Nothing reveals how the design of the Nothing phone (1) was conceived, with its transparent back cover to show all the components of the phone. Artistic vision or simple marketing discourse?
The magazine Wallpaper* asked Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing and head of brand design Tom Howard, a few questions about the design of the Nothin phone (1). What to have some elements on what we can expect for this smartphone, which will be accompanied by Nothing OS.
The same approach as the Ear 1 with a transparent back
Carl Pei and Tom Howard immediately announced that the Nothing phone (1) will take the same aesthetic approach as the Ear 1 wireless headphones, which had a translucent case. Howard says he wants to make the interior stand out, which poses some engineering concerns. Indeed, for many years, manufacturers have aimed to optimize the space available in their phones.
The design principles are therefore effectively reviewed by Nothing to show the components and especially show those that are visually interesting. The battery, for example, often occupies a significant place and it is she who is found glued to the back of the telephones. It is therefore necessary to make a choice among the few400 components in a smartphone, assembled in layers“. Howard says that “you’re looking at components that the end user normally never sees, so you almost have to redesign the entire manufacturing process in order to showcase them“.
Nothing wants to revolutionize smartphone design
Nothing points to the lack of consistency in the design of technological products, apart from Apple. The brand therefore confides that it wants its “own very distinct and iconic design language“. According to Tom Howard, Nothing’s main selling point is “the intrinsic beauty and complexity of consumer electronics“.
Other than what Pei and Howard revealed, we don’t know much about the Nothing phone (1), other than the fact that the frame will be made from recycled aluminum. Some technical specifications were leaked a few weeks ago and we know that Nothing’s first smartphone will be launched this summer.
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