WhoBuilt

Key facts

Founded by
Launched
Capabilities
Ear (1) first-batch charging defect caused by a weak Pogo pin spring; production stopped and engineers oversaw factory processes to improve quality.
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From talks

Results and examples shared in single talks

Timeline 3

Dated events, newest first. Open the sources under any item.

How we verify
Launch1Founded1Capability1
20243 events
  1. reported 2024-08Capability
    Ear (1) first-batch charging defect caused by a weak Pogo pin spring; production stopped and engineers oversaw factory processes to improve quality.
    “the Pogo pin...didn't have a strong enough spring. For the first batch of Ear (1)s, 90% couldn't charge properly.” 10:58
    Unverified1 source· Talk
  2. reported 2024-08Launch
    Nothing launched Ear (1)
    “we decided to make earbuds first” 10:05
    Unverified1 source· Talk
  3. as of Aug 2024Founded
    Carl Pei founded Nothing
    “Carl Pei, the founder of Nothing” 0:01
    Unverified1 source· Talk

Talks by Nothing 1

21:11
How Nothing Founder Carl Pei Built A Multi-Million Dollar Smartphone Brand In Just 2 Years

Carl Pei describes how his interest in Apple products led him from building a Meizu fan community to working in China and helping start OnePlus. At Nothing, he applied lessons from OnePlus but faced factory skepticism, so the company began with earbuds; after quality problems left most of the first batch unable to charge, engineers worked alongside the factory to fix production. He emphasizes that hardware startups need to survive long enough to build volume, trusted manufacturing relationships, and stronger teams, and explains how Nothing’s design focus and Glyph Interface aim to make its products recognizable and encourage more mindful phone use. His advice is to sequence ambitious hardware plans by earning credibility with a smaller product before tackling a smartphone.

Aug 13, 2024· 21 min 0:01