Hello All,

I’m writing this post today as I would like to ask the communities opinion on purchasing a Nothing Phone as I’ve been using iPhone from 2013 with the iPhone 5c all the way up until today with my new iPhone 15 Pro. But I’m thinking I’m wanting to change to an “Android” feel but still have the IOS features like iMessage and so forth.

I’m wanting to ask as I’ve seen rumours about Nothing Phone 2 acting like an iPhone but in android form and I like the idea of it. I’m not liking the fact Android is so “Open” if that makes sense due to its vulnerabilities of being hacked and stuff Where as iPhone are good devices and they’ve not done me wrong thus far. But I just don’t see the point in forking out £55 a month for the basic iPhone 15 Pro + £85.00 Upfront for the device with my carrier.

If you could help me with this I would really appreciate your help as I’ve not used an iPhone since the Samsung Galaxy Siii Mini (S3 Mini) and Its been a while since then so I don’t know what the Android OS Is like nowadays. If any of you could advise me on this I would appreciate the help.

Yours Faithfully,

Connor Willoughby

    Related discussions

    No. Just buy an iPhone and be happy. Also, you could still watch Carl Pei’s reviews on Apple products anyway. He loves them

      Hi Connor,

      Nice to have you in the community and thank you for your questions!
      With regards to Android in general, yes it is a more open ecosystem, but still a secure one. The only chances of getting “hacked” or anything is if you download App files or other files from nefarious sites. However, everything that you get from the Google Play Store is scanned and verified to be safe, so no need to worry there.

      If you are running the iPhone 15 Pro at the moment, jumping over to a Nothing Phone, you will see some differences. The Camera hardware is great and the software for it is doing a great job. But the team are still finding their feet and do not have the dominance Apple does in terms of the software touches for Photos or Video, so you may find this lacking in comparison.

      The Nothing OS that is on Nothing Phones is excellent! The customisation that is allowed via Android is my main reason for leaving iOS behind, and I haven’t looked back since. I was running an iPhone from the 3GS up until 2018 when I jumped to Samsung Galaxy S8+.

      No Android device has iMessage, unfortunately. So this is a feature you would have to leave behind. Apps such as SunBird etc have tried to bring iMessage to the Android world, but unfortunately they have to utilise some back-door methods that Apple either shuts down, or it isn’t entirely safe.

      If you have any further questions, please do ask away and I (and others of this great community) shall be happy to answer.

      All the best,

      Ryan.

        Hi, I think Ryan’s reply essentially said everything you need to know.

        Even though it is called Nothing OS, it is still fully based on Android, which itself is rather secure as long as you, as the user, act with common sense. Don’t sideload apps from sources which aren’t trustworthy, stay away from shady apps and websites and so on.

        Nothing provides roughly bi-monthly security updates and for Phone (2a) I think they state it’ll get three major updates, so Android 17 would be the last major version for that phone. Security updates are stated for four years.

        While I’ve never owned an iPhone, I know they are well known for their great camera performance. While the Nothing Phone (2) offers solid cameras, I think they won’t be able to compete with an iPhone (or more expensive Android phones). For instance I am using a Galaxy Fold 4 as my secondary device, which for Samsung terms comes with a decent, but certainly not Ultra flagship level cameras and overall it performs better in pretty much all camera-related aspects compared to my Bothing Phone (2).

        If you like to just dip your toes into the Android world with Nothing, I suggest looking for a Phone (2a): It offers a great overall package at an affordable price, you get that signature Nothing design, the Glyph interface (although more basic in terms of looks), good battery life, performance and display. From what I’ve seen, even the cameras seem to be almost as good as those you’d find on the more expensive Phone (2).

        Hope that helps!

          Ealesy101

          Hello Ryan!,

          Thank you for your message. What I might do is purchase the cheaper CMF Phone (1) and test the Nothing Operating System (OS) first before getting a feel for the phone. I would also like to say that when it comes to getting the Nothing Phone, I will be waiting for the Nothing Phone (3). This is a phone that I’ve been looking into and studying. This is something I’m liking the look of and I’m proud of the CEO of Nothing as I watched a video on YouTube from “ColdFusion” where he told us (the viewers) that he (the ceo) asks the community what features they’re wanting and this is something that I love.

