As the OnePlus co-founder’s new brand officially unveiled the design of its first smartphone yesterday, the device was on view at an event hosted by Nothing in Basel, Switzerland.
That’s it: we finally know what the Nothing Phone(1) looks like. A design revealed by an official image, ahead of a launch scheduled for July 12. But the young shoot has also authorized a few handpicked influencers and journalists to take a close look at its first smartphone in Basel. The result are photos and videos showing exclusively the back of the phone – which will offer amazing functionality.
It shines brightly
We have never seen such a fuss for a mid-range smartphone. Protected by a glass dome, the Nothing Phone(1) only showed its transparent back, of which the brand seems particularly proud. But one detail had so far escaped us: it shines.
Most notably, it incorporates a few light circuits around its camera block and lower back. At regular intervals, those invited to Basel could notice that the smartphone produced a pattern of bright flashes – without knowing what triggered them.
Is the Phone(1) able to react to the music being played to provide a synchronized light ambiance? Rather, we are looking at a feature to notify users of the receipt of a notification. Like the edges of some curved-screen smartphones, for example.
Remarkable identity
This is already the identity of the brand: Nothing wants to do anything like the others. After having marketed a pair of transparent headphones with the Ear(1), the brand is preparing to take the plunge into a much riskier market: the mid-range smartphone.
Doubtless dreaming of a new OnePlus, Carl Pei’s brand is not targeting this segment by chance. OnePlus now shunned by some historical customers who believe it has lost its interest since it produced high-end smartphones, Nothing wants to reconnect with the promises of accessibility of yesteryear.
We do not yet know how much the Phone(1) will be sold for, but the – modest – technical sheet of the phone lets us imagine a price below 400 euros. In any case, the wait won’t be long before knowing if Carl’s perseverance pays off.
The segment between 300 and 400 euros is the heart of the mid-range in the smartphone market. Here are our recommendations for finding the best value for money.
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