When the Nothing Phone 1 arrived in July 2022, it was certainly a counterpoint to other phones, introducing a quirky design paradigm onto the smartphone stage. It is time to bid adieu to the phone as we step into 2025. The Nothing Phone 1 will no longer receive major Android updates; meaning, the device is done after the rollout of its last software update. This article will delve into the history of the phone, its advantages and disadvantages, and why it remains a significant device in Nothing's lineup.
Introduction and Evolution of Nothing Phone 1
Founded by Carl Pei, Nothing is a brand that launched its first smartphone, Nothing Phone 1. Not priced for less than ₹30,000, yet not touching the masters and giving off an air in-between, the phone was instantly a hit due to its transparent design Glyph interface, and design quirk. It was launched initially with Android 12 and there have been three major updates for the phone (Android 13, 14, and now 15), as well as four years of security updates promised.
It was after the Nothing Phone 1 that the company launched several other devices which include:
- Nothing Phone 2 (July 2023) – An upscale successor priced above ₹40,000.
- Nothing Phone 2A (March 2024) – A cut-cost version.
- Nothing Phone 2A+ - An uninteresting model.
- CMF Phone 1 (July 2024) – A mid-range phone under the CMF sub-brand priced at ₹15,000.
Besides, other releases could stop Nothing Phone 1 from receiving software support, with the latest Nothing OS 3 update along with Android 15 arriving just recently.
What Have We Here in the Final Software Update?
While the Nothing Phone 1 has received its last major Android update, it will continue to receive security patches for a further year. The latest update included UI refinements and performance enhancements, but also pointed a finger at some other issues lingering:
- Frame drops and UI lag in certain applications.
- Camera lag issues have persisted despite multiple software tweaks.
- Gallery app limitations, where photos don’t display smoothly in the built-in gallery and require Google Photos for viewing.
- Customization enhancements include lock screen shortcuts, a redesigned control center, and improved dark mode behavior.
- Charging animation changes and added experimental features like the dot matrix title option.
One notable missing feature is Circle to Search, which was introduced in Nothing Phone 2 and 2A but left out of Phone 1 despite the update.
Goodbye Has Finally Come
Nonetheless, despite a lovely design and exceptional after-sale service in terms of continued software updates, the phone is, indeed, getting out of date. The unit launched with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SOC and UFS 3.1 storage, neither of which were stellar but were more than decent for 2022. Around the same time, competing phones at the price of ₹30,000 were powered by Snapdragon 870L, which provided way better performance.
Apart from that, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features that were unique to this price segment in 2022, have now become commonplace. As of 2025, brands like Motorola have been able to offer those features at much lower price points.
What Could Have Been Better?
Nothing has done well in terms of software updates, but some improvements could have extended the Phone 1’s longevity:
- A proprietary dialer instead of relying on Google’s dialer.
- More control over hotspot connections, allowing users to limit or block specific devices.
- Stronger security settings, such as preventing phone shutdown without unlocking it.
Final Verdict: A Memorable Device, But Time to Move On
The Nothing Phone 1 remains an iconic device, known for its unique design and innovative Glyph interface. However, with no more major software updates and better alternatives available in the market, it’s time to bid farewell.
If you still use the Nothing Phone 1, we’d love to hear about your experience. What did you love about it? What features did you think could have been improved? Let us know in the comments!
