Tag Archives: Phone

Nothing phone (1) breaks the ice with transparent design and rear fingerprint sensor

Posted on by

Nothing’s smartphone is one of the most anticipated gadgets of 2022 that we hope revives the stagnant design status quo. This concept design gives us a sneak-peak of what could be coming our way, and the transparent aesthetics is what’ll set the Nothing phone (1) phone apart from the crowded marketplace!

Carl Pei embarked on a fresh new journey with Nothing after the huge success at OnePlus, and things have grown from strength to strength ever since we came across “Nothing.”  The brand focusing on breaking the barriers between people and technology, created quite the buzz with the debut product, the ear (1) TWS earbuds in white, and more recently the black version found many takers too. The London-based brand announced in October their partnership with Qualcomm and total funding of $74 million so far. Things are looking forward to the launch of Nothing smartphone in 2022, powered by the Snapdragon chipset, and the anticipation is running high as to when a radically designed smartphone will be released from the camp.

How the phone will look is anybody’s guess right now, but it could get the same transparent design treatment as on the earbuds. I just love the idea of a smartphone with a transparent back showing off all the intricate hardware components. Design student Osho Jain shapes our vision of a transparent Nothing phone (1), and how it would actually look. The concept revolves around the same design philosophy that’s apparent in Nothing’s vision and their first-ever consumer product. The phone has a clear back panel immaculately showing the wireless charging coil and the camera module in a cool sea green color. The fingerprint sensor moves to the rear – indicated by the tactile touch of a red button.

At key places on the back, there are words etched on the panels covering the components. Things like “Rethinking Everything,” “Nothingness of this Universe” or “Power in Less.” The phone has a peculiar OnePlus feel to it, and I don’t blame Osho to go that way since Carl’s contribution in crafting the flagship killer has been pivotal in the brand’s success.

There’s no mention of the hardware specifications of the concept phone visualizing the future of Nothing, but we presume they are going to be flagship-level, at a much lower price tag. The focus of the concept here is on the form and the sleek shape of the phone’s rear. I can just keep staring at that back panel all day long, and not get bored, ever!

Designer: Osho Jain

 

The post Nothing phone (1) breaks the ice with transparent design and rear fingerprint sensor first appeared on Yanko Design.

A limited edition iPhone 13 Pro made from a melted Tesla Model 3 is an exercise in extravagance

Posted on by




Apple and Tesla lovers have got themselves a match made in heaven – an exclusive iPhone 13 Pro made from the melted parts of the Tesla Model 3 EV. If that’s not enough, Caviar has one more surprise for you!

Russian luxury brand Caviar is no stranger to creating exorbitantly priced unique creations made from unexpected materials. Things like iPhone 13 Pro made from Dinosaur tooth or gold-plated versions of PlayStation 5 gaming console. And yes, who can forget the Steve Jobs and Jack Ma commemorative phones from the Visionaries collection. The lifestyle luxury brand has shown us how any accessory or gadget can be turned into the most valued possession money can buy.

The latest addition to their Visionaries collection presented earlier this year is the iPhone 13 Pro made partly from the melted Tesla Model 3 parts. Yes, that’s true – if Caviar touches something it is destined to be extravagant. They call it the iPhone 13 Pro Electro which is dedicated to the future visionary Elon Musk. The final creation here oozes with the spirit of the Tesla brand and its values. It has got a robust frame made out of titanium mixed with black PVD coating – a method typically used in Swiss watchmaking. The stand-out bit of this limited-edition iPhone 13 Pro is the shock-resistant steel-colored metal insert which is salvaged out of a remelted Model 3 electric car.

The amazement doesn’t end there as the phone gets aluminum panels from the EV’s body, and it has the engravings of Elon Musk and the Tesla logo etched in amazing detail. To keep reminding the proud owners of the legacy, there is a copper insert (with Caviar branding) on the rear as a tribute to electric motor coils that are eventually responsible for eco-friendly commuting in the most economical way. This iPhone 13 Pro is going to be quite rare, as only 99 units will be handcrafted in total with the base variant carrying a steep price tag of $6,760.

If your Elon obsession is no match for the fat bank account of yours, then the Visionaries collection has got one more surprise for you. This new creation is announced alongside the Elon Musk bust which proudly sits on top of a black marble base having a double gold-plated plaque for the serial number. The bust is made completely out of Tesla Model 3 parts like the hood, doors and other metal panels. This one is even more exclusive as only 27 busts will be made in total and cost you back $3,220!

Designer: Caviar

Click Here to Buy Now!

Caviar iPhone 13 Pro Electro

Caviar Elon Musk Tesla Bust

The post A limited edition iPhone 13 Pro made from a melted Tesla Model 3 is an exercise in extravagance first appeared on Yanko Design.

This rugged smartphone has a rear screen + DSLR like camera sensor to be the next big thing for vloggers

Posted on by

NT Industrial Design Studio has surprised us all these years with passionate designs that are crafted to millimeter detail. Thanks to the relentless effort put in by Portugal-based designer Nuno Teixeira, we get a new perspective of objects and functionality that is right on point. Nuno’s latest concept design takes smartphone function to new highs – virtually turning your BFF gadget into a vlogging, video shooting and photography companion.

