After vaguely suggesting that Nothing may someday, possibly, whenever the time is deemed right, launch a phone in the US, Nothing CEO Carl Pei finally confirmed more details of the plans. Nothing is indeed launching the Nothing Phone (2) later this year in the US.
In an interview with Inverse, Pei talked more about his company’s US plans, calling the Phone (2) a “premium” offering that would arrive in 2023. He reiterated the reasons for not bringing the original Phone (1), reminding us once again that they were too small of a company who didn’t want to spend to get into this market, that launching earbuds first helped them gauge interest, and that the US carrier system is wack. OK, he didn’t call it that, but you can tell he would love to scream about how annoying US carriers and their certification systems are. I sure would if I were in his position.
Outside of the Phone (2) being “premium,” Pei didn’t mention much else. He still thinks that Nothing can offer an interesting alternative to Samsung and Apple because his company is young and mobile and can try things out, while those two old heads have to play it safer. He’s probably not wrong in that idea, but I do wonder if fancy lights and a too-simple OS only have so much reach. Nothing really needs to bring something special with a phone here that doesn’t just include a decent price tag and multi-year-old parts.
One area that I think Pei is saying all of the right things about is in software and in-house development. He’s not shy in admitting that Nothing had such a small staff with Phone (1) that they had to outsource a lot of the software. The company has now hired enough (they’ve jumped from 200 to 400 people total, 100 of which are on mobile) that they built out Android 13 completely in-house and will likely do the same for their next phone. Those are big moves that should lead to a better overall hardware-to-software experience.
- UNBOXING: The #100 Limited Nothing Phone (1)
In another bit of news, Pei suggested that their first retail store in the UK is so successful already that they want to open more physical stores around the globe. It seems like a weird time to expand into physical retail, but hey, give it a shot. I’m all for someone figuring out success in a place that others have failed.
To recap, the Phone (2) is coming to the US this year and it’ll be a more premium device than Phone (1). Hoping for the best.
If pei can keep the company on track
And disrupt the industry the way one plus did. He’ll have success even with out carriers. But if he gets sucked into the corpatization like One plus it’ll be short lived. Aggressive pricing with, excellent clean software, and moderate specs. Most people don’t need /want the “ultra”phone.
lol
Meh…
OnePlus version 1.5
if they price it well, it’ll be a hit, after all we’re limited to our choices on Android phones these days and personally I like the aesthetic on their OS it’s pretty quirky so hopefully they really polish it and give us a better phone that’s sub par $1,000
Considering I don’t like Samsung or Pixel phones, this might be the only android I’m tempted to buy.
intruiguing!!! i’m still on the fence about the 1’s beta program. $300 for an “if.” but, on the other hand, that price is pretty damn good.
Sounds cool. Interested in what premium looks like.
Good luck to them.
I don’t see it selling well at all in Verizon or AT&T stores if they are carrier partners.
T-Mobile is going to be a mixed bag with all of its competition.
It really depends on your definition of selling well. For a small company like Nothing, selling well might mean selling a few thousand devices. Growth is what’s important. They aren’t going to compete with Samsung or Apple for global dominance…but they also don’t have to.
Selling a few thousand devices won’t do much for them in Verizon or AT&T stores.
I see them pulling a OnePlus and doing unlocked online and physically in T-Mobile.
Cool. I am pumped for a Nothing Phone that gets 5G on Verizon.
Nope