: Aryan Suren for Pocketnow

Nothing Cellphone 1 Assessment

DesignDisplaySoftwareThe GlyphPerformance and BatteryCameraVerdictTechnical Specs

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“The jack of all trades” usually has a detrimental connotation, however when you learn the whole quote, you’ll see that it’s meant as a praise. It reads “a jack of all trades is a grasp of none, however oftentimes higher than a grasp of 1.” And I believe this describes the Nothing Cellphone 1 to a tee. Carl Pei’s newest brainchild is a tool concentrating on the mid-range smartphone market beneath the banner of Nothing, an upstart firm that wishes to deliver one thing new and thrilling to the commodified smartphone world.

With a beginning worth of £399 ($475), the Cellphone 1 will probably be a favourite for a lot of, and delivers a level of polish that’s sudden for a first-time product. After spending 5 days with Nothing’s beep-bop-boop glyph-toting handset, I believe this cellphone is one to maintain a watch out for when you’re looking for nice worth to your cash.

A Nothing Cellphone 1 retail unit with 8GB RAM and 256GB inside storage bought in India was used for this evaluation.

Video Assessment

Nothing Cellphone 1 Video Assessment by Jaime Rivera

Design

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Let’s deal with the elephant in the room – the Cellphone 1’s design and its prime focus, the clear glass again with its blinking lights. Frankly, it seems to be good.

That is all there actually is to it. Slab telephones, not less than in the mid-range, are typically fairly boring — except they seem to be a restricted version run — and appear to favor plastic frames or backs. Right here, Nothing’s resolution to ship a glass sandwich is welcome. As for the Glyph system, the way in which it really works is eye-catching, however it’s one thing I’ll discover later in this evaluation. Although one factor is for certain. It does not detract something from the cellphone – if something, it solely provides to it.

Behind the rear glass, the varied parts add a layer of depth that’s pleasing to take a look at. The wi-fi charging coil seems to be particularly stealthy on the black variant that I examined.

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Regardless of weighing 193.5g, the Cellphone 1 feels extremely mild. It someway feels lighter than my iPhone 12, which weighs about 30 grams much less. Perhaps it’s simply my creativeness, however the weight distribution on this smartphone is top-notch. It is not top-heavy, and getting it to face upright isn’t a difficulty — a welcome bonus when taking photos of this handset.

As for its slab sides, sure, the Cellphone 1 seems to be much like newer iPhones, however I don’t actually thoughts. If something, this cellphone feels only a tad too thick.

Show

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The Cellphone 1 is without doubt one of the few Android smartphones that contains a display screen with even bezels throughout. And never solely is that this 6.55-inch show a pleasure to take a look at, however the colour replica, viewing angles, and sharpness on this 1080p AMOLED panel are glorious.

It has a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content material with a typical brightness of 500 nits. That’s a bit dimmer than I’m used to. Mainly, the display screen being a bit tougher to learn in direct daylight, however it is not a dealbreaker.

Additionally vital is that this display screen’s 120Hz refresh charge. It’s adaptive, and the show robotically chooses between 60Hz and 120Hz relying on the content material. However after the most recent replace (Nothing OS 1.1.0), customers can select between Excessive and Normal refresh charges, and the toggle for adaptive refresh charge has been eliminated.

Nonetheless, when you head into the Developer Settings, you’ll discover an possibility that removes the system’s skill to fall again to 60Hz, and this works fairly properly. I by no means observed the cellphone dropping frames or dropping again to 60Hz.

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Whereas the Cellphone 1’s visible expertise is superb, I can’t say the identical in regards to the handset’s audio system. They get loud however lack element, which is completely nice for YouTube content material however not very best if you wish to hearken to music.

The Cellphone 1 ships with an optical in-display fingerprint scanner that is fast and works like a allure. Throughout the preliminary setup, the cellphone skipped the fingerprint edge detection step, however after updating to Nothing OS 1.1.0, I observed the step was again.

Software program

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The Cellphone 1’s software program has been a significant focus in Nothings’ advertising and marketing supplies. Aside from just a few teething niggles, I believe Nothing’s delivered a constructive software program expertise.