The designer calls it THEIA Imaging Smartphone Concept, and instantly it gives off that peculiar camera dominant vibe. Looking more like a typical handheld gaming console from the yesteryears – the ones that played 2D games in monochrome colors – the concept looks like any other smartphone up-front. But on the rear side, it has a completely alien design to cater to premium photography and video shooting needs. It even has a small screen on the rear specifically in place for creating vlogging content. There’s a vertical-aligned screen right by the side of a 50 MP 1/1.12″ camera sensor (comparable to a 28mm / f1.8 DSLR lens) to make it ultra-easy for people who shoot a lot of videos/photos. Such a good sensor means the low light photography is a step up from flagships on the market. The rugged-looking phone has a teardrop camera for selfies which is a bit old school for 2021 since punch-hole cameras are the norm currently.

The textured surface on the lower half of the gadget provides superior grip for stable footage – and yes it can shoot underwater too, thanks to the IPX8 rating for dust and water resistance. Theia also has dedicated shutter buttons on either side of the surface for ergonomic comfort of use. Powering the guts of the device is the Snapdragon 888 flagship processor that takes care of all the image processing and fancy tech to leverage the most out of the powerful rear camera sensor. The phone also gets a full-fledged array of unidirectional built-in microphones and a 3.5 mic input.

On the software front, the camera hones multiple color filters, 4K slow-motion at 120fps, and 5-axis image stabilization. The latter promises excellent shooting quality in the most unstable shooting environments – for example, while running on rocky mountain terrain or during action sports. To make sure you never fall short of ports to pug-in, the vlogging-centric phone gets 3 USB-C ports (two on the sides and one on the bottom) and a micro-SD accessible slot.

Designer: NT Industrial Design Studio

The post This rugged smartphone has a rear screen + DSLR like camera sensor to be the next big thing for vloggers first appeared on Yanko Design.

This rollable phablet brings the big screen experience to your pocket without any excessive bulk!

Posted on by

A big rollable screen smartphone/tablet (a phablet to be precise) that’s designed to be the style statement in your pocket without the bulky form factor associated with big-screen mobile devices.

After foldables, the next revolutionary upscaling to the contemporary form factor of smartphones and tablets is going to be the rollable design. The Scroll bendable roll-out phablet designed by Compal Electronics is a perfect example of how smartphones will be an even more of an extension of our personality. The rollable device takes a cue from the hotshot mobile device manufacturers who have already fascinated us with their rollable phone concept designs. The likes of LG, Samsung, TLC and OPPO who are looking beyond the avenue to make scroll-like mobile devices mainstream.

Compal’s rollable phone (or should I say tablet) draws inspiration from the ancient papyrus rolls, enhancing the in-hand experience with readability. The upmarket device does this by enhancing the inherent benefits of the flexible display. Scroll comes with a 10-inch bendable screen that rolls out with the push of a button and retracts back into the opulent tube when not required. The amount of screen real estate that you require (up to 10-inches) is completely at the user’s discretion. A perfect way to carry the digital world in your pocket or bag in style. The company envisions this concept to radically reduce the packaging required, due to this compact shape and design.

Scroll has a secondary display on the outside to beam important notifications, display the interface of media players, or alert the user of incoming calls. The rollable device is targeted for the high-end market since it comes in a plush casing and leather finish. The front-facing camera is placed on the upper edge of this casing so that the user can click selfies. The rear-facing shooter is positioned on the opposite end of the casing, although no specifications of either camera are mentioned by the designer.

Designer: Compal Electronics

This iPhone 14 design with a solo powerful rear camera could be Apple’s way of shaking up the smartphone industry

Posted on by



 

An Apple iPhone 14 proposed design that challenges the design iteration of the phone’s camera module.

Now that the powerful and sleek iPhone 13 series is out there to have, the focus for the tech community shifts to the next smartphone in development by Apple. The iPhone 14 is more than 10 months away from fruition and the speculations about how the device will look are already out in the cloud. The phone might take a detour in terms of design from the flattened sides to the contoured design, similar to the iPhone 7. That’s because Apple tends to adapt the old successful designs for the smartphone – take the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 as examples which adapted the famous iPhone 5 design.

How the next exciting iPhone will look is anybody’s guess, for now, to be frank, but industrial designer Laci Lacko believes it could be a radical leap with its roots tracing back to the iPhone 7 series. That similar rounded side design lending it a thin feel in hand. Surprisingly, the designer doesn’t give us a peek into the front of the device, but going by the rumor mill, it should have minimal (as compared to iPhone 13) or no notch at all. What’s highlighted in this concept phone is the rear camera module.

A big protruding single 35mm lens setup that has an f1.2 i aperture sensor promises the ultimate photography experience. Something comparable to a DSLR. The lens is so big, it almost feels like an add-on to the sleek body frame of the imagined iPhone. While I believe, this design will never make it past the drawing boards, still who’s stopping concept designers from challenging the future of very stagnated phone design philosophy. My only gripe from this design is the lack of front-on images of the phone .

