Nothing CEO says smartphone apps may fade as AI tools take over
Synopsis
Nothing CEO Carl Pei said the current app-based smartphone model may gradually change as software becomes more automated. The company is working on tools that can perform tasks without opening multiple apps, while expanding globally after raising more than $450 million in funding.
Nothing CEO Carl Pei said traditional smartphone apps may gradually disappear as software becomes more automated. The company has raised over $450 million and is focusing on software-driven features for future devices.
Key highlights
- Nothing CEO Carl Pei says the traditional app-based smartphone model may not last long.
- The company is developing software that can perform tasks without opening separate apps.
- Nothing has raised more than $450 million and is valued at about $1.3 billion.
- India is now the company’s largest market and a major focus for expansion.
Carl Pei, chief executive of smartphone company Nothing, has said the current app-based smartphone model may not last much longer. He believes artificial-intelligence tools could gradually replace traditional mobile apps as phones become more automated.
Speaking about the company’s future software plans, Pei said smartphones still rely on the same system of separate apps for messages, travel, shopping and payments. He suggested future devices may work differently, with software that completes tasks directly instead of requiring users to open multiple apps.
A shift away from the app-based model
Pei said the app-driven design of smartphones has remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. He believes the next phase will focus on software that understands user behaviour and performs actions automatically.
Nothing is already testing features that allow users to create simple tools using natural-language instructions. Instead of downloading apps from a store, users may eventually be able to describe what they need and let the phone handle the task.
Funding and business position
The company has raised more than $450 million since it was founded and secured a $200 million funding round in 2025. The investment valued Nothing at about $1.3 billion and is being used to support software development and new product plans.
Nothing has been said that it crossed $1 billion in cumulative revenue. India has become its largest market, and the company continues to expand production and sales in the country.
FAQs
Q1. Will AI agents replace smartphone apps?
Yes. Nothing CEO Carl Pei said AI agents could gradually replace traditional smartphone apps in the future.
Q2. What did Nothing CEO Carl Pei say about mobile apps?
He said the current app-based smartphone model may change as AI tools begin handling tasks automatically.
Q3. What is Nothing’s plan for AI in smartphones?
The company is developing software that allows users to create tools using simple natural-language instructions.
Q4. Has Nothing raised funding recently?
Yes. The company raised $200 million in 2025 and has raised more than $450 million in total.
Q5. Why are smartphone companies focusing more on AI?
Because the smartphone market is growing more slowly, companies are focusing on software and AI features instead of hardware upgrades.
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Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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