Nothing OS on prime of Android 12 is not that completely different from inventory Android or what you get with the Pixel Launcher, however many of the modifications solely make the gadget extra user-friendly. This pores and skin is so mild in phrases of visible customizations that when you’re in search of light-weight software program that features most of Android 12’s customizability with out pointless cruft, it is price contemplating this cellphone.

Settings, Recorder App, and House Display on Nothing Cellphone 1 (left to proper) : Pocketnow

The Dot Matrix font, the Teenage Engineering-designed recorder app, and the Nothing launcher widgets are all minor however distinctive additions that are not intrusive. And when you’re fearful about seeing the Dot Matrix font plastered all through the UI, do not be. Its use is tasteful and managed.

Sadly, I wasn’t in a position to check NFT widget or Tesla integrations in Fast Settings, however the latter doesn’t look like useful but.

Regardless of remaining clear and easy I’ve some qualms in regards to the software program. I’d wish to see extra granularity in the controls. For instance, the vibration administration on this gadget must be fleshed out some extra. At the moment, there’s too little management over the way it works along with the varied software program components.

Now, let’s speak about software program updates. With the Cellphone 1, Nothing is dedicated to delivering three Android updates. This implies the cellphone needs to be getting Android 15 and may obtain bi-monthly safety updates for 4 years — till 2026.

The Glyph

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Think about you’ve prevented any Cellphone 1 protection till now. The Glyph consists of a sequence of shapes that mild up on the again of the cellphone to point that somebody’s calling or that you’ve notifications ready. It is principally a notification LED on steroids. Hopefully, Nothing will supply an API for builders, and provides the Glyph a good brighter future.

Whereas it’s fairly cool, I believe this function has restricted enchantment.. I say this as a result of to make use of the Glyph, that you must actively change how you set your cellphone down after which make a aware effort to configure and keep in mind what every Glyph means. It is not troublesome, however in the age of always-on shows and ambient notifications that pop-up on the lock display screen, the Glyph is actually distinctive however removed from important.

Trying past the notification-based options, the Glyph delivers just a few extra party-tricks – considered one of which could truly be useful. For those who’re seeking to shoot a photograph with out the tough LED flash in your smartphone, the Glyph doubles as a method to illuminate your topic with subtle mild. And may your cellphone be the centerpiece of a celebration, the Music Visualization setting will let the Glyph react to the audio enjoying from its audio system.

Past this, I am unable to anticipate Nothing to shock me with enhancements to the Glyph. Hopefully, the corporate’s listening.

Efficiency and Battery

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In terms of efficiency, the Cellphone 1 contains a mid-range SoC with outcomes to match. The Snapdragon 778G Plus packed inside feels snappy day-to-day. Navigating across the UI and juggling apps is easy.

Gaming can be clean, however I observed the cellphone changing into heat after a while. I performed Genshin Affect and F1 Conflict , and whereas F1 Conflict did not warmth up my Snapdragon 888-based OnePlus 9RT, it warmed up the Cellphone 1. In order that’s one thing to maintain in thoughts .

Total, although, transferring away from a flagship chipset does not negatively have an effect on the Cellphone 1 and should not play a job in your shopping for resolution except you are in search of the best possible efficiency.

Charging Indicator on Nothing Cellphone 1 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow

As for battery life, the 4500mAh battery gives respectable endurance, making it by means of a day. For my use case, the Nothing Cellphone 1 sometimes gives about 5 to six hours of Display on Time earlier than I’ve to discover a charger.

Sadly, when it was time to replenish, I did not have a 33W charger available, nor did I’ve the official 45W unit. As such, I discovered myself utilizing Apple’s20W USB-C adapter. It is a disgrace there is no charger equipped in the field. The Cellphone 1 solely comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable.

With the 20W brick, I used to be in a position to cost the Cellphone 1 from Zero to 100% in 80 minutes. That is virtually an hour and a half, however the official 45W adapter is meant to cut back this quantity to only a few minutes over one hour. Nonetheless, the cellphone fees rapidly, and if wanted, a noon enhance solely takes a couple of minutes.

For many who favor wi-fi charging, I am glad to report that the Cellphone 1 helps 15W Qi wi-fi charging. And if in case you have a pair of earbuds that help Qi, 5W reverse wi-fi charging is on the market.

