Nothing, the technology brand founded by Carl Pei, has taken a bold step by announcing that it will not launch a new flagship smartphone in 2026. Instead, last year’s Phone (3) will continue as the company’s flagship device throughout the year.
“There’s no new flagship this year. Phone (3) is our flagship for 2026. We’re not just going to churn out a new flagship every year for the sake of it — we want every upgrade to feel significant. Just because the rest of the industry does things a certain way, it doesn’t mean we will do the same,” Pei said in a video posted on the brand’s official YouTube channel.
Flagship smartphones have become so powerful in recent years that users are upgrading less frequently. Devices such as the iPhone 15 or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra continue to perform well long after launch, reducing the urgency to switch to a newer model every year.
Instead, Pei said he is “excited” about the Essential App space. According to him, anyone with an idea would soon be able to tell the system what kind of apps they would like to see, and they simply appear. In this approach, anyone can become a “developer” and create apps or widgets without traditional barriers.
This does not mean Nothing will stop releasing phones altogether in 2026. The mid-range Phone (4a) is on the way and is expected to be a “complete evolution” over its predecessor. Pei said it would offer an experience closer to a flagship device than the earlier 3a series.
At the same time, Nothing is preparing to open its first physical store in India, with a flagship outlet set to launch in Bengaluru. The London-based company is also an associate sponsor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
If smartphone brands were to adopt longer upgrade cycles of two years or more, devices could feel more meaningful again while also reducing environmental impact. With proper care, a phone can reasonably be expected to last several years. Apple, Samsung and Google already offer long-term software support, making extended use increasingly practical.
On the flip side, memory prices continue to soar, pushing up smartphone prices. The memory chip shortage may last through 2027. The move may give Pei’s company time and an opportunity to adjust pricing when it next launches a flagship smartphone.
