version of Android installed – Nothing OS – is very different to the bloated version you find on other phones. There is some style customisation – Nothing’s dot-matrix font appears on a couple of widgets and there are some stylish branded wallpapers to choose from.
But for almost everything else Nothing has opted for Android’s stock apps and features without useless additions. It’s this that makes the phone (1) an absolute joy to use. It’s refreshingly simple and all the more powerful for it.
Another plus is the size – at 6.55ins it’s bigger than an iPhone, but not as big as an iPhone Max. It seems like a nice compromise if you like to use a phone one-handed, but also appreciate the extra screen real estate.
The phone (1) is not the fastest phone you can buy, but not the slowest. The cameras are good – two 50MG units on the back, which are more than capable for most users.
This all comes at a knockdown price of £399 – you can pay more to get more storage memory.
For that money I’d say you’d be getting a real bargain. The phone (1) may be hyped to the max, but it is still a cool-looking and capable alternative to what’s already out there.