Nothing Phone (1): 6 hidden features of the Glyph interface

A big selling point of Nothing Phone (1) is its Glyph interface. This microLED system used as a visual notification offers some more or less hidden functionality that I’ll show you here and in the video.

Of course, as you’ve read about it in countless tests and other videos about Nothing Phone (1), this year’s most (over?) hyped smartphone has glowing symbols that light up when you get a message. Kind of like a bunch of keys we’re waving in front of a baby’s eyes to distract him, Lupiot Jr. should lure an audience hungry for gimmicks and cool.

And I saw some furry people, not without bitterness, mocking this Glyph interface (sniffing) they or they thought was as useless as the then-dead Google Soli project. But we are not here to discuss this. The Glyph interface is nothing more than a blinking bell.

To summarize:

Sync glyphs with your music

You can sync glyphs so they light up to the rhythm of music coming from the Nothing Phone (1) speakers. For those in the know, it’s a bit like an old-school Windows Media Player visualization. This feature also works with music streaming via Spotify or other apps, as well as songs uploaded locally to your smartphone.

1. Create touch called “Abra“
2. go to settingsGlyph interface then in ring
3. add contacts”Abra“
4. back Glyph settings
5. Options music visualization should be visible
6. click it and activate it

Glyphs light up to the beat of the music you’re listening to, this also works for ringtones / © kwgeek

You can delete Abra contacts, after which this option will remain active. No need to explain to your spouse or spouse (I’m not judging anyone) who this famous Abra is.

Use Glyph as a flash for photos and videos

Nothing Phone (1) apparently has a classic LED flash for those who would rather spoil low-light shots than use a dedicated night mode. But you can also use Glyphs to light up the scene. The LEDs then light up like those ring selfies, the glowing rings that influencers use to light up their exciting vlogs.

1. in L’photo appPressflash icon in the upper left corner of the screen
2. Press 3 times until you seeIcon with letter C representative glyph

You can quickly switch between normal and glyph flash / © kwgeek

Turn on the red light when shooting video

Like the classic camera, the Nothing Phone (1) has a small red light on the back to show that the smartphone is actually shooting. This diode can be very useful if you are shooting yourself with the rear photo module and can’t check that your smartphone is recording correctly because you can’t see the screen.

1. Enterphoto app
2. Press down arrow at the top of the screen
3. Press2 concentric circle icons between

Here’s how to activate the red light to make sure your Nothing Phone (1) is recording / © kwgeek

Activate progress bar when charging Nothing phone (1)

When you plug the Nothing Phone (1) into a power source, the Glyph interface may display a progress bar to show the smartphone’s charge level. As the Nothing Phone (1) battery charges, it will gradually fill up.

1. go to Glyph interface settings
2. activation option charge counter

Here’s how to activate a progress bar to indicate your smartphone’s charge level / © kwgeek

Change the Glyph interface to always-on display

Nothing Phone (1) offers a feature called Flip to Glyph or Retourner au Glyph, as this wonderful French translation requires it. It allows you to turn your smartphone face down and broadcast a light signal when you receive a notification. Kind of like always show, but only with glyphs.

1. go to Glyph interface settings
2. activation option return glyph

Use the Flip to Glyph feature without checking the screen / © kwgeek

Create your own ringtones and notifications

By default, several different ringtones and notifications are not provided. But you can also create your own from the audio file you just uploaded. The glyphs will then automatically sync with the rhythm of the ringtone. You can also associate specific glyphs with contacts of your choice.

1. go to Glyph interface settings
2. Enter ring
3. Create your ringtone by selecting an audio file of your choice

You can create custom ringtones with your own songs / © kwgeek

If you just want the ringtone, you can choose to turn off the signal light.

This concludes the overview of the Glyph interface functionality on Nothing Phone (1). I’m not brainwashing you into believing that this feature is absolutely necessary.

But I find it brings a certain gamification to the user experience, like an Easter egg that should be unlocked. It’s never disturbing anyway, it’s just a reward we can decide to use or not.

And you, what do you think of this Glyph interface?