#Phone #refreshing #smartphone #Geeko
Newly landed on the smartphone market, the Nothing brand offers with its Phone (1) a smartphone with a refreshing design, which stands out from other devices at first glance. But is it really enough to seduce?
The new brand created by Carl Pei, one of the co-founders of OnePlus, had already conquered the public with its first product, Bluetooth headphones with a transparent design, offered at an extremely competitive price. With its Phone (1), it once again plays the card of the competition with a smartphone with very convincing features, sold in stores (and on the web) at a price of €469 for the basic model (8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of memory). storage).
The brand has chosen to distinguish itself from the others above all in terms of design. Your device takes the form of the old iPhone models but adopts a “transparent” design that reveals certain elements such as the induction charger. A very sober design that, however, not everyone will like. Especially since the manufacturer had the very curious idea of integrating 900 minileds to create a “Glyph”, a notification display system that illuminates the back of the phone with each message received. It is original, fresh and should especially appeal to young people. In practice, however, not everyone will like this feature.
Still, we can’t blame him for being original. Clearly, the phone (1) is aimed at a young audience that wants to stand out. The Glyph is clearly a gimmick, but it’s stylish and will resonate with some users.
On the technical side, the phone (1) is working very well overall. Given its price (€469 for the basic model), it is impossible to be disappointed. We still find 8 GB of RAM under the hood, 128 GB of storage (and even 256 GB for only €30 more!), a Snapdragon 778G+ processor, which drives a smooth interface and also guarantees the latest standards in gaming connectivity (Wi -Phi). Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, NFC) and a 4,500mAh battery that easily lasts a long day and recharges fairly quickly, without reaching the speeds of Oppo devices.
However, two small points are disappointing. The screen, first of all, which is nonetheless a 120Hz OLED screen, capable of displaying up to a million colors, but with disappointing colorimetry. If you don’t have the eye, you won’t see much of it. But if you previously had a high-end device, you will probably be a bit disappointed with the result displayed on the screen. The colors seemed more muted to us than on the screen of a OnePlus 10 Pro or a Find X3 Pro for example.
The same disappointment with the front camera, which, whatever the configuration, could not match the performance of a €1,000 flagship and even a model like the OnePlus Nord 2T, which sold for €70 less. Photos taken with the front camera show less detail, look duller, and tend to be too soft. Fortunately, the situation is different with the rear camera, which does much better.
On the back of the device, there is a 50-megapixel main sensor (f1.8), which is supported by a 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor as well (f2.2). So there is no triple sensor, unlike most commercially sold products. But the result is very convincing both in portraits and in panoramas. The sharpness is correct, the device handles the backlight quite well, the colorimetry is good. In short, the Phone (1) passes the test without flinching, but without shining either against €1,000 devices.
Despite its minor flaws, the phone (1) offers excellent value for money. It is also positioned as a good alternative to the OnePlus Nord 2T, which was considered one of the master purchases in this price range. It stands out for its larger screen (6.55″ vs. 6.43″) and its more daring design. However, the 2T has two advantages over it: a much more successful selfie part and 80W fast charging. So it’s up to you to see what matters most to you…
On the interface side, however, it should be noted that Nothing has chosen a very sober style, which clearly won’t please everyone. It is Android 12 Stock, although with a very particular top menu in terms of design, and very few additional functions. Some videos on the web should give you more information about said interface and confirm or erase your fears.
Data sheet: Telephone Nothing (1)
-
Screen
6.55″
2400×1080 pixels
120Hz
OLED -
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+
8 core CPU
8GB RAM -
Drums
4500mAh -
connectivity
5G
WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.2
NFC -
Frontal camera
16MP f2.45
FHD 30FPS stabilized video
-
Camera
50MP f1.8 main sensor
50MP f2.2 ultra-wide sensor
4K 30FPS stabilized video
FHD 60FPS stabilized video -
Storage
128GB -
Collect
USB-C
33W fast charge
15W wireless charging
5W reverse charge -
exploitation system
android 12
the +:
- A refreshing and truly different design
- 120hz display
- The glyph, a distinctive element
- Good photographic performance
- A good price-performance ratio
- solid to play
- good autonomy
The – :
- screen colors
- The selfies, of a disappointing quality
- For many, the glyph will ultimately be a mere gimmick.
- The “Nothing” interface will not please everyone
- 33W fast charging a bit disappointing
So do we fall apart?
For its debut in the smartphone market, the Nothing brand hits hard with a high-performance device that offers very good value for money. It is true that the Phone (1) is only distinguished from other smartphones by its design, which will not please everyone, but it has a very solid data sheet. The little ones will certainly fall under the spell of the glyph, 900 minileds that light up with each notification to warn the smartphone owner of a notification and its transparent design. On the photo side, the phone (1) is also doing very well. Except for the selfies. Aside from a few minor details, the experience is pretty convincing. However, be careful, the sobriety of the interface will clearly not please all users…
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