Tag Archives: nothing

Nothing launches sports-friendly Ear (open) earphones with built-in ChatGPT for just $149

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No, it isn’t Phone (3), but to be honest, haven’t we had enough phone launches already?!

Say hello to the Nothing Ear (open), the latest ‘hearable’ from London-based tech-brand Nothing. Designed in vein with their existing Nothing Ear series, the Ear (open), as its name suggests, is an open-ear wearable and the first of its kind from the company. The newly launched device introduces a distinctive open-ear design that prioritizes comfort, situational awareness, and superior sound quality. This marks the company’s fourth mainline set of earbuds, not counting special editions (like the Nothing Ear (stick)) and their CMF budget line. Known for pushing the boundaries of audio tech with a bold design, Nothing seems intent on revolutionizing the way we experience audio on the move.

Designer: Nothing

One glance at the Nothing Ear (open), and you immediately notice the company’s signature minimalist aesthetic. Transparency is the name of the game here. Rather than having earpieces with silicone tips that create an airtight seal to lock in sound and minimize audio leakage, these open-ear wearables rest against your ear canal, firing audio directly in without compromising your ability to hear the world around you. Sort of like how holding your phone up to your ear lets you hear calls but also lets environmental sounds to make it to your ear so you’re aware of your surroundings. “A lot of people were skeptical internally, but I was really bullish on this form factor because you see people wearing regular earbuds these days, and sometimes they only wear earbuds with one bud in the ear and the other one out… because they want to what’s, you know, happening all around them”, says Nothing founder Carl Pei. “But this form factor opens up, so that you can hear all your surroundings without having to do that.”

Staying true to their design philosophy, the Ear (open) showcases a slim, see-through form factor that emphasizes the craftsmanship behind its sleek exterior. Weighing just 8.1 grams per earbud, these are designed to be lightweight and portable, and with the case measuring a mere 19 mm in thickness, you can easily slip them into your pocket. The buds also come equipped with a smart case that mirrors the same transparency-focused design the company has come to be known for, along with a dimple in the center of the lid for fidgeting purposes. Obviously, the case acts as a charging dock for the earphones when not in use.

The Ear (open) shines with its Open Sound Technology, a software feature that aims to let users enjoy immersive sound while staying connected to their environment. Whether you’re on a busy city street or in a park, these earbuds let ambient sounds like traffic or birdsong through, without drowning out your music or calls. This makes them ideal for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings—whether for safety reasons or just to feel more present.

Supplementing the open-ear design is the Sound Seal System and directional speakers. These features work together to minimize sound leakage, ensuring that you get a rich, personal listening experience without disturbing those around you. This system’s privacy-oriented design addresses one of the common pain points with open-ear earbuds, giving you the best of both worlds—situational awareness and high-quality sound.

The earbuds feature a three-point balance system that, alongside flexible silicone ear hooks, ensures the earbuds sit securely in your ears. Designed with the intent of being worn while running, exercising, cycling, or just walking through the city, the Ear (open) promises a secure fit that won’t fall out during your activities. Combined with their feather-light weight, these earbuds are designed to make you forget you’re even wearing them.

On the performance front, the Ear (open) delivers with its custom patent-pending diaphragm, titanium coating, and ultra-light driver setup. These earbuds are built to handle both the deep lows and the crisp highs, offering a balanced soundstage that’s sort of rare for open-ear designs (although we intend to verify this when we get our review unit!) The bass is further enhanced by an automatic Bass Enhance algorithm, giving the low frequencies an extra punch without distorting the sound quality… something we’ll definitely confirm once we try these bad-boys on.

You’ll get 8 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, with the total extending to 30 hours when factoring in the charging case. And if you’re pressed for time, a quick 10-minute charge provides an additional 2 hours of playback. For those who take a lot of calls on the go, the Clear Voice Technology uses AI-enhanced processing to deliver crystal-clear call quality, even in noisy environments. Trained on over 28 million noise scenarios, this tech ensures that your voice comes through loud and clear, regardless of your surroundings. Additionally, Dual Connection allows seamless switching between devices, and a Low Lag Mode is designed specifically for gaming, ensuring minimal audio delay during gameplay.

