Nothing Phone (1): Audio analysis shows deficiencies in company's first smartphone

The Nothing Phone (1) has been around for a few months now, with the smartphone now regularly receiving software updates adding new features. Recently, the company enabled LHDC Bluetooth codec support within NothingOS as part of its v1.1.4 update, as we discussed late last month. Incidentally, the update allowed people to customise Ear (1) settings without using a dedicated app, among other changes.

Subsequently, DxOMark has shared the findings of the device's audio capabilities. Unfortunately for Nothing, the Phone (1) ranks poorly and sits 103rd from 128 devices tested. Scoring 106 points overall, DxOMark describes the speakers that Nothing has included as 'generally weak', in part because of the lacklustre earpiece that doubles as a secondary speaker.

With this decision in mind, Nothing claims that the Nothing Phone (1) delivers a comparatively weak soundstage with audio shifted to its dominant speaker. Conversely, the speakers within the Nothing Phone (1) reach 74 dB(A) without distortion, matching the Pixel 6. Additionally, DxOMark remarks that the smartphone provides decent audio zoom performance and reduces wind noise well. Unfortunately, Nothing's noise cancellation algorithm is a touch heavy-handed, which can lead to problems when recording videos or making calls. Overall, audio quality is one of the areas in which the Nothing Phone (1) struggles. Please see our full review for an in-depth look at the other strengths and weaknesses of the Nothing Phone (1).

Purchase the Nothing Ear (1) on Amazon