in the US

So far, the young smartphone manufacturer Nothing has focused on the markets in Europe and Asia with its Phone 1. Now Nothing also wants a piece of the big US market. Founder Carl Pei gives an insight into how the leap across the Atlantic should succeed.

Cancellation of Phone 2: Long live Phone 1

In an interview with the US network CNBC, Nothing founder Carl Pei talks about his plans to explore the US market for the company. Above all, the specifications of the local mobile network operators have been an obstacle for the start-up so far.

Although Nothing is not yet profitable, Carl Pei is aiming for black numbers by 2024. Having a presence in the US can help with that. What Pei also confirms: Contrary to expectations, the market entry should not start with the Phone 2, but with the first Nothing smartphone: The Phone 1 was presented in 2022 and will soon also be available with Android 13 as the operating system. Unlike other well-known manufacturers, Nothing does not want to bring new products onto the market every year.

Nothing's stated goal: to attack Apple's iPhone

Technically, Nothing can already keep up with the big manufacturers with its Phone 1. Numerous investors secured a quick start for the British company's first smartphone. More than a million products have now been sold, including around 600,000 Phone 1s.

To compete against the iPhone, Nothing needs to reach the younger generation, which is all about Apple in the States. Carl Pei makes this fact clear himself. However, he wants to take on the challenge and score points with his no-frills open-source system. Apart from that, the concise LED glyphs on the transparent back of the device are a cool unique selling point.

And the solid performance of the Phone 1 is impressive: A fast chip, sufficient RAM and a clean operating system without third-party labels arouse sympathy. If one of the nationwide US mobile phone providers can be won as a partner, nothing will start its expansion across the pond, according to Pei's plan.