Earlier in the year, Nothing announced it was bringing ChatGPT to all its earphones, and the Ear (open) gets this feature too, allowing you to tap into GPT instead of your phone’s assistant for a more intuitive, intelligent conversation. Need to check the weather before heading out or quickly look up an answer to that random question nagging at you? Just ask—no need to fumble for your phone. The ChatGPT feature is accessible directly from your earbuds via the Nothing X app, making real-time information just a voice command away. Whether it’s getting directions, solving a debate, or grabbing quick updates on the go, ChatGPT turns your earbuds into more than just audio devices. That’s more than you can say for a pair of AirPods that are still yet to get Apple Intelligence.

The Nothing Ear (open) will be available for pre-order starting September 24th, with the official launch on October 1st. Priced at $149 USD (£129/€149), these earbuds are positioned to offer great value for those who want cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design without breaking the bank. If you’re the kind who needs music while exercising or training, these open-ear wearables might just be perfect to give a try. Especially at that affordable price point.

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Nothing Phone (3) concept brings a 3-Camera Setup and a refined Glyph Interface to the smartphone

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Thrice as good deserves thrice the number of cameras, right?

The past few weeks have been tech-heavy. First the Google Pixel launch, then IFA (where we saw multiple new phones), and then Apple announcing the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. It’s called Tech-tember for a reason, and it seems like we’re just getting started because Huawei announced their tri-fold device just days ago, and now this Nothing Phone (3) concept is grabbing eyeballs.

It’s been a while since the company’s announced a new flagship. Nothing debuted the budget Phone (2a) this year, and followed it up with the ultra-budget CMF Phone (1) later in July. While we wait for the Phone (3) to officially drop, this concept from the mind of AndroidLeo shows off an incredibly refined form that still stays true to Nothing’s original design playbook.

Designer: AndroidLeo

Purely a visual exercise on behalf of AndroidLeo, this concept shows a further refinement of Nothing’s style. Not much changed between Phone (1) and (2) barring the splitting of the Glyph interface. AndroidLeo takes the Glyph interface in this concept further by modifying its shape without diluting the character. The G-shaped arc in the Glyph gets turned into an O shape, around the wireless charging coils as well as inside them. The glyph light on the top right corner remains untouched, but the camera gets a redesigned LED array. The Phone (3) features a 3-lens setup, and the Glyphs respond to that, with an almost clover-meets-fidget-spinner type layout. A flash sits in the top right part of this glyph, while the battery and charging lights at the bottom stay intact, along with the red recording light.

Details on the Phone (3) have been scarce, although one could expect a launch probably around MWC next year if we’re looking at patterns. As of now, Nothing’s debuting a documentary on Brian Eno at the London Design Festival, and just announced a product launch on the 24th of September.

As for AndroidLeo’s concept, it’s a wonderful look at the evolution of the company’s design. Nothing’s trajectory as a company has been different from most others. They’ve been ruthlessly consumer-focused, with community events, and even encouraging of fan-made designs (whether official as a part of design contests, or unofficial concepts that Nothing proudly showcases on their YouTube).

It’s safe to say that when the Phone (3) launches, a triple-lens camera might just be the most no-brainer upgrade… especially given that Nothing has not one, but two budget phone lines – their (a) series as well as the CMF series. It just makes sense for their flagship to now become the de-facto ‘Pro’ of their mobile offering. Snapdragon hopes to announce Gen 4 of their Snapdragon 8 chipset in October, and Nothing will undoubtedly capitalize on it by being one of the first new phones to feature the processor.

The Phone (3) could also be one of Nothing’s first AI-focus phones, as the Phone (2) and (2a) both had GenAI-based wallpaper options. Aside from Gemini making its eventual appearance on all Android phones, maybe Nothing’s working on AI features for their device as well as their camera system. For now, let’s see what they have to announce on the 24th of the month.

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Nothing CMF speaker gets see-through aesthetics of the big brother in a classic radio-inspired form

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Nothing’s story has been nothing short of inspirational considering their ethical intent towards the marketplace and its consumers. Their sub-brand CMF adapts the same values for the lower segment of the market that serves the budget segment of the market.

