Nothing busted using professional photos as Phone 3 samples

"The photographer behind one of the images has anonymously confirmed to The Verge that it wasn't taken using the Phone 3, and that Nothing had purchased the image license via the Stills stock photo marketplace. The Verge has seen the EXIF file for the anonymous photographer's image, and can confirm it wasn't captured using the Phone 3. According to the EXIF data, it was taken in 2023, long before the Phone 3 was released this year."

"The five photographs were featured on in-store demo units of Nothing's phone, and include shots of a spiral staircase, a car headlight, a glass, a window, and a woman looking towards the camera, all of which are available to license through Stills. Roman Fox, another photographer who captured the car headlight, also confirmed to Android Authority that Nothing had paid for his image, which was taken in 2023 using a Fujifilm XH2s camera."

"In a statement posted on X, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis says the stock images featured on live demo units were placeholders that should have been updated. Nothing is "actively rectifying" the situation, according to Evangelidis, describing the fakery as "an unfortunate oversight" with "no ill intent." "An initial version of the LDU [live demo unit] needs to be submitted with placeholders around 4 months before launch, to be implemented and tested as we ramp up towards mass production," said Evangelidis."

Five sample images presented as Phone 3 captures on in-store demo units were actually licensed stock photos available via the Stills marketplace. One anonymous photographer confirmed the image was not taken with a Phone 3 and EXIF data shows it was shot in 2023, before the Phone 3 release. Roman Fox confirmed Nothing purchased his 2023 Fujifilm XH2s car headlight photo. Demo samples displayed a message implying community captures with Phone 3. Nothing's co-founder called the images placeholders, described the incident as an oversight with no ill intent, and said the company is rectifying the issue.

Read at The Verge