I had an Essential Ph-1 as well, liked it, great for using as a desktop with excellent USB-C DisplayPort and KB/Mouse support, but it had many issues. We'll see what happens with the Nothing Phone.
I'm on a cheap ($399 list, I bought it for $270 US Retail in 2021 Spring) Moto One 5G Ace (SD 750G, 6GiB RAM, 128GB Storage + MicroSD, NFC and other features) right now ... which finally got Android 11 only 15 months too late (originally released 2021 January with old Android 10). Allegedly Android 12 is coming within 3 months, and Verizon's version already has it (I buy US Retail unlocked), but I'm not hopeful. But I didn't even pay $270 for it, unliked, US Retail.
I'm on a cheap ($399 list, I bought it for $270 US Retail in 2021 Spring) Moto One 5G Ace (SD 750G, 6GiB RAM, 128GB Storage + MicroSD, NFC and other features) right now ... which finally got Android 11 only 15 months too late (originally released 2021 January with old Android 10). Allegedly Android 12 is coming within 3 months, and Verizon's version already has it (I buy US Retail unlocked), but I'm not hopeful. But I didn't even pay $270 for it, unliked, US Retail.
Smartphone investors bet $200mn on making something out of Nothing
Newcomer led by Carl Pei enters a crowded market dominated by Apple and Samsung
www.ft.com
Nothing reveals Phone 1 design a month early
Showing off light strips and a transparent design.
www.theverge.com
This is what the Nothing Phone 1 will look like
The Nothing Phone 1's design borrows some elements from iPhone X and iPhone 12, topped off with a transparent back cover.
www.engadget.com
With Phone (1), Nothing hopes to succeed where Essential failed
Nothing is entering a crowded market dominated by Apple and Samsung.
arstechnica.com