Ideas, insights, and opinions
25 items
25 items
Nothing is proving that people buy brands, not just better specs. Here's why standing for something matters.

In this opinion piece, Koto CEO and co-founder James Greenfield explores why being better is no longer enough in the smartphone market. Faster chips, bigger cameras, and new AI features have become expected. As products become more similar, so does the marketing around them.
Nothing has taken a different approach. Instead of trying to beat Apple and Samsung on features, it has focused on building a brand people want to be part of. Its transparent phones, bold design, distinctive campaigns, stores, and website all tell the same story. Every part of the experience feels intentional and recognisable.
James argues that this starts with knowing exactly who you're building for. Nothing isn't trying to appeal to everyone. It has a clear audience, a clear personality, and the confidence to do things differently, even if that means some people won't like it.
The lesson goes well beyond smartphones. In any mature market where products are becoming harder to tell apart, brands need people to remember more than a list of features. The companies that win are often the ones with a clear point of view, a consistent identity, and products that give people a reason to care.
Los Angeles