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Smartphone manufacturers often tout their products’ photographic capabilities by sharing images allegedly taken with their flagship devices. However, when such claims are found to be false, it can lead to significant backlash. This is exactly what happened with Nothing, which claimed that certain shared camera samples were captured by the Phone 3. In reality, these images were taken by professional photographers, and two of them were even shot before the Phone 3’s official launch.
In detail:
– A photographer who took one of the images anonymously contacted The Verge, confirming that the photograph was not taken with the Phone 3. Instead, Nothing purchased the image license from Stills stock photo marketplace.
– EXIF data analysis revealed that two of the images were captured in 2023, before Nothing launched its flagship device.
Following this discovery:
– Roman Fox, another photographer whose car headlight photo was used, confirmed to Android Authority that Nothing paid for his image and it was taken with a Fujifilm XH2s camera in 2023.
– In response, Nothing’s spokesperson stated, “Accuracy in how we represent our product capabilities is important to us. Phone (3) demo units are being updated to feature only images captured with Phone (3).” However, this statement does not reflect the company’s guilt.
Nothing’s co-founder, Akis Evangelidis, acknowledged that stock images on live demo units were placeholders and that the company was actively rectifying the situation. He also attributed the mistake to an “unfortunate oversight,” stating that Nothing had no ill intent.
Despite the superior imaging capabilities of the Phone 3, it is disappointing to see such tactics used by a company in an attempt to gain a competitive edge. Given past instances where companies have been caught and embarrassed publicly, one would hope that a seasoned player like Nothing would learn not to resort to these shortcuts.
