Nothing CEO predicts end of app stores: Future phones will use just one AI app

Carl Pei, CEO of London-based technology company Nothing and co-founder of OnePlus, has proposed a vision for the future of smartphones that significantly departs from the current app-based model.

Pei suggested that mobile devices may eventually operate using a single, AI-powered application designed to handle all user needs, potentially replacing the traditional multi-app ecosystem.

Moving beyond the app store model

Pei argued that smartphones, as they are currently designed, require users to manage a complex array of applications for various tasks.

According to him, this structure may give way to a more centralised and intelligent system—an application that adapts to each individual and can predict and respond to user intent without manual input.

This shift, he estimated, could take place within the next seven to ten years, as advancements in artificial intelligence continue to influence the development of mobile operating systems. The envisioned system would allow a smartphone to carry out actions based on contextual understanding, eliminating the need for discrete apps.

Design and functionality at the forefront

Nothing, the company Pei founded in 2020, has built its brand on a focus on design and minimalism. In the same interview, Pei emphasised the importance of creating technology that prioritises simplicity and reduces digital clutter. He pointed to the current fragmentation in user experience across platforms and applications as an area ripe for change.

While the concept of consolidating functionality into a single app is not yet realised, Pei indicated that it represents a broader ambition to make technology more intuitive and user-centric, rather than relying on constant interaction with multiple interfaces.

Growth and market position

Nothing reported 150% year-over-year growth, according to Pei, despite operating in a competitive market dominated by long-established brands. The company currently produces smartphones and other consumer electronics, with a product range that includes its CMF by Nothing sub-brand.

Rather than aiming for mass adoption, the company has focused on targeting specific communities, including creative professionals. Pei noted that such groups often influence broader trends in technology, and engaging with them may have longer-term strategic benefits.