Designer: Laci Lacko

This AI-enabled phone case has detachable display that prioritizes and manages your notifications!

Posted on by




A smartphone case that lets you focus on work at hand without being worried about missing any important notifications.

Smartphones are like a second skin to us as they constantly keep beaming notifications (more than 100 in a day on average) that can adversely affect productivity and focus levels. It is like, we get sucked into using our phones even when we don’t intend to. More often than not users rarely toggle their phone notifications – to filter out the ones that are not important. This calls for a perfect opportunity to develop a gadget that can prioritize notifications on the phone and over time learn how the user interacts with these notifications to only beam the important ones on priority.

Meet Noa, a detachable phone case that comes with an AI-enabled e-ink screen to learn the user’s response to particular notifications. What I find the most intuitive about Noa’s design is the fact that it can be detached right off the case whenever needed. This in a way physically segregates you from your phone’s inviting notifications to prevent any untimely disruptions without worrying about missing out on what matters to you the most. It can also be used as a kickstand to set up a notifications center and have the phone out of sight.

 

Noa has an e-ink display that is gentle on the eyes and it seamlessly slides into the phone case housing near the bottom courtesy of the strong magnets. The gadget connects to the phone’s OS and intelligently ascertains whether a notification requires immediate attention or can be kept aside to be checked later on. To be precise, Noa sends the right notifications at the right time. The smart software of this accessory constantly tracks user behavior to get better over time and determines the display position of notifications in the interface.

It can also send quick replies thanks to the Quick Reply AI, which comes with Summarization AI to organize longer notification messages and automatic scheduling based on the important times and dates in the user’s calendar. Noa is in a true sense a gadget that does the hard work for the user without missing out on vital notifications that matter the most.

Designer: Darren Wells

 

This Xiaomi Smartphone perfectly matches their “Alive” philosophy with its minimal form

Posted on by

When one looks back at the evolution of smartphones, we’ve come a long way in terms of hardware and design. Right from the walkie-talkie-like design to the current day bezel-less form factor. Talk of the hardware – and it has been a technological revolution – literally bringing the computing power of a PC to the handheld gadget. According to Statista, the number of smartphone users worldwide has crossed three billion and is estimated to grow by several hundred million in the next few years. That’s approximately 35 percent of the total world population who have access to this ground-breaking piece of technology. While tech giants are exploring the realms of foldable and retractable smartphone designs, simplicity is something that suffices our daily needs.

Industrial designer Yifan Hu has come up with the Xiaomi Mi phone of the future inspired by the brand’s latest venture into the “Alive” branding identity announced in March 2021. The new dynamic logo designed by a world-renowned designer, professor of Musashino Art University, and the President of the Nippon Design Center (NDC), Kenya HARA. The contoured corners of the logo are created using superellipse mathematical formula are aesthetically pleasing, and so is the smartphone concept designed by Yifan. This Mi phone results from the perfect balance between a square and circle shape – the very essence of Xiaomi’s brand identity going forward.

The phone follows the “Alive” philosophy to the core to signifying a profoundly active life. Have a closer look at the rounded body frame and the contoured camera module housing. Even the phone profile toggling button carries the same theme for visual uniformity. The device is pretty thin and looks ergonomically balanced to hold for the feel-good factor. Quite aptly, the new “Alive” themed logo on the back perfectly matches the overall design of the concept smartphone. Yifan imagines the device in wantable colors, including coral green, see blue, peppy orange, off white, and grey. So, would you want one of these phones in the palm of your hand? I surely would not mind having one – the current designs have got so monotonous, haven’t they?

Designer: Yifan Hu

The retro phone gets a modern day office redesign that Michael Scott won’t throw away!

Posted on by

Do you still have your phonebook? You will need it with this redesign of the classic retro office phone by Martin Poon!

We use retro products all the time to create an aesthetic, and while the “90’s vibe” has become more of a photography filter, we love to see designers breathing life back into some of our favorite nostalgic items. Not long also we knew phone numbers by heart and had an address book, this simplified desktop phone brings back all of the good memories without any of the bad UI! The new/old phone has debossed buttons that won’t wear out like the silkscreen print, soft ear pads, and a single-piece keypad that makes it easier to clean – no crumbs! We love talking about the good old days but certainly don’t remember contact numbers like we used to so this phone comes with a cloud contact list that lets you reminisce without feeling old. The most futuristic (and probably extremely important) thing about it is that it comes with USB ports to charges other devices. So now your phone or iPhone will never be at 1% again.

This design invokes nostalgia, memories you have kept for your memory box – some of them have such a strong emotional value attached to their design making it a worthy addition to every desk!

Designer: Martin Poon

Nubia’s new Red Magic phone packs a 165Hz screen and up to 18GB of RAM

Posted on by
Nubia has come a long way since it first stuffed a cooling fan into its Red Magic gaming phones. Today, the Chinese brand is back with the Snapdragon 888-based Red Magic 6 series, which not only boasts a faster internal fan, but also two world firsts...