The Nothing Phone 1 is an easy one to recommend, but it isn’t for everyone. If you want a faster chipset and the best graphic settings on Android games, charging that tops up your phone in 15-20 minutes, or a feature-packed user interface that lets you customize every tiny detail, the Nothing Phone 1 is not for you.
| Launch date | Released | October 24, 2022 | ||
| Price | ₹ 29,999 | |||
| Processor | Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | |||
| GPU | Adreno 642L | |||
| Memory | RAM | 8/12GB, LPDDR5 | ||
| Storage | 128/256GB, UFS 3.1 | |||
| Body | Dimension | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | ||
| Weight | 193.5 g | |||
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | |||
| Water Resistant | IP53 – splash, water, and dust resistant | |||
| Colors | White and Black | |||
| Display | Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typical), 1200 nits (peak) | ||
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | |||
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio | |||
| PPI | ~402 PPI density | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |||
| Camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm, AF | |||
| Videos | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR | |||
| Selfie | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1″, 1.0µm 1080p@30fps | |||
| Capacity | Li-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable | |||
| Charging | Fast charging 33W, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 70 min | |||
| Wireless | Wireless charging 15W Reverse wireless charging 5W | |||
| OS | Version | Android 12, Nothing OS 1.1.4 | ||
| Updates | 3 years system 4 Years Security | |||
| Sound | Speaker | Dual stereo speakers | ||
| Audio Jack | USB Type-C | |||
| Connectivity | Sim | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | ||
| 5G Bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | |||
| NFC | Yes | |||
| AnTuTu Scores | Overall | 580784 | ||
| CPU | 163943 | |||
| GPU | 179235 | |||
| UX | 123840 | |||
| Geekbench Scores | Single-core Multi-core | 797 2803 | ||
| USP/Highlights | The combination of NothingOS, the chip, and the 120Hz screen means the Phone 1 always feels smooth and responsive. On the front of the Nothing Phone, 1 is a 6.55-inch OLED screen with a 2400 x 1080 pixels resolution, 10-bit color, HDR10+ certification, a 240Hz touch-sampling rate, and a maximum 120Hz refresh rate. |
Review
Design
The Nothing Phone 1 is unlike anything I’ve seen and the unit comprises a matrix of LEDs which the company calls the glyph(sign) interface. The interface brings superb features to the mix and helps relay call/battery information when the phone is kept facing the screen down.
The back of the device, while not truly transparent, acts as a window into the phone’s wireless charging coils, LEDs, and the works. I would’ve liked to see the option to have customized notifications for popular messaging and social media apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. instead.
All said, the Nothing Phone 1 glyph interface is decidedly more than just a party trick. On the bright side, the smartphone ships with the best haptics I’ve used on a sub-Rs 35,999 phone to date.
Display
The Nothing Phone 1 ships with a 6.55-inch, FHD+, OLED display. The panel offers a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and touts a 10-bit color depth, which can be credited to its snappy touch sampling rate of 240Hz. the panel is a treat to look at and the screen evinces poppy colors, great viewing angles, and deep, dark blacks. The display’s peak brightness is rated at 1,200 nits. On the bright side, the Nothing Phone 1 screen comes layered with Corning’s Gorilla Glass v5, which should alleviate scratches and scuffs to a certain degree.
Performance and Software
The Nothing Phone 1 is backed by the mid-tier Snapdragon 778G+ mobile chipset which works alongside up to 12GB of LPDDR5 memory and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The SoC is capable enough to drive a user’s daily workload which usually involves browsing social media apps, running a dozen tabs on chrome, watching movies on Netflix, or messaging on IM services like WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.
Software-wise, the device boots Nothing OS v1.0.2 on top of Android 12. The near-stock interface has a lot going for it and is among the rare breed of custom skins to ship without any bloatware. Nothing OS features a dedicated Wi-Fi toggle, nestled inside a giant circle at the top of the menu. Unfortunately, you have to swipe a couple of times if you want to interact with it (three times, to be precise).
Cameras
The company has outfitted its first phone with two 50MP sensors, including a Sony IMX766 main shooter and a 50MP Samsung JN1 ultrawide lens. For selfies, the device gets a 16MP Sony IMX471 sensor up front. The Phone (1)’s 50MP main sensor clicks superb images during the day. Unlike most competing devices, photos snapped with the phone (1)’s primary camera exhibit reasonably authentic colors.
The same is true for the smartphone’s 50MP ultrawide angle sensor too. The unit clicks superbly detailed photos with ample sharpness around the edges of the frame, so no complaints here either. As for videos, the Nothing Phone 1 can record clips in up to 4K resolution at 30FPS. The smartphone even comes with OIS, which overlays the way for smooth, jitter-free footage.
Gaming
What’s more, the Nothing Phone 1 can run graphically-demanding games at competent settings too. Apex Legends Mobile, for instance, runs at 60FPS, albeit at a Lower Graphics preset (Normal). In CoD Mobile, you’ll be able to run the game at ‘Very High’ graphics and ‘Max’ FPS presets respectively.
Battery
Following in Apple’s footsteps, Nothing has decided against bundling a wall charger with the Nothing Phone 1. What’s more, the device’s charging speed tops out at 33W. The handset’s 4,500mAh cell averaged around six hours of screen time, which is great.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone 1 starts at Rs 32,999 in India and for the price, goes up against a bunch of heavy-hitters in the market. Truth be told, I wasn’t impressed with the Nothing Phone 1 spec sheet when it was initially teased online. But, what the Phone (1) lacks in performance, it makes up for in other areas.
To wit, the smartphone’s design and glyph interface comes across as a breath of fresh air. The device offers a tidy UI which is void of any bloatware as well. At the same time, the interface bids heaps of customizability and the company is guaranteeing three years of OS upgrades too.
Google Pixel 7 Pro, Moto Edge 30 Ultra