Smartphone startup Nothing is facing criticism after it was revealed that sample photos showcased on Nothing Phone 3 demo units were not actually taken with the device. Instead, the images were confirmed to be licensed stock photos, originally captured with professional cameras, raising concerns about transparency in smartphone marketing.
Stock Photos Passed Off as Phone 3 Samples
According to The Verge, at least five photographs displayed on Nothing Phone 3 in-store demo units—including shots of a spiral staircase, a car headlight, a glass of water, a window, and a portrait of a woman—were sourced from the Stills stock photo marketplace. Metadata (EXIF files) revealed these images were taken in 2023, long before the Phone 3’s release.
One photographer, speaking anonymously, confirmed their image had been purchased by Nothing via licensing but was not captured on the Phone 3. Another photographer, Roman Fox, told Android Authority that his car headlight image used by Nothing was taken with a Fujifilm XH2s, not a smartphone.
Nothing’s Response to the Camera Sample Controversy
In response, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis acknowledged the issue on X (formerly Twitter), calling it an “unfortunate oversight.” He explained that demo units are initially loaded with placeholder images four months before launch, which are later replaced with real sample photos captured on the device. However, in this case, some demo units were never updated before being shipped to retail stores.
“There was no ill intent,” Evangelidis said. “We are actively rectifying the situation and ensuring real Phone 3 samples are displayed moving forward.”
The controversy highlights a broader issue in the smartphone industry, where brands have previously been caught using fake camera samples or DSLR-shot images to exaggerate smartphone photography capabilities. While Nothing has emphasized that this was an error rather than deliberate misrepresentation, the incident risks damaging consumer trust in its camera performance claims for the Nothing Phone 3.
With increasing competition in the smartphone market, camera quality has become one of the most important factors for consumers. Transparency in marketing will be critical for Nothing to rebuild confidence in the Phone 3’s AI-enhanced camera system. As the company updates demo units with genuine images, consumers will be able to judge the device’s real-world performance fairly—without misleading stock photos.
