Nothing’s Essential Space feature may cost as much as $120 per year, app hints

Ben Schoon | Mar 26 2025 - 1:15 pm PT

Nothing is building out new AI features for its smartphones, with the “Essential Space” on the Phone (3a) series even bringing a physical button along with it. Apparently, though, Essential Space may end up costing users $120 per year, a Nothing app hints.

The Essential Space is an AI-powered app that analyzes screenshots, pictures, and voice recordings to generate to-do lists, reminders, and more. It’s a clever idea, and one that’s easy to access with the help of a dedicated “Essential Key” found on the side of the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. Nothing has also previously teased that additional features are coming later, including “Flip to Record” for automatic voice recordings and more.

But, apparently, it’s not going to be cheap.

As it stands today, Essential Space is free for Nothing Phone (3a) owners during this “early access” period, but Android Authority found references in Nothing’s latest software update that suggests payment will be required in the future.

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Strings in the Essential Space app talk about a “free trial” and “AI credits.” Apparently, users could get a 1-year free trial, but would eventually be required to pay as much as $120/year for the service.

<string name=”settings_ai_claim_hint”>AI credits are used to analyse an item recorded and saved in Essential Space.</string>

<string name=”settings_ai_hint”>Your free trial will expire on %s.</string>

<string name=”free_trial_message”>Ready to explore Essential Space? Tap ‘Continue’ to unlock all features and get early access to what’s coming next, like Smart Collections, Focused Search, Flip to Record, and Camera Capture.</string>

<string name=”free_trial_start_one_year”>Start 1 year free trial</string>

<string name=”free_trial_title”>Join our early access program</string>

<string name=”claim_free_trial”>Continue</string>

<string name=”claim_now”>Enroll</string>

<string name=”claim_price”>(USD 120)</string>

So far, Nothing has discussed Essential Space in terms of it being an early access product, something that’s not finished. To date, Nothing has said… nothing regarding pricing for Essential Space, and still claims that “no decisions have been made.” In a statement, Nothing says:

We’re currently offering early access to Essential Space and are focused on refining the experience based on user feedback. Essential Space is Nothing’s new, AI-powered hub for notes, ideas, and inspirations – designed to capture, process, and recall like a second memory. No decisions have been made yet around potential pricing and our focus remains on improving the product.