A few years ago, the smartphone world was getting a little boring. Most phones looked the same. They were black or white rectangles. Then, a new company called Nothing arrived. They launched the Nothing Phone (1). This phone created a huge amount of excitement. It was different. It dared to be unique. Today, we look back at this interesting phone. We will see if the Nothing Phone (1) is still a smart choice to buy in 2025.
The Nothing Phone (1) was not just another phone. It was a statement. The company was started by Carl Pei. He was one of the co-founders of OnePlus. People were excited to see what he would do next. The goal of Nothing was to make tech fun again. The Phone (1) was their first big step. Let’s dive deep into what made this phone so special and how it holds up now.
Table of Contents
A Design That Broke the Rules
The first thing you notice about the Nothing Phone (1) is its back. It is transparent. You can see some of the parts inside the phone. This was a very bold move. Other phones hide everything. Nothing decided to show off the inside. You can see the large wireless charging coil. You can see screws and ribbons connecting different parts. It looks like a piece of modern art.
This design was not just for looks. It felt premium. The front and back were made of tough Gorilla Glass. The frame was made of recycled aluminum. It felt solid and comfortable to hold. The sides were flat, which was a popular design choice at the time. Even today, in a world of foldable phones and new designs, the Nothing Phone (1) stands out. It does not look old. It looks intentional and cool. It’s for people who want their phone to be a conversation starter.
The Glyph Interface: Lights, Sound, and Action
The transparent back was only half of the story. The other half was the Glyph Interface. This is the most famous feature of the Nothing Phone (1). The Glyph Interface is a set of over 900 small LED lights on the back of the phone. These lights are arranged in a unique pattern.
But what do they do? They are a new way to get notifications.
- Calls and Notifications: You can assign different light patterns to different contacts. When someone calls, the lights flash in their special pattern. You know who is calling without even looking at the screen.
- Charging Status: When you plug the phone in to charge, a light strip at the bottom fills up. It gives you a quick visual of the battery level. When you use wireless charging, the lights around the coil pulse gently.
- Google Assistant: You can use the lights as a visual indicator when you talk to the Google Assistant.
- Fill Light for Camera: The LEDs can act as a soft, gentle flash for taking photos of people up close. It is much softer than a normal camera flash.
When it first came out, some people called the Glyph Interface a gimmick. They thought it was just for show. But many users grew to love it. It allowed them to put their phone face down and still be connected. It was a simple idea, but it was executed well. Nothing has continued to add more features to the Glyphs with software updates over the years.
A Beautiful and Smooth Display
A phone’s screen is very important. It is what you look at all day. The Nothing Phone (1) has a great display, even by 2025 standards. It is a 6.55-inch OLED screen. OLED technology means the colors are very bright and vibrant. The blacks are very deep and dark. This makes watching videos and looking at photos a joy.
The screen also has a 120 Hz refresh rate. This sounds technical, but it is simple to understand. A higher refresh rate makes everything on the screen feel smoother. When you scroll through social media or a website, it looks fluid and fast. Most cheaper phones at the time had a 60 Hz or 90 Hz screen. The 120 Hz display made the Nothing Phone (1) feel more expensive than it was. The screen is also bright enough to use outdoors in the sun without any problems.
Performance: The Smart Mid-Range Choice
Inside the Nothing Phone (1) is the Snapdragon 778G+ processor. This was not the most powerful chip available back in 2022. Flagship phones had faster processors. However, Nothing made a very smart choice here. The Snapdragon 778G+ was a very reliable and efficient mid-range chip.
What does this mean for you today? It means the phone is still very capable. It can handle all your daily tasks with ease. Apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Chrome run perfectly. You can also play most popular games without any issues. Very heavy games might require you to lower the graphics settings, but for the average user, the performance is more than enough. By choosing this chip, Nothing kept the price of the phone down while still offering a great experience.
Software: Clean, Fast, and Simple
The software on a phone is just as important as the hardware. Nothing created its own software called Nothing OS. Nothing OS is built on top of Android. The best thing about it is how clean it is.
Many phone companies add lots of their own apps and features that you might never use. This can slow down the phone. Nothing OS is the opposite. It is very close to the “stock” Android experience that you find on Google’s Pixel phones. It is fast, clean, and easy to use.
Nothing also promised three years of major Android updates and four years of security updates. This was a big commitment. It means that even in 2025, the Nothing Phone (1) is running a recent and secure version of Android. This is a huge advantage over other phones from that era that may have stopped receiving updates long ago.
The Cameras: Solid and Dependable
The Nothing Phone (1) has a simple camera system. There are two cameras on the back.
- A 50-megapixel main camera.
- A 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera.
There are no useless macro or depth cameras here. Nothing focused on two good, high-quality sensors. In good daylight, the photos from the main camera are excellent. They are sharp, detailed, and have nice, natural colors. The ultra-wide camera is also very good for taking pictures of landscapes or large groups of people.
In low light, the camera performance is decent. It can take good photos at night, but it might not compete with the expensive flagship phones of today. For the price, the camera system is very solid. The front camera is also good for selfies and video calls. Overall, it’s a dependable camera that will not disappoint the average user.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery inside the Nothing Phone (1) is a 4500 mAh unit. For most people, this is enough to last a full day on a single charge. If you are a light user, you might even get a day and a half.
When it’s time to charge, the phone supports 33W wired charging. This can charge the phone from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging, which was a great feature for a phone in its price range. It even has reverse wireless charging. This means you can place another device, like the Nothing Ear (1) earbuds, on the back of the phone to charge them. One thing to note is that the phone did not come with a charger in the box, so you had to buy one separately.
The Verdict in 2025
So, we come to the main question. Should you buy the Nothing Phone (1) in 2025? The answer depends on what you are looking for.
The price of the Nothing Phone (1) has dropped a lot since its launch. You can now find it for a very affordable price, especially if you buy it used or refurbished. It offers incredible value for the money.
You should buy the Nothing Phone (1) if:
- You love its unique transparent design and the Glyph Interface.
- You want a clean, fast software experience with no bloatware.
- You need a phone for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming.
- You want a great screen and all-day battery life on a budget.
- You want a phone that feels special and different from everyone else’s.
You should probably skip the Nothing Phone (1) if:
- You are a serious gamer who needs the absolute best performance.
- You need a top-of-the-line camera that is amazing in all light conditions.
- You want the latest and newest model, like the Nothing Phone (2) or a newer device.
The Nothing Phone (1) was never meant to be the most powerful phone. It was meant to be an interesting and well-balanced phone that brought fun back to the market. It succeeded. Years later, it remains a fantastic and stylish device. It proves that a good design and a great user experience never go out of style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main highlight of the Nothing Phone 1?
The main highlight is its design. It features a transparent back panel and a unique set of LED lights called the Glyph Interface, which provides custom notifications.
Does the Nothing Phone 1 have wireless charging?
Yes, it supports 15W Qi wireless charging. It also has 5W reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other compatible devices.
Is the Nothing Phone 1 still receiving software updates in 2025?
Yes. Nothing promised four years of security updates from its launch in mid-2022. This means it should continue to receive important security patches into 2026, keeping it safe to use.
How does the Nothing Phone 1 compare to the Nothing Phone 2?
The Nothing Phone (2) is a more powerful and refined version. It has a faster processor, a slightly better screen, and an improved Glyph Interface. However, the Nothing Phone (1) is now much cheaper and still offers the core experience that made the brand famous.
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