Nothing Phone’s US “beta test” targets people with more money than sense

The Nothing Phone (1) bets the farm that you'll instantly fall in love with this back design. If you don't, there's not much else to see.

Enlarge / The Nothing Phone (1) bets the farm that you'll instantly fall in love with this back design. If you don't, there's not much else to see. (credit: Nothing)

Does anyone remember the "Nothing Phone?"

The awkwardly named "Nothing" is a new smartphone company from OnePlus cofounder Carl Pei, and its first phone, the Nothing Phone 1, launched about half a year ago in Europe, India, and China for 469 euro (about $500). Nothing will now let you buy that phone in the US for $300. The company is calling this a "beta test," but it doesn't sound like you're testing anything other than market interest. The "beta test" label means that buying the phone comes with caveats that make it a pretty terrible deal.

First, a quick recap: The Nothing Phone 1 is a $300 mid-ranger with a Snapdragon 778G+, a 6.55-inch, 2400×1080 120Hz OLED display, a 4500 mAh battery, and a bunch of other specs that fall firmly into the "meh" category. The device has no clear sales pitch for why it's a good smartphone, with only a few light strips on the back panel to separate it from the crowd. The company hopes the wacky back panel will blow you away.

Read 5 remaining paragraphs | Comments



The Nothing Phone (1) bets the farm that you'll instantly fall in love with this back design. If you don't, there's not much else to see.

Enlarge / The Nothing Phone (1) bets the farm that you'll instantly fall in love with this back design. If you don't, there's not much else to see. (credit: Nothing)

Does anyone remember the "Nothing Phone?"

The awkwardly named "Nothing" is a new smartphone company from OnePlus cofounder Carl Pei, and its first phone, the Nothing Phone 1, launched about half a year ago in Europe, India, and China for 469 euro (about $500). Nothing will now let you buy that phone in the US for $300. The company is calling this a "beta test," but it doesn't sound like you're testing anything other than market interest. The "beta test" label means that buying the phone comes with caveats that make it a pretty terrible deal.

First, a quick recap: The Nothing Phone 1 is a $300 mid-ranger with a Snapdragon 778G+, a 6.55-inch, 2400×1080 120Hz OLED display, a 4500 mAh battery, and a bunch of other specs that fall firmly into the "meh" category. The device has no clear sales pitch for why it's a good smartphone, with only a few light strips on the back panel to separate it from the crowd. The company hopes the wacky back panel will blow you away.

Read 5 remaining paragraphs | Comments


January 12, 2023 at 12:05AM

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