Nothing Phone (1)

Android Authority’s Oliver Cragg praises the Nothing Phone (1) as a striking, well-made midrange debut that punches above its price with standout design, a fun Glyph notification system, a crisp OLED display, solid main camera, and useful extras like wireless and reverse wireless charging. He tempers enthusiasm with clear reservations about the underpowered (for its hype) Snapdragon 778G Plus, anemic early software that shipped with bugs and NFT baggage, middling battery life, a poor ultrawide camera, and only IP53 splash resistance. The review emphasizes Nothing’s rapid post-launch updates and potential—calling the Phone 1 more than mere style—while advising buyers to weigh strong material quality and charm against competitive alternatives and some persistent camera and software shortcomings.

Dan Seifert from The Verge highlights that the Nothing Phone (1) is a stylish, well-priced midrange handset that mostly delivers on practical fronts while its marquee “glyph” lights lean more toward gimmick than game-changer. Allison Johnson applauds the Phone 1’s smooth 120Hz OLED, reliable under‑display fingerprint reader, solid Snapdragon 778 performance, clean Android skin, and commendable camera hardware (with decent daylight photos and useful OIS), while noting battery life and HDR quirks as real drawbacks. She details the glyph system thoughtfully—useful for selective triage, bright and customizable but limited by visibility, memorability, and manual settings—and praises inclusion of wireless charging and strong fast-charge support (charger sold separately). Overall the tone is measured and mildly approving: the review frames the Phone 1 as a genuine, enjoyable midtier phone that doesn’t live up to hyperbolic marketing but still feels like good value for the price.

Tom's Guide praises the Nothing Phone (1) as an admirable, flashy mid‑range debut that nails design personality, battery life, and an enjoyable OLED display while falling short on raw performance and camera quality. The reviewer is genuinely intrigued—enthusiastic about the glyph LED system, transparent back, clean Nothing OS touches, and strong longevity at a £399 price—yet measured and critical about overexposed, underwhelming photos, a hollow haptic motor, and Snapdragon 778G+ limitations versus the iPhone SE. Unique insights include practical glyph uses (assignable light patterns and charging indicators), solid real-world battery results, and clear comparisons to rivals like the Pixel 5a and Galaxy A53. Overall the tone is positive but balanced: impressed by the phone’s personality and value, cautiously recommending it to buyers who prioritize style and battery over flagship performance or camera prowess.

TechRadar's Alex Walker-Todd highlights the Nothing Phone (1) as a refreshingly original, well-polished midrange phone that succeeds more on personality and design than on raw specs. He praises the transparent back, lightweight feel, and inventive Glyph Interface—calling its LED-driven notifications and creative uses genuinely fun—alongside a crisp 120Hz OLED, thoughtful Nothing OS tweaks, and competent stereo audio. Criticisms focus on middling battery life, a non-flagship Snapdragon 778G Plus, and cameras that are enjoyable for social shots but not class-leading, especially the weaker ultrawide and low-light performance. Pricing positions it attractively against rivals, and promised multi-year updates add value, though software polish and US network compatibility remain questions. Overall the review is upbeat but measured: the Phone (1) is recommended for buyers who value design, novelty, and everyday capability over top-tier battery endurance or flagship camera performance.

Matt Smith assesses the Nothing Phone (1) as an eye-catching, confidently designed midrange smartphone that largely delivers on style and competent performance without redefining the category. He’s clearly enthusiastic about the phone’s transparent design and the quirky Glyph LED system — calling the look “lovable,” praising Teenage Engineering’s audio/visual touches, and noting thoughtful small details — while also tempering excitement with practical observations about mid-range specs, heat under heavy gaming, and middling battery life under intensive use. Camera performance is praised for its Sony sensor and solid daylight shots, though night images are noisy and telephoto/zoom capabilities are limited. Software is mostly clean Android with a few useful integrations, and Nothing’s promise of three years of updates reassures stability. Overall, Smith finds the Phone (1) a compelling debut: stylish and competent, perhaps a better choice for buyers who prize design over cutting-edge flagship performance.