While we’ve been awed by the Nothing Sound (1) and Nothing Bass (1) concepts – envisioning the see-through aesthetics of what a Nothing branded would be like. Since Nothing and CMF are already a strong force to reckon with for competitors, a portable speaker is something that we cannot count out from Nothing’s scheme of things.

Designer: Abdelrahman Shaapan

Unlike its big brother, CMF by Nothing doesn’t rely on transparent aesthetics to create a unique statement. Rather the brand focuses on core functionality and accessibility for a greater chunk of the market. The phones, watches and earbuds in the line-up have the signature papaya orange influence but nothing that’s see-through actually. In the concept world that is not the limiting factor and this CMF Speaker takes due advantage.

Not only does it break the convention of a portable speaker design but also fuses form with function with maximum conviction. The music accessory has the playback information including Albumart, now playing controls and track selection buttons displayed on the touchscreen, along with the Bluetooth toggle and volume knob on one side. The frosted cover panel on all sides keeps the innards semi-transparent and the USB-C charging port is positioned on the rear to keep visual integrity intact.

The front portion is reserved for the grill that conceals the drivers and the back side also has a Nothing-inspired baseplate on which the driver housing is mounted. Abdelrahman has borrowed the classic radio look for this speaker, and I appreciate this nostalgic element. Even though we will never see a transparent CMF speaker (Nothing Speaker still I’m hopeful), this is a good starting point for a budding audio accessories brand to derive inspiration.

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3D Printed CMF Phone 1 cases thrive in the phone’s innovative modular design

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The dream of the modular smartphone proposed by the likes of Project Ara and the LG G5 might have failed to become lasting reality, but there is more than one way to actually implement a modular design. Unveiled just last month, the CMF Phone 1 by Nothing tackled the problem from a different angle, one that didn’t change the smartphone design formula too much while still kicking the doors wide open for modular accessories. It’s not surprising that there was a sudden burst of creativity trying to take advantage of this new platform, and thanks to 3D printing, we can behold some of the rather curious ideas creators have when pushing the possibilities of this modular system to the extreme.

Designers: w1utree, BuildBryce, Kaburuk

To be clear, the CMF Phone 1 itself isn’t modular, but its removable back cover invites all kinds of modular accessories and attachments. As long as you can screw it on the back of the phone and retain its usability, everything is fair game. Those accessories can range from simple loops and stands to bottle openers and miniature Nerf guns. As long as you can 3D print it, anything’s possible.

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The Modular Sliding System, for example, has a creative design that integrates three sliding modules that can be a pen, an SD card holder, and even a comb. The top and bottom sliding modules unfortunately have to be curved to take into account the position of the screws on the CMF Phone 1’s back. Switching out modules is quite simple, and there’s plenty of room for other tools that you might want to always have in your pocket all the time.

The Brick Case is a bit less ambitious but even more creative, and yes, it practically turns the CMF Phone 1 into one large LEGO-like brick. At first glance, it might seem like a cosmetic design only, putting a LEGO scene on the back of your phone when that can only be appreciated or used if the phone is placed face down on a table. With some imagination and design work, however, it might be possible to 3D print functional modules as well, like one that puts a pad of sticky notes on the back of your phone.

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Coming completely out of the left field, the Foam Dart Launcher turns the CMF Phone 1 into a toy. It’s pretty much a one-shot mini Nerf gun, used to surprise friends or colleagues. It obviously has no practical benefit, but it does demonstrate the wide range of possibilities offered by the simple yet ingenious modular design of the CMF Phone 1.

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CMF-inspired clock concept with appealing aesthetics could benefit from a dose of connected features

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The see-through aesthetics of the Nothing earbuds and then the Phone (1) have inspired numerous concept designs. All these products spill the transparency of consumer electronics hardware into forms we never thought of, but love. CMF By Nothing is a more accessible brand that carries the same design philosophy and we’ve not seen many CMF-inspired designs until now.

Meet the CMF Clock concept that reimagines the reliable ticker on your wall in modern attire. The design leverages the harmonious integration of color palettes, material choices and surface finishes to mimic the CMF’s philosophy. According to the designer, this ensures the final product is a true reflection of the brand and timeless design sensibilities.