          I love the look of the CMF Phone (1) but I wish it had the Nothing Phone (2) look. I know to make a cheaper phone they had to cut down on lights and such but It would’ve been a more appealing feature. Secondly, If I do get the device CMF Phone (1) I’ll be looking into doing an un boxing video where I’m going to be looking into unboxing the phone and uploading the video to YouTube giving my honest review, break-down what I love, dislike and need improvements on and then I’ll test it as my daily driver for a week and see if I adapt to it.

          As mentioned prior, I’ve not used Android devices since Samsung Galaxy SIII mini (S3 Mini) so I’ve got a lot to learn from and there will be major changes as I’ve been watching Google I/O, WWDC and so forth. So I’m keeping within the loops within that respect but I’ve not used an android phone so I’m just going based off reviews and such. But thank you again Ryan for your amazing feedback and I’ll take this into consideration.

          Yours

          Connor

              SomethingtoNothing

              Hey There,

              Thank you for your comment, I might look into getting CMF Phone (1) first before the launch of Nothing Phone (3) as this will give me time to test the OS, see if I get a feel for the device and what not. I like the cheap-pricing and I think that the watch being $69.00 is amazing. I doubt you’d be able to get a great affordable smart-watch for that low. So this CMF brand is surely something I’ve been looking into.

              But again, Thank you for your comment and have a fantastic day.

              Yours,

              Connor.

                iiust

                Hello There,

                Well, I thought about it but then again, I’m getting bored of the Apple Ecosystem and I’m ready for a change, I thought about Google Pixel 8a or Samsung Galaxy Fold etc. But I’m going to be looking into getting the CMF Phone (1) and giving this a test and using this phone as my daily driver. This would be something awesome to try.

                Thank you again for commenting and have a great day,

                Yours,

                Connor

                  Coldpaw

                  Hello There,

                  Thank you for your comment, I thought about getting the “Nothing Phone (2a)” but then again, I’m thinking do I spend a little less at buying the CMF Phone (1) and then when the Nothing Phone (3) comes out, I’ll have more of a experience with the phone per say. Because I don’t want to spend a lot of money (£200ish) may not seem a lot to you but I like to make long-term commitments to devices. So I thought about spending £180ish on a device and be happy with it. If It doesn’t work out give it to my younger brother. I might be out of nearly £200 but at least I won’t be out £250-300 for the device.

                  Again, thank you for your comment and have a wonderful day.

                  Yours,

                  Connor

                      Connor

                      well, don’t buy nothing phone 1. i like to try new products and that’s the reason i purchased NP 1 and cmf watch pro. actually NP 1 is a great device. but it has a crash dump reboot issue. I’m on a dead end since i buy this device from Sri Lanka. no any official partners or resellers here.

                      I recommend you should buy NP 2 or should wait for NP 3. the funny thing is i saw lot of users say that the company forgot about the NP 1 users 😃 .

                        Well, i was like you and was really a Apple fan boy and always had an iPhone. But after last month i bought an Nothing Phone One and im really happy. Because when you buy an new iphone you login with your icloud in your new Phone and everything will be the same as your old iPhone. Nothing to discover only beter specs and beter camera but same apps and same ui.

                        So when i bought my new NP1 there were so many things i was so happy about! Like small things like waking up with my favorite Spotify song. This isnt possible in iOS.. Discovering Android again was really great and believe me i hated Android. But with al those stupid updates in IOS like those ugly icon colors in iOS 18 i think Android with nothing flavor is great and i still dont want to go back to iphone . I even bought the smart watch and nothing ear. It works like a charm and look at the prices im a happy man.

                        So yea i think you should go for it 💪

                          Connor Hi Connor, I have the NP1 which is great and have just ordered the new CMS watch , I too use Apple products and using nothing os (Android) is very similar in navigating around the OS to iOS. With regards to the Nothing phone 1 I have had zero issues. The phone is well built for a first gen model and yes the camera is a little behind iPhone but for every day use it’s perfect.

                            Connor Just be aware that that the CMF Phone (1) does not support NFC payments (for Google Pay or banking apps) if that is something you do today on your iPhone via Apple Pay. It also does not have wireless charging.

                                You can’t go wrong with the Nothing. I also come from the Apple system and am totally happy with how Nothing sets everything up. I have the NP2a. Apart from the camera, I’m super happy. The price/performance ratio is 100% right. I just wish that the NP3 would be used to tweak the camera.

                                  Connor

                                  Hi, I’m a Apple Fanboy since first iPhone came out and I always use an iPhone along with other Apple ecosystem devices for long time. Last week, I just bought Nothing Phone 2a and the same reason that I bored an iOS and want to try new Nothing OS.

