Nothing Unveils Industry-First Co-Created Smartphone: Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition

Nothing has unveiled the Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition, a glow-in-the-dark smartphone developed through a unique co-creation project involving some of its most engaged followers.

Over six months, four winners collaborated directly with Nothing’s Design, Creative, Brand, and Marketing teams, resulting in a limited-edition device that blends the company’s innovative spirit with community creativity.

The Community Edition Project attracted over 900 entries from 47 countries. The project represents Nothing’s first large-scale initiative to integrate user input across hardware, software, and design, marking a pivotal step in the company’s mission to foster co-creation.

Key Design Stages and Collaborations

Hardware Design
Winners Astrid Vanhuyse & Kenta Akasaki, together with Design Director Adam Bates and CMF Designer Lucy Birley, crafted a phosphorescent design that glows without a power source. Utilizing green-tinted phosphorescent finishes, the device emits a gentle glow that recharges in daylight, offering a unique, energy-free feature.

Wallpaper Design
Designer Andrés Mateos, working alongside Nothing’s Software Design Director Mladen M Hoyss and Software Designer Ken Giang, created the “Connected Collection” wallpapers. Originally slated to develop four designs, Mateos and the team expanded this to six, enhancing the phone’s visual identity.

Packaging Design
Ian Henry Simmonds led the packaging redesign with his “Less is More” concept. Reflective elements were incorporated to echo the glow-in-the-dark theme, reinforcing the cohesive aesthetic across the product.

Marketing Campaign
Sonya Palma’s campaign concept, “Find your light. Capture your light,” unified the design elements with a message of inner power. She collaborated with Nothing’s Creative Team to produce a suite of digital assets and a film campaign.

Community-Centric Mission

The Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition is the latest example of Nothing’s commitment to community-driven innovation. The company continues to explore collaborative opportunities with its community, and in 2022, introduced the role of Community Board Observer, an elected member who represents community interests in board meetings.

Availability and Pricing

Only 1,000 units of the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition will be produced, with just 25 units available in Singapore for SGD 9 each. Sales begin on 16 November at Limited Etd’s official online store, available on a first-come, first-served basis.