Carl Pei knew that going up against Samsung, Google, and Apple would require a smartphone that was like nothing anyone had seen before. “We are breaking into one of the most competitive industries in the world,” he says. After raising over $200 million, Pei’s company, Nothing, released Phone (1) in July. With an iPhone-like design and custom version of Android OS, where Phone (1) really stands out is with its “glyph interface.” The device’s transparent backside allows 900 LEDs to create light patterns that sync with music, alerts, and vibrations. Glyph flashing patterns can be customized to, say, act as caller ID. It’s available in the U.K. and other parts of Europe, as well as India and Japan. Don’t expect it in the U.S. soon—it’s not FCC-certified.
Buy Now: Nothing Phone (1)
- Cybersecurity Experts Are Sounding the Alarm on DOGE
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Michelle Zauner Stares Down the Darkness