Designer: Kedar Bagaria

The aspiration for this project is to elevate the status quo of the good old wall clock, creating a balance between both form and function. Also, the vision of the concept is to pen down a design that functions as a timepiece and elevates the aesthetic appeal of any interior space – whether it’s your home or office. The depth of perception is portrayed via the shorter seconds hand while the hours and minute hands are signified by the semi-circular shaped disks running along the diameter of the clock dial.

The color palette chosen is a balanced Sierra of white, grey, black and the signature orange. The concept is imagined in three different color variants – one emphasizing the whites, the other the blacks, and the last one going for an overpowering orange look. While the design here looks gorgeous for a geeky den, we longed for an integrated functional approach that is aligned with modern needs. Things like connected features for showing important notifications, calendar updates, schedules, or preferred pings from social media apps.

The technology to superimpose a thin smart display on top and connected hardware modules like WiFi or Bluetooth will enhance the overall appeal of such a consumer product.

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Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Review: It Keeps Getting Better

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PROS:


  • Elegant transparent design and Glyph Interface

  • Improved performance across the board

  • 50MP selfie camera

  • Sustainabile design

CONS:


  • No telephoto camera

  • No wireless charging

  • Spotty operator compatibility in the US

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers on its promise of an optimal and accessible daily driver that builds on the essentials and gets it almost perfect.

It hasn’t been that long since we reviewed Nothing’s latest masterpiece, the Phone (2a) which was designed to offer an “optimal” daily smartphone. It was another way of describing what most would bill as a mid-tier device, though it was definitely one that lived up to its hype in both design and performance. It was far from perfect, of course, but it wasn’t bad either. And yet here we are now with a “Plus” version out of nowhere, not a larger version but one that promises a more premium experience, at least compared to the Phone (2a). Color us intrigued, despite the obvious monochrome motif, so we gave the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a few spins to see if it really has something to be proud of.

Designer: Nothing

Aesthetics

By now, Nothing’s design identity has been well established. It may not be the geeky full transparency many have hoped for, but it definitely managed to strike a beautiful balance between technology and art in its phones. To some extent, that design is even more refined in the Phone (2a) series, with its own unique patterns of opaque lanes snaking down the phone’s back, not unlike roads on a map. It feels like it has a story to tell, not just a composition of shapes, lights, and shadows.

Nothing also embraced that cute little oddity we noticed on the Phone (2a): a face on the back of your phone. The placement of the two cameras in the middle of the NFC coil is no accident, and the company says it gives an anthropomorphic character, almost literally. It’s like having a pair of eyes on a cartoony circular face looking at you, or at least at the person in front of you. It is not by coincidence, either, that the Phone (2a) Plus’s silicon brain actually sits beneath this face as well.

There’s also the Glyph Interface, of course, at least the toned-down version. It might not have the same head-turning effect as the TRON-like Phone (2), but it’s more practical, more efficient, and also longer-lasting. It remains useful and visible even after the novelty has worn off.

Of course, these are design elements that the Phone (2a) also has, but what sets the “Plus” model apart is its more elegant finish. The Phone (2a) Plus has a metallic edge that’s not simply machined and then polished but is actually a product of multiple intricate processes, which is to say it’s quite a laborious and somewhat costly design. It’s well worth it, however, if only for the fact that it gives the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a more stylish and premium look that raises its profile to the same level as more expensive handsets.

Ergonomics

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a few upgrades inside that we’ll get to in a moment, but despite the internal and material changes, it remains just as lightweight as the Phone (2a), exactly 190g light, in fact. This makes the phone incredibly easy to hold without feeling flimsy or cheap. That’s very important given how large the phone actually is.

The design of the edges also helps improve that grip. Nothing adheres to that modern flat design school that gives phones more angled edges that lodge themselves into your hand without biting into your skin. It is yet another balancing act that Nothing gets right, allowing users to hold such a big phone with confidence.

Performance

The biggest divide that separates the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus can be found inside, starting with the new MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G that Nothing says was developed exclusively for the brand. It’s definitely a step up from the stock Dimensity 7200 of the Phone (2a), especially by the fact that it can run at 3.0GHz max. It also has a stronger GPU with the Mali-G610 MC4 clocked 30% faster at 1.3GHz. What all these mean in practice is that the phone is even better equipped to handle mobile games, let alone the everyday tasks you throw at it. You’ll still have to dial down the settings, of course, but not to the point that games lose their visual flavor and appeal.

