Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast Nothing founder Carl Pei: ‘If you’re serious about hardware, you should spend time in China’
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Nov 27, 2025 
In this discussion, Carl Pei, the visionary founder of Nothing and co-founder of OnePlus, dives into the future of hardware and AI. He reveals insights from his time in China, emphasizing the importance of learning rapid prototyping. Pei outlines Nothing's innovative approach to creating personalized devices and the strategic need for smartphones in building their ecosystem. He also shares his enthusiasm for India’s booming market and the opportunities it offers, while addressing the challenges European startups face in hardware innovation.
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Ten Years Learning In Shenzhen
- Carl Pei spent ten years in Shenzhen learning rapid hardware and supply-chain practices.
- That experience taught him how to prototype fast and work closely with manufacturers.
OS Interfaces Need A Just-In-Time Makeover
- Current OS interfaces (folders, home screens) are stagnant after decades.
- Future UIs will predict needs from context and surface just-in-time actions, reducing manual steps.
Enable Users To Build Their Own Apps
- Let users create custom apps with natural language tools and editable code to lower development cost.
- Deploy small, personalized apps and iterate until they become delightful single-user products.