Nothing Phone 1 Review: A Stylish Mid-Range Smartphone with Illuminated Glyphs

Nothing Phone 1 is marketed as a device that can reconnect us with a promise of more profound interactions and a bold, straightforward design. However, it falls short of the life-altering impact that Nothing portrays; instead, it is a solid mid-range phone that features illuminated lights on its rear.

The distinctive illuminated notification “glyphs” on the Phone 1 offer some practicality, but primarily, they serve as a fashionable embellishment. 

Considering the device boasts dependable performance and a reasonable price, there’s absolutely no issue with this aesthetic choice. 

The Cost of Nothing Phone 1

Phone 1 will not be available in the US. It was released on July 21^st with the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and has been priced at £399, while the version featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage has been priced at £499.

Which Markets Have Access to Nothing Phone 1

It will be accessible in the UK, various European regions, India and Japan and a few other markets. Although the smartphone does not dismiss the possibility of bringing a future product to the US market, it will not make it because it does not have FCC certification.

The Glyphs are a Cool Addition

The eye-catching feature of Phone 1 is its light strips form distinctive combinations that they call “glyphs.” There are a total of 20 glyphs, divided into two sets, each linked to a specific sound: 10 glyphs for notifications and 10 for ringtones.

 You have the option to activate one without the other—utilizing lights exclusively for silent notifications or enabling sounds without the accompanying lights. However, it’s not possible to customize the assignment of each tone to a particular glyph. 

At a broader level, you can choose a glyph for all incoming notifications and one for calls, or you can use the individual app settings for more detailed customization. 

The glyphs can be assigned to individual contacts for various app notifications and more. The brightness can be adjusted and they automatically get disabled when the battery is low – you will have to turn them on manually once the phone has been charged enough. 

Display of Nothing Phone 1

Nothing Phone 1 boasts a 6.55-inch 1080p OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate that can reach up to 120Hz, which is an impressive feature in the mid-tier class where high refresh rates are not very common.

The Phone 1 consistently maintains this top refresh rate, ensuring an exceptionally smooth scrolling experience for users.

Make of Nothing Phone 1

The smartphone is powered by the mid-range Snapdragon 778 chipset with 5G connectivity. It adeptly handles daily tasks, showcasing a high level of responsiveness, and apps load swiftly without any issues. The feel is definitely that of a more expensive one. 

Like most flagship OEMs, the phone does not feature a MicroSD card slot or a headphone jack, a trend that most manufacturers seem to be following these days. However, it does come with an IP53 rating for splash and dust resistance.

Battery and Performance of Nothing Phone 1

Nothing Phone 1 is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery that supports 33W fast wired charging. It also features Qi wireless charging, which is capable of reaching speeds of up to 15W. It also has 5W reverse wireless charging which is a feature not commonly found in most mid-range phones. 

Phone 1 does not come with a charger in the package, so you will have to purchase one separately. The battery performance is not bad. Charging it completely will last you one whole day with ease.

Camera of Nothing Phone 1

Like regular phones, there are two cameras – the main rear camera is 50 megapixel, while the front is a 16 megapixel selfie camera. Photos are clear, vibrant and detailed.

Overall it is a good mid-range phone that is great for a budgeted buy.