Digital camera

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After I obtained the Cellphone 1, the camera was one of many final issues I examined as a result of it options acquainted specs, so I already had an concept about what to anticipate. Whereas the first camera matched my expectations, the Ultrawide initially left room for enchancment. Fortuitously, with the 1.1.Zero software program replace, issues have improved. HDR, which was a bit inconsistent when coping with leaves, is loads higher.

The 50MP main camera, which mixes Sony’s IMX 766 1/1.56″ PDAF sensor with an f/1.9 OIS lens is ready to seize nice photographs. The images are vibrant, with vibrant colours and a pleasant, shallow depth of subject.. As for the 50MP Samsung JN1 ultrawide shooter. I used to be initially extremely dissatisfied, to the purpose that I thought-about by no means utilizing this camera, however as talked about above, the most recent software program replace has rescued the camera in some situations. Some topics will stay hit-and-miss, however not less than I can now suggest the ultrawide and anticipate it to ship usable outcomes.

I’m fairly impressed with the Cellphone 1’s evening mode. Low-light photographs obtain a major enhance in brightness with out sacrificing element an excessive amount of. Colours are additionally properly maintained, and this camera system will not allow you to down when you’re out in a restaurant with mates or household. As for the portrait mode, it’s par for the course and does an honest job, however I consider many of the heavy lifting is finished by the principle shooter’s shallow depth of subject quite than the software program.

The 16MP entrance camera is simply okay. It struggles in dim conditions, however takes usable photos given sufficient mild.

: Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera with 2x Digital Zoom × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Ultrawide Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera with 2x Digital Zoom × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Ultrawide Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera with 2x Digital Zoom × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Ultrawide Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Main Digital camera with 2x Digital Zoom × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Nothing Cellphone 1 Ultrawide Digital camera × 〈 〉

Evening Mode Samples

: Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Evening Mode Off × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Evening Mode Off × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Evening Mode Off × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Evening Mode On × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Evening Mode On × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Evening Mode Energetic × 〈 〉

Ultrawide Comparability Pattern

: Aryan Suren for Pocketnow × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow Ultrawide Digital camera options extra constant colours than it did earlier than Nothing OS 1.1.0 × 〈 〉

: Aryan Suren for Pocketnow HDR Processing is a bit wonky round leaves. × 〈 〉 : Aryan Suren for Pocketnow HDR is improved, exhibiting higher readability and close to the middle of the picture. × 〈 〉

As for the inconsistent HDR, the picture above showcases a situation the place HDR processing on the Cellphone 1 was simply poor. The identical photograph captured with Nothing OS 1.1.Zero reveals some enhancements. Within the first picture, the leaves have a purplish tinge over them (chromatic aberration), however the processing is significantly better in the second shot. It is laborious to duplicate the precise circumstances of the primary picture, however I additionally observed this enchancment in different circumstances.

Movies

Video Recording on the Cellphone 1 has been constructive as properly. It helps as much as 4K 30 FPS, with 1080P 60 FPS and 1080P 30 FPS choices. Stabilization is on the market in all recording modes, and on each cameras. The entrance camera is proscribed to 1080p 30 FPS.

Whereas the output from the first camera is usable, the clips captured with the Ultrawide are fairly dim and customarily missing in colour saturation, similar to the images. Additionally, you possibly can’t change between the 2 rear cameras whereas recording.

All in all, the Cellphone 1’s shooters are a combined bag. The first 50MP sensor does properly in most circumstances. The Ultrawide nonetheless wants some work, and the entrance camera is simply common. However in the context of different mid-range units, this camera system is best than most.

Verdict

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Past the attract of the Glyph’s blinking lights and the clear again’s layered parts , Nothing’s Cellphone 1 delivers nice worth. Trying previous the distinctive design, the {hardware} and software program have all of the makings of a fantastic gadget from a promising firm. As this handset checks all the proper bins. Its processor is greater than succesful, the visible expertise it delivers is similar to telephones that can value not less than $200 extra, and the cameras — the first shooter not less than — are higher than anticipated.

The Cellphone 1 is much less boring than its European competitors, making it a tool price contemplating. In different areas, the place Chinese language manufacturers are extra aggressive or supply extra choices, this handset has its work minimize out. The dearth of availability in the US is a shocker however comprehensible. Nonetheless, contemplating that is Nothing’s first cellphone, we are able to’t wait to see what comes subsequent.

Technical Specs