Julian Chokkattu from WIRED praises the Nothing Phone (1) as a refreshingly simple, attractive, and affordable first‑gen smartphone that largely “just works.” He’s charmed by the playful Glyph Interface — 900 rear LEDs and matching sounds — calling it fun rather than essential, and admires the clean software, responsive in‑display fingerprint sensor, strong stereo speakers, reliable battery life, and smooth Snapdragon 778G+ performance. Camera output from the 50MP main sensor is generally impressive (night mode holds up well), though the ultrawide and action shots can disappoint, and Glyphs aren’t ideal for accurate skin tones. He flags IP53 water resistance, potential repairability concerns around the intricate rear design, and the phone’s notable absence from the US market. Overall the tone is warm and mildly enthusiastic: a measured endorsement for buyers outside the US who value design, solid core features, and good value over headline gimmicks.

Trusted Reviews praises the Nothing Phone (1) as an eye-catching, well-priced mid-range Android with a standout transparent design, an excellent 120Hz OLED, solid main camera results for daylight and a day-long battery — all for about £399/$390. The reviewer’s tone is appreciative but measured: they enjoy the Glyph LED system and clean Nothing OS but call the lights more gimmick than game-changer and note odd software-related stutters, slow camera app behavior, inconsistent HDR shots, and poor overnight standby. Performance and charging are adequate for the price, wireless charging is a welcome extra, and software-update promises are reasonable, yet the Phone (1) ultimately doesn’t outperform rivals like the Pixel A series or OnePlus Nord 2T. Overall, it’s a stylish, competent all-rounder that’s worth buying mainly for its unique look.

Andrew Lanxon assesses the Nothing Phone (1) as an impressive first effort that blends standout design with sensible, well-executed basics. He’s clearly enthusiastic about the phone’s transparent back, glyph LED lights and polished, minimalist software, and repeatedly praises the device for feeling premium at an unexpectedly low price (£399). Performance and cameras are described as “good enough” for everyday use—smooth 120Hz display, capable Snapdragon 778G+ and solid 50MP main/ultrawide shooters—while acknowledging they don’t match flagship competitors. Battery life is adequate for a day with moderate use but trails top-tier models, and fast charging requires a separate purchase. Availability, especially the lack of a U.S. launch, is a notable downside. Overall, Lanxon recommends the Phone (1) as a stylish, affordable option for buyers who value design and clean software over flagship-level specs.

Kerry Wan at ZDNET praises the Nothing Phone (1) as a refreshing, design-forward midranger that punches above its price. Enthusiastic about the phone’s polished aluminum-and-glass build, playful transparent back and Glyph LED system, Wan calls the Nothing OS a tidy, personality-rich take on stock Android and applauds the bright 6.55-inch 120Hz OLED for punchy colors. Real-world use is framed as mostly positive: the Snapdragon 778G+ handles everyday tasks smoothly, cameras (two 50MP sensors) deliver pleasing stills, and fast charging is adequate. Wan’s excitement is tempered by clear caveats—limited IP53 water resistance, middling battery endurance, occasional performance hiccups under heavy multitasking, tinny loudspeaker output, and weak ultra-wide low-light photos—plus lack of US network support. Overall, the review is upbeat and genuinely impressed, recommending the Phone 1 for style-conscious buyers who accept a few practical trade-offs.

Jason England from Laptop Mag highlights the Nothing Phone (1) as an intriguingly different mid-range smartphone that mixes striking, retro-futuristic design and a very good 120Hz OLED display with some notable first-generation rough edges. He’s enthusiastic about the Glyph Interface’s visual flair, the clean Nothing OS, solid main camera, and balanced everyday performance and battery/charging trade-offs, but he repeatedly flags hardware quality-control reports (dead pixels, dust under glass), middling gaming benchmarks, limited battery longevity for heavy users, and half-baked Glyph utility and video autofocus. Overall his tone is cautiously optimistic—charter praise for creativity and polish in places, tempered by clear reservations about durability, performance limits, and unfinished software features, calling the phone “a diamond in the rough” worth attention but not a universal recommendation.