Phone (1) hits the reset button on smartphone design / €469+

With the resources that tech giants have thrown into smartphones, it’s surprisingly difficult to find a device with an actual point of difference these days. Most mid-tier phones look the same, act the same, and are made in similar ways. By contrast, Nothing’s Phone (1) tears up the industry playbook, backing up bold design with streamlined UX and considered construction.

Since launching in Europe last summer, the reaction to Nothing’s debut handset has centred on its transparent case. Designed to stir memories of retro tech (think Gameboy or cassette tapes), the feature does far more than reveal the device’s inner workings. An alien-like array of LED indicators ensures that pesky notifications are relegated to the back of the phone.

“Less distractions. More soul.” is Nothing’s promise, and the UK maker’s Glyph Interface is just the visual component of a phone that aims to change how we interact with devices. Custom sounds and behaviours have also been engineered to transform user experience, and the Phone (1) runs a stripped-back version of Android 13 designed to boost performance and power efficiency.  

Thankfully, Nothing brings the same reductionist approach to the build of the Phone (1), with a recycled aluminium frame. and category-leading levels of recycled and bio-based plastic content. TIME magazine included the Phone (1) on its list of 2022’s best inventions, and as it continues to roll out in new markets, the world can expect to see and hear more of Nothing’s lo-fi approach to high tech.