The large 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen definitely contributes to an enjoyable multimedia experience, especially with its 120Hz refresh rate. The display is vibrant and bright, but not so bright that it will strain your eyes. For that, it supports 2160Hz PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimming, supporting longer screen time use, though it’s still advisable to take regular breaks, regardless.

The other big upgrade that the Phone (2a) Plus boasts of is the triple 50MP camera system. No, there are still only two cameras on the back, and both definitely produce impressive output. The newcomer is the 50MP front-facing camera, up from the already good 32MP shooter from the Phone (2a). This is a Samsung JN1 with an F2.2 aperture lens and a wide 81.2-degree field of view. Suffice it to say, whether you’re taking selfies or food pics, you’ll be treated to clear, crisp, and detailed photos, even at night.

Despite the slightly more powerful hardware, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus retains the same 5,000 mAh battery. It’s still a large and generous serving by today’s standards, so you shouldn’t be worrying about going empty in the middle of the day. For the Plus model, Nothing upped the charging speed a bit to 50W from 45W. It’s not exactly the fastest on the block, but bigger brands have done worse. Sadly, there’s still no wireless charging here, which is disappointing but not unexpected. In the grand scheme of things, that is probably the least of people’s needs for a phone on this tier.

Part of the Nothing Phone’s appeal is its take on the Android experience, and the Phone (2a) Plus definitely has that down to a “T,” including the new AI buzzword. Nothing OS has been famed for its minimalist aesthetic, especially when it comes to home screen widgets. Version 2.6 adds new widgets to that set, and productivity buffs will love the new Date widget for important reminders. There’s also ChatGPT integration for getting the answers you need quickly, though it might be a controversial feature considering some privacy concerns.

Sustainability

Nothing has always positioned itself as a design-conscious company, and designers these days are also conscious of the impact that their designs have on the environment. This is especially true in the smartphone industry where material waste from production and electronic waste from discarded products continue to rise each year as more and more devices are made. That’s why it’s quite encouraging to see Nothing’s efforts in this area, from using 100% recycled aluminum for the midframe to sustainably sourcing over 50% of the Phone (2a) Plus’ plastic parts. It even reuses plastic waste from the production of the Ear (2) buds for this phone.

The Phone (2a) Plus also scores a few points for longevity, particularly with its IP54 dust and water resistance rating. We wish it had a longer software support period, which currently stands at 3 years for Android updates and 4 years for security patches. That can change somewhere down the road, and we hope it does. Where it doesn’t do well is repairability, which isn’t all that surprising considering its uncommon design. Nothing is still young, though, and with the CMF sub-brand, we could see some improvement in that regard as well.

Value

If the Phone (2a) already provided great value for its price, the Phone (2a) Plus takes that a step further. Better performance, a better selfie camera, a slightly faster charging battery, and a great distinctive design all make this handset a great sell. At only $399 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it even practically makes the $349 Phone (2a) almost ignorable, strange as that may sound. It is definitely worth considering for your everyday driver, presuming you can get your hands on one.

That is the bit that slightly takes away some of the Phone (2a) Plus’ appeal. You can always import the phone if no local store or carrier offers it, but you will have to do your own research to make sure you can actually use it in your locale. In the US, for example, it doesn’t support AT&T’s 5G network at all and only some of T-Mobile’s 5G bands. Verizon has “limited support,” which means you can use it at your own risk. It’s hardly Nothing’s fault, but it does show some of the disadvantages of being a small fish in such a large pond.

Verdict

The arrival of the Phone (2a) Plus was quite a surprise. Definitely a pleasant one, but a surprise nonetheless. It’s not like the Phone (2a) wasn’t a good phone, but now there might be even fewer reasons for people to want one other than availability and that $50 difference. That’s because the Phone (2a) Plus practically addresses some of the imperfections of its older sibling without taking away any of its charm. It definitely lives up to its promise of a powerful everyday driver, whether you’re scrolling through social media, responding to emails, or even passing the time with games.

