Carl Pei Thinks Nothing Lost Its Way as Phone (2) Ends at Android 16

Nearly four years after launching one of the most distinctive Android phones on the market, Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing, thinks they may have become a little too... ordinary.

During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, users asked Pei uncomfortable questions about everything the company has done recently, from software support and AI to whether Nothing has become the very company it promised not to be.

The answers were surprisingly candid.

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Nothing's biggest problem? Its identity

The AMA started with a question many longtime fans have been asking.

A Phone (1) owner who switched to Samsung after buying the Phone (3) told Pei the original Nothing phone had "personality" in a way newer devices didn't. The Glyph interface felt unique, the sounds felt intentional, and Nothing seemed genuinely different from every other Android brand.

Pei didn't argue.

"I recently told the team that we need to get back to the spirit that defined us in the Phone (1) era. I think we can."

And honestly, that's a huge thing for any CEO to concede.

It also reflects a criticism Nothing has been hearing for months. As the company expanded its lineup, its hardware became a little safer and a little more conventional. The transparent design evolved, the Glyph became less central, and some fans felt Nothing was slowly becoming the kind of smartphone company it originally positioned itself against.

"Strategically lazy" might be the most revealing thing Pei said

Many CEOs defend every product decision, especially when their backs are against the wall. Pei did the opposite.

Asked whether Nothing had spread itself too thin by launching phones, earbuds, CMF devices, and AI features all at once, he replied:

"At times, we've been strategically lazy, while working hard on tactical matters."

He followed that with another line that feels like a reset for the company.

"Less but better is certainly desired, but only works if you hit the bullseye with higher certainty."

It's an interesting contrast. Over the past few years, Nothing has shipped features and products quickly, but Pei is now suggesting the company lost focus on more important questions: Who is this product actually for? And why should it exist?

Phone (2) owners got bad news — and a reality check

If you're still using a Nothing Phone (2), there's one answer from the AMA that will disappoint you. Android 16 will be the phone's final major Android update.

Pei explained that the decision comes down to chipset support rather than Nothing changing its mind.

"The kernel is unfortunately too old."

He added that Android 17 isn't supported by the chipset vendor and reminded users that Nothing originally promised three major Android updates and security patches through 2027.

Technically, the company is keeping its promise. But expectations have changed. Samsung and Google now promise up to seven years of Android updates on many devices, making three years suddenly feel much shorter than it did when the Phone (2) launched.

Even Pei agrees the bloatware complaints have gone too far.

Another uncomfortable question focused on pre-installed apps and games appearing on Nothing phones.

Instead of defending the practice, Pei admitted users had a point.

"We should dial this back."