It’s Time for Our Phones to Be Cool Again

CMF's new Phone 1 tech specs are pretty pedestrian, but once you've seen it, you'll probably want one. And that's the point.

Not since the Nokia 3310’s Xpress-on covers have phones looked so cool. Why do smartphones have to be powerful, complex, delicate computers? Why can’t they be cheap, fun, and rugged? Especially as mobile computers are now so powerful that even a cheap one is good enough. The CMF Phone 1, the first budget handset from Nothing, is a welcome step away from the homogenization of the phone industry.

"Absolutely, there's a growing niche for phones that prioritize fun and personality over cutting-edge technology. Similar to how Swatch revolutionized watches by transforming them from mere timekeepers into fashion statements, there’s potential for mobile phones to go the same route. These devices could appeal to the younger demographic who value uniqueness and self-expression over high specs," Chris Sorensen, CEO at PhoneBurner, told Lifewire via email.

Xpress Yourself

Perhaps the iconic phone of the early 2000s was Nokia's 3310, famed for its durability and usability but also known for its replaceable casing, which let you swap the standard dull office-conformity covers for, well, pretty much anything, from graffiti-covered to plain shocking pink. It's what we do now with phone cases, only you didn't need a case.

Back then, we prized phones for their looks, their size (smaller was better), and their ringtones. They all made phone calls and sent texts, although some made it easier than others (try texting on an early 2000s Motorola after experiencing Nokia's user-friendly design if you want to experience rage and frustration). We didn't worry about RAM or CPUs or AI capabilities. We shopped for phones like we shopped for sneakers. They had to be cool, comfy, and fit our own sense of style. Wouldn't it be nice to have a bit of that back?

Nothing's CMF Phone 1 is a throwback to when phones were more than just slabs of glass, and we are 100 percent here for it. Not since Marc Newson designed the stunning Talby phone for Japan's KDDI in 2004 have I wanted a phone this hard. Inside, it's running Nothing OS 2.6, on top of Android 14, packs a 50-megapixel camera (plus a 16MP selfie cam), 120Hz Super AMOLED screen, and a microSD card slot. But the real point of this phone is the accessories.

The Phone 1 comes with a small screwdriver, which you can use to remove the rear cover. There's also an accessory port into which you can screw various extras—a magnetic card wallet mount, a lanyard/strap loop, or a kickstand. Nothing makes a small range of colored covers, and hopefully, this phone will be popular enough at just $199 to support an aftermarket in third-party accessories.

The removable cover also makes it easy to get to the battery for easier replacement.

App Angle

So why don't we have more phones like this? The short answer is, because we don't. Phone makers are so focused on making powerful new handsets (Apple, Google) or cheap handsets that look like iPhones that there's not really much else around. The result is that all phones look the same. And even at the high end, there's very little to distinguish an iPhone Pro from a regular iPhone from a Samsung Galaxy Whatever. To mix animal metaphors, they're all caught up in a kind of cat-and-mouse game of leapfrog.

"While apps undoubtedly influence smartphone purchases, consumer decisions also encompass design aesthetics, brand reputation, and perceived value for money. The uniformity in smartphone designs reflects a balance between technological capabilities, market competition, and user preferences for reliability and functionality," Michael Collins, managing director of IT consultancy SphereIT, told Lifewire via email.

And then there's the lock-in. If you own a Mac, then you might be more likely to choose an iPhone, which works well with it. But even more powerful is the lock-in that comes from apps and accessories: AirPods, Apple Music, etc.

"Many consumers value seamless integration with app ecosystems, services, and accessories. This drives them towards popular brands and standardized designs," says Collins.

Maybe the Phone 1 will come to nothing (pun definitely intended), but perhaps it will be the spark that brings fun back to phones. After all, if the only important part of a phone is its screen, then why not make the rest of it cool instead of just going minimal? Apple can keep its glass slabs and dull, xmas-dad-socks colors, and maybe some other makers can jazz things up a bit. But to be honest, I'd just settle for a modern-day Talby.