So far, we were able to get a lot of information about this phone straight from Nothing itself. We know about the transparent back, the Glyph Interface (the array of LEDs on the back), the dual-camera package, and where it’s going to launch. There’s not much left to the imagination about this phone. Now, we’re just waiting for the core internal specs to paint a better picture of it. Those specs will be revealed during the official unveiling on July 12th.
The Nothing Phone(1) uses the Snapdragon 778G+ processor
Nothing confirmed to Input that its first phone will use the mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ processor. This will come off as disappointing to those expecting a flagship-grade processor under the hood. However, Nothing CEO, Carl Pei, gave an explanation as to why he chose a mid-range chip for the phone, and the argument holds up. Pei told Input that using the Snapdragon 778G+ will help in a few main categories: power savings, cost, and performance. The most obvious one is the cost; the Nothing Phone(1) is targeting the sub-$500 range with this phone. Using a cheaper chip will help keep the phone’s price down. Next, we have the battery savings. More expensive and powerful chips tend to eat up more of the phone’s battery. However, the Snapdragon 778G+ processor is actually a lot more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. This will, ostensibly, lead to better battery life on the phone. Now, when it comes to performance, Carl Pei brings up a good point. When it comes to handling all of the core and essential tasks, having a mid-range processor is more than enough. On a personal note, I was actually able to run Genshin Impact on the mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 700. We’re at a point where some budget-targeted chips are more than enough to carry a smartphone experience. Another thing to note is that the processor isn’t the only factor that defines a device’s performance. What’s important is the software that the processor is powering. If Carl Pei and the Nothing team are able to make a compelling smartphone experience around the processor, then it shouldn’t really be a problem. Also, while it’s not the meatiest hunk of silicon on the market, the Snapdragon is still a pretty capable chip in and of itself. It’s, literally, the next best thing to the flagship Snapdragon chips.
