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)
- How Donald Trump Won
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- Why Sleep Is the Key to Living Longer
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- 22 Essential Works of Indigenous Cinema
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders