Nothing to sneeze at
Nothing bringing something different to the smartphone scene
Smartphone innovation has gone somewhat stale in recent years. Sure, they get faster, with better cameras, and brighter screens. But newer phones haven’t exactly pushed the envelope, which leads to consumers holding onto their phones longer. Smartphone sales have plateaued, and even dipped.
The solution, according to big brands, is AI. Samsung’s push to put its Galaxy AI tools in its flagship phones is bearing fruit, according to market research firm IDC. Apple is also expected to follow suit with its upcoming iPhones, which will have similar AI-powered features. But these AI features are reserved for the top, most expensive models. What about the cheaper phones?
Well, the answer could be Nothing. Arguably the most interesting smartphone maker now, Nothing has made its mark by focusing on design. Its products have caught the eye, while still offering good value. And its latest effort — a range of affordable products from its sub-brand CMF — is off to a great start.
While your usual Chinese smartphone brands have churned out wave after wave of mostly forgettable phones for the mid-range and entry level segments, Nothing has stood out with interesting designs and a bloat-free user interface. No ads, no bloatware, just Android but in its own style.
While I found the Glyph LED system on Nothing phones to be gimmicky and not that useful, I was impressed by the new CMF Phone 1. Being able to change the back cover is a cool idea, but Nothing took it to the next level with optional accessories that can be added to the phone. And that’s before you consider that its S$369 price tag buys you plenty, including a 120Hz AMOLED screen, a 50MP camera, and good battery life from its mid-range chipset. In short, the CMF Phone 1 looks different, and punches above its weight. So what if it doesn’t have any AI features?
This week, we gave our homes a thorough cleaning using a Shark floor cleaner, tested a promising Mini-LED TV from Hisense, and considered a 16-inch Asus laptop as our next laptop for work and play.
The Shark HydroVac 3-In-1 Cordless Wet & Dry Hard Floor Cleaner is great at cleaning messes and spills, with a separate container for the solid mess it picks up. You can even use a concentrate with it, which gives your floors a nice smell after mopping. Do note that hair does get stuck in the rollers, though it’s not that to remove. Overall, it’s a good deal at S$549 (discounted) for the performance and features.
Hisense’s latest U7N Mini-LED TV is impressive for its bright visuals and deep blacks that can almost fool you into thinking it’s an OLED. The giveaway, though, is the viewing angle, which is far inferior than an OLED. But you do get modern features like HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ as well as two HDMI 2.1 ports.
Shopping for a laptop, and willing to pay a bit more for premium features, put the Asus Vivobook S 16 OLED on your shortlist. This 16-inch notebook offers a lovely OLED screen in a fairly portable and lightweight design. Battery life is good, while it performs well for everyday computing tasks. Oh, and it has a colourful keyboard backlight that’s unusual for a non-gaming laptop.