From Windows Phone to Nothing — A Sequel I Never Expected

DimasAnjasmara

I never thought I’d be emotionally attached to a smartphone brand…
until I realized my tech journey unintentionally turned into a trilogy. 😅

My story started back in 2015, with Windows Phone on the Lumia 535.
I fell in love with the concept of Live Tiles, the personality, the identity — something different in a world full of Android clones.

Then life brought me to Essential Phone (PH-1).
Clean software, stunning hardware, and the bold spirit of trying something new.
It truly felt like a hidden gem — even maybe when half the world didn’t care.
And yes, I once sent a DM to Essential Teams on Twitter (back then) because I broke my 360 Camera after installing Android Q Beta 😆 (and they actually replied!).

Fast forward to today:
I’m using the Nothing Phone 3A Pro, and I genuinely feel that same spark again —
the feeling of bold simplicity, of identity, of a brand that dares to be different.

There’s a familiar vibe in Nothing OS that reminds me of Live Tiles in spirit —
the dynamic look, the clean aesthetic, the feeling that your phone has character.
Maybe that’s why it feels like coming home.

No, Nothing isn’t the most “spec monster” device in the world.
But honestly? I don’t care.
It makes me feel something, and that’s rare in tech today.

So here’s to the strange little path:

Windows Phone → Essential → Nothing
A sequel I never asked for, but really needed.

Anyone else here feel emotionally connected to a brand —
even when the world tells you it’s not the “top-spec” choice?

Would love to hear your stories too ⚪✨

Automata

DimasAnjasmara

DimasAnjasmara I was in love with Windows phones back in the day, it was a shame to see the company discontinue them, I agree with you! NOTHING phones definitely have something very special that sets them apart from the rest. I’ve had my Nothing Phone 2a since it came out and I’m extremely happy with it 🙏🏻

NareshKumar_C7IhbIRmYI

DimasAnjasmara same here window phone lumia 520 lumia 650 to nothing I am feeling same feelings of windows phones

DimasAnjasmara

Automata seems like we are getting mature and not being “specs hunter” anymore haha

UpawNothing wow, what a collections ! I used to have BB Priv too and the typing experience was amazing back then. The keyboard can be a trackpad as well, what a unique function. And you are right, i feel like Nothing has the “soul” because of its unique design and experience

TaviC_ i think they don’t push much for developer to make may apps compatible with this OS. Lack of compatibility is one of the biggest reason why Windows 10 Mobile OS not survived.

UpawNothing

I had multiple Windows Phones finishing with the Lumia 950XL. Before that I used Windows Mobile phones. Following the demise of Windows Phone I went to Blackberry Androids and loved them. Had a Priv, KeyOne and Key2. After the demise of Blackberry Androids I then went to Samsung and then Pixel phones but found them boring. The Nothing Phone 3 is my first Nothing phone and is the first phone I have enjoyed since the demise of Windows Phone and the Blackberry Androids.

TaviC_

Also came from Lumia 650 to Nothing. Still, nothing can’t compare with Windows 10 mobile. That OS was running perfectly with 1Gb of RAM. Bad management destroyed the best and most beautiful mobile OS. First always on display, customisable tiles, first double tap I think, and much more. Now they are pushing Win 11, so stupid…

UpawNothing

Agreed, Lumia 950XL was also the first phone with face unlock I believe, two years before the iPhone got it. Had one of the best cameras too.

themountofmint

I’d agree! You kinda feeling attached so your phone isn’t just a phone or Nothing, but, as for me, Nothingie that even has a little soul. I don’t care that much about it’s specs (as I’m not using a flagship but I still didn’t care), but I’m impressed by overall feeling I’m getting. Like a tech that has a soul for real. I remember this feeling when I first got my Samsung featuring One UI2 and I felt like it has an AI or smth that understood me and disabled stuff I don’t need, did things I was needed… I thought this phone has like a character a bit. That was Galaxy A71.

So now I also feel something sams with Nothingie I didn’t feel with any other device I used before. Let’s say I even wanna show to everyone like “hey, look at my phone, that’s Nothing, it has Glyph Interface!!!”, even now when the temperature in our city isn’t that warm for holding it in cold hands.

Idk how long will that feeling stay, but now it still follows me since the beginning of July.

DimasAnjasmara

themountofmint Yeah, I get that. Nothing has this weird way of feeling… alive? Let’s see if this vibe sticks around and not just the classic honeymoon phase.

themountofmint

DimasAnjasmara exactly! I also feel, for example, Phone (2) and Phone (3) a bit different. Like (2) is bold, creative, serious a bit, similar as maybe millennial. While (3) is a bit more playful and “infantile” in some ways, like a teenager. That’s my thoughts! They’re too look like and feel like the same, but still different and that’s cool for real. I don’t know, do you maybe also feel the same?

DimasAnjasmara

themountofmint wow you have used both Phone 2 and 3 ? Im kinda envy you know haha. But anyway, i only use Phone 3a Pro so i dont have any experience about Phone 3. Do you feel any significant difference between Phone 2 and 3 in terms of daily use ?

themountofmint

DimasAnjasmara oh no, no one from these sadly! Just my feelings while watching them, its advertising in socials…

I personally own Phone (3a), so it gives me a bit light experience of Phone (2) and (2a). Another playful side.

I guess if I used both of them I could have another mixed feelings

huttonstephen5

Interesting I personally started with Nokia, although life in the mobile world for me began with a Cellnet car phone, illuminated rubber buttons. Owned many Nokia’s BB’ s Ericsson’s Windows Nokia Lumia phones were indeed refreshing as you guys mentioned the live tiles and those cameras real quality handsets they felt solid and well designed. Moved onto Pixel 2xl, then 4xl still have 2xl today and apart from screen burn and poor battery, the camera performs and produces quality photos reliably. Moved onto 2a loved the experience and individualism that I bought my wife a 2a. Today due to the love of photography I upgraded to the 3a pro and still feel it’s uniqueness and feeling it gives me each time I pick it up. You’re right, it’s not flagship, I don’t care, it makes me feel I made the right choice.

DimasAnjasmara

huttonstephen5 that’s an amazing timeline of devices. And it’s cool how Nothing still brings that sense of uniqueness even after all those phones. Makes me more confident it’s not just a honeymoon phase. How’s your overall experience during using Phone 3A Pro ? I feel this phone is only lack of output camera consistency.

Bandano

Hah, my first smartphone was also a Lumia (a cyan 720), probably my favorite phone after my Phone 3, just gorgeous!

DimasAnjasmara

Bandano how’s your experience after using Phone 3 ?

Bandano

DimasAnjasmara pretty good! I love it, only wish the battery life was a bit better and the telephoto camera gets a bit weird with the processing sometimes but overall it’s a good phone

Plus, it gets a TON of attention

Shubh

I had 1020 and 950xl. My first one was 900 and I still have it in working condition.

I think no OS can match the smoothness and feel of windows Phone. I wish they could continue making it.

The only way I can feel is to use a launche

themountofmint

Shubh which launder is that? I remember using one in 2021 with my Galaxy back then.

Shubh

themountofmint there is a launcher which has most accurately mimicked windows Phone. It is in play store named metro v launcher

DimasAnjasmara

Bandano is there any delayed shutter speed ? or maybe this phone can shoot moving object and froze it instantly ?