Nothing, the tech startup founded by Carl Pei of OnePlus fame, is dreaming of an iPhone. We’d be glad if the phone maker brought its phone to the US
If you’re not familiar with Nothing, it’s the oddly named follow-up work by Pei, who co-founded Chinese phone maker OnePlus. The first phone, Nothing Phone (1), did debut earlier this year, but not in the US — instead, the phone has shipped in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
But that could change. statement CNBC interview (Opens in a new tab), says the company is in “early talks” with US carriers about offering phones for nothing. While Pei wouldn’t name names or provide a time frame for any announcement, the deal between the wireless carrier and None would be a big step toward US availability for future devices.
Even if it did, nothing would stop doing to make Apple sweat. But anything that expands the lineup of the best Android phones will be a welcome step for US shoppers.
None Phone 1: Why didn’t he come to the US?
The reason we didn’t launch in the US is because you need a lot of additional technical support, to support all the carriers and their unique customizations that they need on Android.
– Carl Bay
To hear Pei say that, there isn’t much mystery as to why his new company skipped the US with the launch of Nothing Phone (1) earlier this year. “The reason we didn’t launch in the US is because you need a lot of additional technical support, to support all the carriers and their unique customizations that they need on Android,” he told CNBC. “We felt like we weren’t ready before.”
Even without the US market, Nothing Phone (1) sold in decent numbers for a first-time startup device. Pay told CNBC that nothing ships 500,000 phones. Throw in the 600,000 earphones (1) and ear (sticks) that the company has sold—both of which are available around that part—and that’s a million products nothing in the wild.
Those numbers would theoretically swell if a future next-to-nothing phone appears in the US — assuming the company’s initial talks with carriers lead to a deal. While you don’t hurt for choice when it comes to grabbing one of the best unlocked phones, the fact of the matter is that most shoppers get their mobile devices through a wireless carrier. Phone makers that don’t have a US carrier showcasing their devices can struggle to make a splash.
You only need to look at Pei’s previous company, OnePlus, to see the importance the carrier plays to phone sales in the US. Early OnePlus phones certainly helped the company cement its “flagship killer” reputation, but it wasn’t until the OnePlus 6T became available through T-Mobile in 2018 that OnePlus devices became viable alternatives to more established phones.
The challenge to none
Even then, phones from OnePlus and other manufacturers have to deal with two long shadows over the US smartphone market. Apple and Samsung dominate phone sales, accounting for 78% of devices sold in the US during the second quarter of this year, based on Figures published by Counterpoint Research (Opens in a new tab). Should any phone make it to the US, it’d be competing for the remaining 20% market share with the likes of Google, OnePlus, and Motorola — and not threatening Apple’s position.
If nothing brings a future phone to the US, it will have to be polished a little more than nothing (1) to effect purity. While there was a lot to like about the mid-range phone – which at £399 competes with the likes of the iPhone SE 2022 and Pixel 6a – we found it lacking in some areas.
First, the positives: The Nothing Phone (1) was one of the few phones that debuted last year to offer its signature look. The phone is distinguished by the swoop on the graphic letters that decorate the back. These aren’t just there for show, though — the glyphs use LED lighting to alert you to incoming calls and notifications. You can also adjust different lighting patterns to identify specific callers. It’s a unique approach that helps Nothing (1) get its foot in the door.
Unfortunately, the innovations stop there. While the phone didn’t post anything better with battery life than many mid-range models in recent tests, we found its overall performance to be disappointing and its cameras failed to keep up with other camera phones. Given that we tested Nothing Phone (1) against the Pixel 5a, we assume that the image gap has only grown due to Google’s later improvements to the Pixel 6a.
Nothing in US expectations
So that doesn’t give anything two areas to work on with Nothing Phone (2), especially if it wants to bring this device to the US market. The problem is, it doesn’t seem like that’s happening any time soon, whether or not a carrier partner appears.
The Phone (2) won’t be releasing anytime soon. We focus on doing a few things well, and we won’t produce dozens of products a year like many others. Telephone (1) is our primary focus. We’re cooking something really cool in terms of software, Android 13 and beyond.December 5, 2022
goblin Subsequent tweet (Opens in a new tab) After a CNBC interview, Pei suggested that a successor to the Phone (1) is not imminent. “Phone (2) will not be released anytime soon,” Pe wrote in a tweet. “We’re focused on doing a few things well, and we’re not going to make dozens of products a year like so many others.”
If that means more time to work on improving the next phone while also getting a US carrier on board, the better for both Nothing and its potential customers in this country. Surely, there is not much work ahead of him.
[ad_2]