                                  In my opinion, I think you may use my opinion for your decision.

                                  Pro : Nothing OS is great UI dark or white theme but you can change it back to normal app icon as same as with Pixel.

                                  1. Animation while open, close, switch application are smooth. (But not like an iOS)
                                  2. Weight is lighter than iPhone 15 Pro even the screen is bigger than my iPhone 15 Pro.
                                  3. Notifications are fast as same as with iOS.
                                  4. Animation look more flashy and faster than iOS (where iOS appear slower but smoother).
                                  5. Transparent back of the phone which people may ask you what is your phone band? 😁
                                  6. Battery life is longer than iPhone 15 pro.
                                  7. Large Vapor Chamber cooling system no random heat up like iPhone.

                                  Con : some applications do not smooth as iOS such as Instagram, (when open camera or browse photos from gallery)

                                  1. Some third party apps may not running smooth as iOS. (Where iOS almost smooth every apps include open , close , switch between apps)
                                  2. Major Android update only for 3 years and security patch update for 4 years.
                                  3. Keyboard is difficult to type sometime, but if you used to it. you will type fast as fast with iOS.
                                  4. Overall of animation, I think iOS is greater and smoother than Nothing OS. (Nothing 9/10 , iOS 10/10)
                                  5. No transparent screen while pull down the notification center or lock screen (I like the notification of iOS and I think iOS is more beautiful. Android is solid colour.
                                  6. No stock gallery app on Nothing OS. But you willve able to use Google gallery instead. Not smooth sometime 😅.

                                      I would say get the cmf phone 1 trial that out see if you like the feel while still keeping your iPhone. I have iPhone 15 and android my cmf phone is coming today I like to change and use both etc. I do like the nothing brand tho I like where they are heading ☺️

                                        Anonymous192

                                        Good Morning,

                                        Thank you for your response, I will be looking into trying the Nothing Phone (2a) then if that’s the case. Its a shame that the cheaper models don’t have NFC tags in them but I guess with cheaper phones they have to take them out to bring the cost down which is understandable.

                                        I’m thinking do I wait for NP (2a) or go with NP 3?. I mean I could always upgrade later but then I’m also not wanting to break the bank either. So this is something I’m having to consider. I’m liking the Black Nothing Phone 2a but I’m not a fan of the looks of Nothing Phone 2a Limited Edition model with the red, blue and yellow. I get that could be a qwerky look? I guess but I’m more of simplistic type of guy and I tend to stay to what I know.

                                        I hope you’re well,

                                        Connor.

                                          Charl_e_alex

                                          Good Morning Charlie,

                                          I have checked some of the comments for CMF Phone and I’ve heard through the grape vine that they’re not accepting NFC Tags on it. On my iPhone 15 Pro I’ve got my bank cards all locked on there due to my short-term memory loss so I’ve got a special case with a hand holder like you do for camera due to always putting something down or putting it away I’ll forget where I put it so. that’s why I don’t carry my card unless I need to after a while.

                                          I might look into getting it, as you suggested whilst I got my iPhone 15 Pro to test out the OS per say. But again, I’m on a tight budget and I don’t want to have multiple phones and not use them due to wasting more money that I could save to pay for trips away or something so this is something I’m needing to think apon.

                                          Thank you for the comment,

                                          Connor.

                                            mnatthaphon

                                            Good Morning There,

                                            Thank you for the break down of the Pros and Cons of the device. I might look into getting the Nothing Phone 2a instead of the CMF Phone (1) due to wanting to use the NFC Tag for my bank-cards due to my short-term memory loss. This is something I’m hoping to sort out soon. But It would be awesome to have a phone that’s lighter, more stylish and qwerky.

                                            Have a great day buddy!

                                            Connor.

                                              ManuelSchreuder

                                              Good Morning,

                                              Thank you for the shout, I am worried I might loose all the photo’s and stuff. But I guess I could download Google Photos and back them up that way. But then It could be a hassle. Does Nothing Phone have its own eco-system like Apple, Google etc. or is it a third-party type application where its all backed up by a third party like Drop Box etc. It would be cool if they had their own eco-system or something to work towards within the future.

                                              Regarding music, I’m more of a YouTube Music person. sorry to be the bear of bad news but I’m addicted to YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium. But again, I think this could be something to look into.

                                              Have a great day,

                                              Connor.