With the Nothing Phone (3), The brand wanted to raise the bar in photography. How? With its new TrueLens Engine 4, It's a processing system that uses artificial intelligence to further enhance photos through algorithms, from HDR to zoom. The name sounds like pure marketing hype, but the real question is: is this noticeable in everyday use?
Ultra XDR photos: HDR that's noticeable, but not excessive
Here the mobile phone even... 13 RAW photos It uses different exposures to create a more balanced image. Then, it boosts the brightness of each pixel on the screen up to 12 times. The idea is to see more detail and light without the photo looking cartoonish.
Does it work? Yes, sometimes, especially in challenging scenes like backlit scenes or interiors with windows. But keep in mind, advanced HDR isn't new. What's interesting is how Nothing applies it, with a less aggressive approach than other manufacturers.
Semantic segmentation: AI that understands what it sees
The camera doesn't just capture light and color. With this technology, AI analyzes the image. retail, It differentiates between sky, trees, people, ground… and adjusts each part separately. The result is more realistic photos, without garish colors or strange contrasts.
It's not a revolution, but it is a step forward for those who want good photos without having to edit anything afterwards.
Portrait mode: improved blur
The classic bokeh effect has been significantly improved. AI accurately recognizes skin, clothing, and even stray strands of hair. This results in portraits with softer blurs and skin tones that don't look like they were created with a filter app.
It's not perfect, but you can tell they've put work into this mode. The background no longer looks like it was cut out with a click.
Action mode: ideal for photos with movement
This mode increases the shutter speed when it detects action in the scene: children running, dogs jumping, someone dancing. It also takes multiple photos to combine them and avoid blur.
It works well. You're not going to freeze a Formula 1 car, but you will avoid many blurry photos that used to end up in the trash.
Ultra Zoom with GenAI: that's a whole different story
When you zoom in above 30x magnification, the following comes into play: generative AI. What you see on screen isn't exactly what the lens captured, but a reconstruction. It's like saying to the camera, "What do you think should be here?"«
It's useful for recognizing license plates or reading a distant sign, but don't use it for forensic evidence. Luckily, you can disable this feature, Something that many will appreciate.
So… is it worth it?
TrueLens Engine 4 isn't revolutionary, but it is a firm step towards smarter mobile photography. It's not all hype: there are real improvements, especially for those who want to point and shoot without any fuss.
That said, there's a lot of marketing behind it. Ultimately, what matters is that the photos turn out well without having to worry about processing, formats, or editing. And in that respect, Nothing seems to be on the right track.
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