Nothing CEO says AI agents may replace smartphone apps over time

In short: Nothing CEO Carl Pei says smartphone apps may fade over the next decade as AI agents take over everyday tasks inside the phone’s operating system.

What's going on

Carl Pei, the CEO of phone maker Nothing, says the way we use smartphones could change in 7 to 10 years. Instead of opening lots of separate apps, he thinks people will rely on AI agents, which are software helpers that can take actions for you, like booking something or sending a message.

Pei told TechCrunch and previously said in a May 2025 WIRED interview that the future phone could have “only one app,” the operating system (the built-in software that runs the phone). In his view, the operating system would learn what you usually do, suggest the next step, and carry it out with fewer taps. Think of it like a personal assistant who not only reminds you to do something, but also does the paperwork.

Nothing has been testing parts of this idea in its own software. The company has talked about features like “Essential Space” and “Essential Apps,” including tools that can create small custom apps from normal written instructions (you type what you want, and it builds a simple tool for that job).

Pei also pointed to obstacles. Many people are attached to familiar apps, and companies like Apple and Google make money from app stores, subscriptions, and in-app purchases. That creates pressure to keep the current system.

What to watch

Nothing says it plans “AI-native” devices in 2026 that are not smartphones, plus expansion into areas like smart glasses and cars. The big question is whether consumers and app makers will accept a future where the operating system, not individual apps, is the main place where everything happens.

Source: TechCrunch AI