Nothing Fakes Flagship Photos: Stock Images Used in Latest Device Launch

In the realm of technology, honesty and transparency are paramount. Regrettably, Nothing, a well-known brand, found itself embroiled in controversy recently concerning its latest flagship device, the Phone (3). Reports from Android Authority have surfaced, alleging that the company presented stock images as photographs taken by the Phone (3), following anonymous tips from photographers to various media outlets.

On display units, a special tab labeled “Here’s what our community has captured with Phone (3)” was created, showcasing five images: a window, a glass, a car’s headlight, a staircase, and a woman. However, an investigation by Android Authority revealed that the photograph of the car’s headlight, taken more than a year ago in Paris, was not captured using the Phone (3). Roman Fox, the photographer, confirmed this to Android Authority and also shared the picture on his Instagram account.

Another photographer reached out to The Verge, claiming that none of the five images were actually shot with the Phone (3); they had all been licensed by Nothing via the stock photo platform Stills. One of the five images was even captured by the photographer themselves, and The Verge verified this by examining the image’s EXIF data.

After the issue came to light, co-founder of Nothing, Akis Evangelidis, issued a statement admitting that the images in question were indeed stock photos. Evangelidis explained that live demo units were released with placeholder images four months before launch. The intention was to replace these images with real photo samples once mass production began. However, he acknowledged that “it was brought to our attention that some live demo units’ stock imagery were not updated.”

In an effort to clear up any confusion and demonstrate the Phone (3)’s camera capabilities, Evangelidis invited customers to share their own photos taken with the device. In our review, we found that the $799 Phone (3) consistently delivers excellent, accurate color and well-preserved detail from every camera. Yet, it still lags behind the performance of the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 in certain aspects.

It’s not the first time a popular brand has been caught manipulating images. In 2023, Samsung faced similar allegations regarding its “Super Zoom” pictures of the moon.

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