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CMF Watch Pro 2: A Customizable Smartwatch with Gesture Control and an AMOLED Display

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It’s usually said that October is the busiest time for phone launches. It’s often when Apple announces its entire iPhone lineup, and Google its Pixel lineup too. The term Techtober is often floated about to describe this busy time, but that era’s changed. With Nothing’s sub-brand CMF announcing gadgets on 8th of July, a speculated Google event in August, and IFA Berlin in September, it does seem like the tech rollout is starting well before October. CMF by Nothing is slated to announce three products tomorrow, with their first smartphone dubbed the Phone 1 (not to be confused with the Nothing Phone (1)), and upgrades to their Buds and Watch lineup. The Watch Pro 2, which has already surfaced online, sees a radical design change this year. Instead of the rectangular display on last year’s Watch Pro, the sophomore smartwatch from the brand pivots to a circular screen. It’s an interesting choice, given that CMF will have had to redo the entire UI and OS to match this new display shape.

The redesign isn’t without reason, given that the watch is now expected to come with detachable bezels (which may also play a part in the watch’s OS). A button on the side gets replaced with a rotating crown, and the Watch Pro 2 finally looks like it’s taking on a distinct aesthetic that makes it stand out from the rest of the smartwatches out there… and that can only be a good thing.

Designer: CMF by Nothing

As per the images, the CMF Watch Pro 2 features a classic round dial design with a 1.32-inch AMOLED display. This display technology promises rich colors, deep blacks, and excellent visibility even under bright sunlight. An exciting addition is the inclusion of interchangeable bezels, allowing users to personalize the watch’s look to match their outfit or occasion. The watch is confirmed to also come with gesture controls, although the specific gestures and their functionalities remain to be revealed. This feature has the potential to streamline user interaction with the watch, making it more intuitive and convenient.

Indian Actress Rashmika Mandanna models for the Watch Pro 2

Technical specifications like battery life and processor details are yet to be officially confirmed. However, its predecessor, the Watch Pro, offered a commendable 2-week battery life on a single charge. With the CMF Watch Pro 2, we can expect similar or potentially improved battery performance. The CMF Watch Pro 2 is expected to launch alongside the CMF Phone 1 on July 8th. While the pricing details are yet to be revealed, considering the upgrades, we can expect a slight increase compared to the previous model’s launch price of Rs 4,499 (approx $54 USD).

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Nothing Headphones with physical glyph interface let’s you display your mood

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Nothing as a transparent brand reflects its vision in the see-through aesthetics of each of its offerings. The intricate working of the tech is visible, highlighting the beauty of simplicity which has resonated with many fans of the Carl Pei. They’ve focused on audio products, mainly earbuds with an official pair of headphones not far from fruition.

The inspirational transparent design of their phone and earbuds has captured the imagination of designers who’ve mustered up their thoughts on presenting what a pair of Nothing headphones would look and feel like. Case in point, the concept AIAIAI Headphones, Headset 1 and head (1). Now yet another concept pair dubbed Head.Phone (1) caught my attention for all the right reasons.

Designer: Niloy Lahiri

Where this concept design sets itself apart from those other iterations is the smart use of the Glyph interface in the headphones. It’s more aggressive looking with physically moving Glyphs that can be customized to send cool messages to the on-lookers. The texture is very nice, something that Nothing would love. The color and finish of the materials are impressive with detailing in the right places. Transparent design elements flow down to the headbands which give it the typical DNA of the brand.

The ANC, transparency and normal modes can be toggled from the physical glyph interface. The ANC mode is represented by the closing Glyph lights, while transparency has a more open representation. This way, anyone talking to you can visually understand whether you are open to conversations or just in your zone, preferring not to be disturbed. Features and specifications apart from these over-the-ear headphones will freshen up the otherwise predictable market led by consumer-centric options from Sony, Apple, Sennheiser and Bose.

Although the designer didn’t intend to create a pair that is inspired by the Teenage Engineering elements, this concept has telltale good looks. So why wear a pair that seems more or less contemporary, when you could (in the future) get the option to sport a one from Nothing?

