Nothing Phone 1 Worth It? Calls, Travel, Daily Use

The Nothing Phone 1 is worth buying for calls, travel, and everyday listening if you value a distinctive design, clean software, and solid battery life over having the best camera or the fastest charging. It delivers reliable call quality, comfortable all-day use, and good enough sound for most listeners, especially at its current price. However, it is not the right choice if you need a top-tier camera, wireless charging speeds, or the latest processor.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average walking or running pace from the time you spent and the distance you covered. The formula is:

Pace (min/km) = Total time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)

Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Total time (minutes) ÷ 60)

• t = total time in minutes (e.g., 30 minutes)
• d = distance in kilometers (e.g., 10 km)

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: you walk 10 km in 30 minutes. That gives:

Pace = 30 ÷ 10 = 3.00 min/km

Speed = 10 ÷ (30 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.5 = 20.00 km/h

So the calculator returns 3.00 min/km and 20.00 km/h. This is a fast pace, more like a cycling speed, but the formula works for any activity.

Why the Nothing Phone 1 Stands Out

The Nothing Phone 1 launched in 2022 as the first phone from Nothing, a company founded by Carl Pei, one of the co-founders of OnePlus. Its main selling point is the transparent back with glowing LED strips, called the Glyph Interface. Those lights serve as notification alerts, a fill light for the camera, and a way to see who is calling without looking at the screen. For travel and everyday use, the design is a conversation starter and makes the phone feel unique compared to the glass-and-metal slabs from other brands.

Under the glass, the phone runs on a Snapdragon 778G+ processor, which is a mid-range chip. It handles daily tasks like social media, navigation, music streaming, and video calls without noticeable lag. It is not a gaming phone, but it can run most games at medium settings. The 6.55-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is bright and smooth, which helps when you are outdoors navigating or reading in sunlight.

Call Quality and Connectivity

Call quality on the Nothing Phone 1 is generally solid. The earpiece is loud enough for noisy streets, and the microphone picks up your voice clearly during calls. The phone supports dual SIM, which is useful for travel if you want to keep your home number active while using a local data SIM. It also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for contactless payments.

One thing to note: the phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. For calls, you will need to use Bluetooth earbuds or a USB-C adapter. If you rely on wired earphones, you will need to carry an adapter or switch to wireless. The phone also supports aptX Adaptive and LDAC for higher-quality Bluetooth audio, but only if your earbuds support those codecs.

Battery Life and Charging for Travel

The Nothing Phone 1 has a 4500mAh battery, which is typical for a phone in its class. In everyday use, it easily lasts a full day with moderate usage: checking messages, browsing, streaming music, and taking a few photos. For travel, you can expect it to get through a long day of navigating and taking pictures, but you will want to charge it overnight.

Charging is where the phone shows its mid-range roots. It supports 33W wired charging, which is slower than many flagships but still gets you from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. It also supports 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, which is handy for topping up earbuds or a smartwatch. However, the phone does not come with a charger in the box, so you will need to buy one separately. For travel, that means packing a charger or using a USB-C power bank.

Everyday Listening and Audio

For music and podcasts, the Nothing Phone 1 has a single bottom-firing speaker that is loud but lacks bass. It is fine for watching videos or listening to a podcast while cooking, but for music you will want headphones. The phone supports Bluetooth 5.2 and the usual codecs, so most wireless earbuds will work well. There is no headphone jack, so if you have wired earphones, you will need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, which is not included.

One quirk: the phone does not have a dedicated DAC or amplifier, so audio quality through a USB-C adapter is average. If you are an audiophile, you might notice a slight lack of detail compared to phones with dedicated audio hardware. But for most listeners, the sound from Bluetooth earbuds like the Nothing Ear (1) or any other pair will be perfectly fine.

Camera and Video for Travel

The Nothing Phone 1 has a dual-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide. The main camera takes good photos in daylight, with accurate colors and decent detail. The ultrawide is useful for landscapes and group shots. However, low-light performance is not flagship-level; photos can be soft and noisy in dim conditions. The front camera is 16MP and is fine for selfies and video calls.

For travel, the camera is good enough for social media and memories, but if you are a photography enthusiast, you will be disappointed by the lack of a telephoto lens and the average night mode. Video recording tops out at 4K/30fps, which is fine for casual clips but lacks the stabilization of higher-end phones.

Software and Updates

The Nothing Phone 1 runs on Nothing OS, which is based on Android. The software is clean and close to stock Android, with a few unique widgets and the Glyph integration. Nothing has promised three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, which is decent for a mid-range phone. As of early 2025, the phone has received Android 14, and it is expected to get Android 15. However, if you are buying it used, check the software update status, as the phone was released in 2022 and may not get many more major updates.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that the Glyph lights are just a gimmick. In practice, they are useful for notifications and can be customized per contact. Another misconception is that the phone is fragile because of the transparent back. In reality, the back is made of glass, and the frame is aluminum, so it feels solid. However, the glass back is slippery, and the phone does not come with a case in the box, so you will want to buy one.

One common issue reported by users is that the fingerprint sensor can be slow or unreliable, especially if your fingers are wet or dirty. Another is that the phone can get warm during heavy use, but that is not unusual for mid-range phones. If you buy the phone used, check the battery health, as batteries degrade over time.

Alternatives to Consider

If you are considering the Nothing Phone 1, you might also look at the Google Pixel 7a, which has a better camera and longer software support, but a more conventional design. The Samsung Galaxy A54 offers a similar experience with a better display and longer battery life, but it is also more expensive. If you are on a tight budget, the Motorola Moto G Power has excellent battery life but a worse screen and camera. The Nothing Phone 1 is the best choice if you want a unique design and clean software without paying flagship prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nothing Phone 1 waterproof?

The Nothing Phone 1 has an IP53 rating, which means it can handle light splashes and rain, but it is not safe to submerge in water. Do not take it swimming or use it in heavy rain.

Does the Nothing Phone 1 have a headphone jack?

No, the Nothing Phone 1 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. You will need to use Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.

How long will the Nothing Phone 1 receive updates?

Nothing has promised three years of OS updates and four years of security patches. Since the phone launched in 2022, it should receive updates through 2025 for OS and 2026 for security.

Is the Nothing Phone 1 good for gaming?

The Snapdragon 778G+ can handle most games at medium settings, but it is not a gaming phone. If you play graphics-intensive games, you may experience frame drops and heat.

Can I use the Nothing Phone 1 with any carrier?

Yes, the Nothing Phone 1 is unlocked and works with most GSM carriers, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the US, and most carriers in Europe and Asia. It does not support CDMA networks like Verizon’s older network.

Does the Nothing Phone 1 support wireless charging?

Yes, it supports 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, which is useful for charging earbuds or a smartwatch.

Related

• Wired Android Auto: Switch From Wireless in 7 Steps
• Google Digital Wellbeing: A Complete Guide
• Is 10 Megabytes per Second Fast?

in t | Call time (min) | min | 30 | 0
in d | Distance (km) | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace (min/km) | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2