Stock photos mistaken as Phone (3) camera samples sparked controversy.
Nothing clarified they were placeholder images on demo units.
Company urged buyers to test cameras in-store and share real shots.
Nothing has landed into controversy this week after the company has been accused of using stock images as photo samples, shown on its Nothing Phone (3) in-store demo units. The incident got traction when a screen recording was shared online, showcasing the five photos displayed on a retail demo unit in New Zealand. The images were labelled with the hashtag #WithNothing and “Here’s what our community has captured with the Phone (3).” This made people assume that the photos were taken using the phone’s camera.
SurveyHowever, Android Authority reported that all five images are actually available for licensing on the stock photo site – Stills. The images include shots of a window, a staircase, a woman, and a striking car headlight. One of the photographers, Roman Fox, confirmed that the close-up shot of a car headlight was taken with a Fujifilm XH2s in Paris back in 2023, long before the Nothing Phone (3) was introduced. The said picture can also be seen on Roman’s Instagram account, which was shared last year in the summer.
As the fiasco started grabbing eyeballs, Nothing’s Akis Evangelidis took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that the images were not meant to mislead. He shared that the alleged photos are LDUs (Live Demo Units), created months ahead of launch using placeholder images while the final version was still under development. These were meant to be updated later with real samples, but some stores apparently didn’t receive the updated version.
“We are actively rectifying this and working with our promoters to ensure all LDUs reflect the latest version,” the company added. He further emphasised that this was not an intentional act and they’re investigating how it happened to prevent it in the future.
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He further urged the Phone (3) customers to share photo samples, shot by them in real settings and are featured across their website and partner platforms. And for those visiting in-store, the company encourages buyers to test the camera firsthand.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