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Nothing Phone (2a) special edition in Super Nintendo-inspired colors is a conversation starter

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Nothing is evolving in the right direction with its lineup of phones and audio accessories. The brand wants to a wider chunk of the consumer market who want a device that’s not flagship-grade but still has a design distinction without going too heavy on gimmicks. Yes, I’m talking about the Phone (2a) smartphone that has the right set of specifications for normal users.

Now, Nothing Phone (2a) is coming in a special edition version that looks absolutely stunning. Especially, gamers and nerds will trip over this for sure. On pure looks, it closely resembles the Super Nintendo controller with the red, yellow and blue hues in immaculate form. Make no mistake the smartphone market is saturated and being distinct has its brownie points. The colors come from the brand’s use of these colors on the first earbuds and the blue on the Phone (2a).

Designer: Nothing

On the inside, the Android 14 phone has the exact same hardware as the original version. There’s an 8-core chip Dimensity 7200 Pro chip, 20 GB RAM, and a 5000 mAh battery that’s bigger than the flagship Phone 2 device. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display having 1,300 nits peak brightness and 120 Hz refresh rate should suffice your multimedia needs without any regrets. On the rear, the phone has a 50MP camera with optical image stabilization and 4K video recording capability. Even the front selfie camera can shoot at 1080p – 60 FPS.

Interested buyers can order the Phone (2a) Special Edition from Nothing’s website or the Product drop at Soho store in London on June 1, in 12GB and 256GB storage configuration. The price tag of $444 will mostly interest Gen-Z. There’s no word about the US launch but we’ll keep you updated.

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Leaks suggest a Cheaper $249 version of the Nothing (2a) Smartphone under its CMF sub-brand

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Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF, has carved a niche for itself in the tech world with various accessories. But it seems they’re about to step outside their comfort zone and enter the smartphone arena. Leaks suggest their first phone, the CMF Phone (1), might be a budget-friendly alternative to the recently released Nothing Phone (2a). According to reliable leaker and developer MlgmXyysd, the CMF Phone (1) borrows heavily from the Nothing Phone (2a)’s core specifications. It notably, however, comes in the signature CMF colors of black, white, or its iconic orange, and sports an alleged $249 price tag, undercutting the Nothing Phone (2a) by $100.

Designer: CMF by Nothing

Just like the (2a), the CMF Phone (1) is rumored to pack a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, a capable processor for everyday tasks. It’ll also likely share the same 5000 mAh battery capacity, offering long-lasting power on a single charge. However, the CMF Phone (1) might compromise a bit on fast charging capabilities. While the Nothing Phone (2a) supports 45W fast charging, the CMF Phone (1) is tipped for 33W. This translates to slightly longer charging times, but hey, the phone costs less than some GaN chargers!

The display seems identical on both phones – a generous 6.67-inch OLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This offers a clear and vibrant viewing experience, along with butter-smooth scrolling. The camera department on the CMF Phone (1) is still under wraps, with rumors suggesting a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor.

One key difference between the two phones could be in design. The CMF Phone (1) is expected to have a replaceable plastic back, a departure from the Nothing Phone 2a’s unique transparent design with integrated LED lighting elements. This plastic back might make the CMF Phone (1) more affordable to produce and potentially more durable for users who are prone to accidental drops.

The leaks also mention a “Nothing Lock” feature, which could be related to exclusive CMF accessories that snap onto the phone’s back using the replaceable cover. Storage options are said to range up to 256GB, paired with 8GB of RAM, offering ample space for apps and files for most users.

The CMF Phone (1) is expected to be a budget-conscious option, with a starting price rumored to be rather low, and although leaked images say €149, tipsters have suggested a price range of $249 to $279 USD. It is likely to come in a variety of colors, including Black, Green, Blue, and an India-exclusive Orange.

Leaked image of the alleged CMF Phone (1)

While it might not boast the same eye-catching design as the Nothing Phone (2a), the CMF Phone (1) could be Nothing’s Nord or Poco Phone moment, allowing it to become accessible to an even larger audience. With a large display, a capable processor, and a long-lasting battery, the CMF Phone (1) might shake up the budget smartphone market if these leaks hold true.

Image Credits: Sarang Sheth

The post Leaks suggest a Cheaper $249 version of the Nothing (2a) Smartphone under its CMF sub-brand first appeared on Yanko Design.