With Nothing Phone (1) starting to enter the Malaysian market, it continues to add new mid-range device offerings for those looking for a device in this class. The only question is, is a smartphone from a new company worth owning? Nothing Phone (1) has arrived at the our laboratory and in this article I will share my opinion based on the experience of using this device after about five days.
Specifications And Design
Nothing Phone (1)
6.55” FHD+ flexible OLED screen, 2400×1080 pixels (~402 ppi)
120Hz, HDR10+,
Snapdragon 778G+ processor (6nm)
1 x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 chip
3 x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78
4 x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55
Adreno 642L Graphics Chip
RAM 8/12 GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage 128/256 GB UFS 3.1
Main Camera 50MP Wide Angle f/1.88, OIS/EIS
50MP Ultra Wide Angle 114 degrees, f/2.2
Extreme Night Mode, HDR, 4K 30FPS Video
Selfie Camera 16 Megapixel f/2.45
4500 mAh battery
33W PD 3.0, Wired (Quick Charge 4.0 Charger only)
15W, Wireless
5W, Reverse Wireless
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano 4G
VoLTE
NFC Yes
Audio No audio jack
Stereo speakers
Waterproof IP53
Scan System Under-screen fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM2,399 (8/256 GB)
RM2,699 (12/256 GB)
The device uses a very different screen than most other Android devices. In fact, I feel this is one of the best Android device screen designs to date. This is because, Nothing uses a flexible OLED screen panel that allows the device to have a flat screen and an even bezel around the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. The body size is like the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but the screen is smaller with a size of 6.55″. The screen also supports a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ display.
The screen quality in my opinion is just fine. Netflix still doesn't support HDR10+. This will cost me more time for further testing. 120Hz on the device is very satisfying, as it is fast and smooth. It's just a shame it doesn't use an LTPO panel for adaptive high refresh rates.
For the chip, it uses the Snapdragon 778G+ with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The first hour of use, the device is already starting to heat up – but this is standard for mid-range Android devices when a new device is set up. This article is also a first look, so other details like performance, camera quality, battery life and overall usage experience should take some time to test.
Next is the design of the device. It does look like an iPhone. But the uniqueness is on the back panel with transparent glass and has a different LED system than others. It also shows the concept of using the LED system that used to be common on Android devices for notifications. Nothing Phone (1) has the addition of a red LED light for a unique video recording status.
Nothing Phone (1) is also comfortable in the hand, it's light and feels a little strange because it's like holding an empty block inside. Surprisingly this device is not slippery and is in a good grip. Below is the speaker grille, USB-C port, SIM card slot and microphone. On top there is a microphone, on the right and left side there are power buttons and volume buttons. Plus on the back, every detail is also very beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
Usage Experience
Nothing OS
The operating system used, obviously has ideas from Carl Pei himself. This is because Nothing OS is very similar to the original Android, it's like AOSP with a change to the iconic Nothing dot matrix typeface. It also still maintains many original Android 12 elements, such as the design of the notification tray, the interface design is all very simple and easy to use.
Nothing also only adds a few features in this device, such as Game Mode, Tesla car control, NFT widgets and changing the notification tray with two icons of data connection settings and large bluetooth.
Nothing OS also for some people will feel empty. Especially those who are used to using Chinese-made devices with heavy themes such as MIUI, ColorOS, Funtouch OS or Samsung devices with One UI. For me it's very interesting, because the Oxygen OS under the care of Carl Pei and the interface on the Pixel is my favorite operating system.
Have a brief of this operating system, the application Nothing Ear (1) to control their own TWS is not built and needs to be downloaded in the Play Store. Nothing only adds its own camera app and voice recorder app. Others are apps from Google and already built into AOSP.
Nothing promises 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security patch updates. With this device launching with Android 12, it will have support up to Android 15. After that it's another year for security and users don't have to worry because official custom ROMs will also be offered.
Glyph Interface
The Glyph is the LED lighting system on the back of the device. It is used to notify incoming notifications, ringtones to receive phone calls, lights moving in rhythm when playing back audio from a voice recorder and also to display different light movements according to the rhythm of the song being played.
This glyph can be modified and customized according to the user. For example, Nothing offers 10 ringtones and 10 sounds for notifications – each sound will have a different light movement that can be set according to the application or contact.
This is interesting, but it is also a problem for me. Usually after removing the device from the bag or pocket I will put the screen up on the table to easily see notifications. With this device I have to get used to putting the screen down to see notifications through Glyph. Not only that, I also have to learn each different light pattern to know what app notifications are for and from whom.
Only for the white LED light, it is difficult for me to recognize if the device is muted. The light pattern is also fast and difficult for me to cam so early in this use. I am also worried if there is a problem with the LED dying later.
What's in the box?
If you buy this device, here is what you will receive in the box;
1x Nothing Phone (1)
1x USB-C to USB-C Cable
1x SIM Pin
1x Guidebook
Conclusion
If you want a premium mid-range device that has the potential to last up to four years, the Nothing Phone (1) is a pretty good device. If we look at the market of devices in this class, the Nothing Phone (1) is actually quite expensive. Because devices with a Snapdragon 778G chip are usually under RM2000. That's right, this device is the first in Malaysia with the Snapdragon 778G+ – but for a starting price of RM2399 it's hard to win over consumers in Malaysia who are pampered with mid-range devices that sell for around RM1500.
If it weren't for the Glyph's design and system, this device probably wouldn't have been bought by anyone. Clearly here, Hype for a product is essential to its appeal and for Nothing trying to rekindle the excitement of seeing a new gadget launch – I dare say this is the first step to their success.