Good news for Nothing Phone (3a) users: the Essential Space feature will remain free for now, despite earlier speculation that it could come with a hefty price tag. Initially, rumors suggested that the feature, which lets users capture screenshots with or without voice notes using a dedicated side button, might require a $120 annual subscription.
However, Nothing has cleared up the confusion, reassuring users that this functionality will stay free in its current form.
The Essential Space feature uses AI to process captured data, generating useful reminders, lists, and other relevant details. Though the company initially sparked concern with a leaked APK that hinted at a paid model, CEO Carl Pei clarified that no such charges are planned for the feature at this time. The leak, Pei explained, involved old code that was never meant for production and was not part of the final software release.
In a recent interview, Pei discussed the confusion, noting that the leaked APK simply contained leftover code. According to him, the company hadn’t properly communicated with users about the feature’s development, leading to the misunderstanding. Pei also revealed that Essential Space is still in the early stages, with around 90% of its functionality yet to be developed. While the feature is free now, he did hint at the possibility of a “premium tier” in the future, which would offer extra features at a cost.
As of now, Essential Space remains a preview feature for Nothing Phone (3a) users and will also be part of the upcoming Nothing Phone (3) release on July 1. The company plans to refine and improve the feature before making any decisions about a potential premium version. For now, users can continue enjoying Essential Space without worrying about any hidden costs.