Nothing Phones Get One-Button Call Recording Feature

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

Nothing just unveiled a sharp update for its latest smartphones, adding call recording that kicks in with a single button press. The company announced via X on October 6 that the feature is rolling out to Phone 3, 3a, and 3a Pro through the Essential Space AI suite. It is a server-side update, so it arrives automatically without any manual installation, according to 9to5Google. Call recording keeps topping wish lists, even with all the regulatory hurdles from country to country, so the timing lands well.

How the Essential Key transforms call recording

The trick is Nothing’s Essential Key, a dedicated button tucked just below the power key. On a call, you get a “Recording available” notification. From there, you can long-press the Essential Key for a hands-free start, or tap the start button in the notification tray, as confirmed by Beebom.

The clever bit is that it works without looking at the screen. The Essential Key can trigger recording sight unseen, ideal when a call turns important and you need to capture details fast. It builds on what the key already did, like screenshots and voice notes with different press patterns.

PRO TIP: The Essential Key sits just below the power button, so it is easy to find by feel. On a long client call or an interview, start recording mid-conversation without the awkward scramble through on-screen menus.

AI-powered transcription and smart organization

Once the call ends, Nothing’s AI steps in. It auto-generates contextual titles based on what you discussed, identifies participants, and produces transcripts with short summaries and key highlights. Everything lands in the Essential Space app, where you can access both the audio and the transcript.

This goes beyond basic transcription. Summaries bubble up the important points so you can skim instead of reliving a 40-minute call. Essential Space has been growing its AI toolkit this year, pulling in camera integration and clipboard privileges to create smart collections from copied content.

Picture a call about deadlines and budget changes. Instead of frantic note-taking, you might see a title like “Project Timeline Discussion with Sarah,” plus highlighted dates and figures in the summary. Suddenly, the recording is not just a backup; it is a searchable memory.

Regional availability and device compatibility

The rollout targets markets where call recording rules are more flexible. It launches in the UK, Japan, India, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia by October 7, with more countries on the horizon.

Only the newest devices get it. Phone 3, 3a, and 3a Pro support this feature because it relies on the physical key and Essential Space AI. The update is automatic, so the option simply appears once the server-side switch flips.

This regional approach mirrors the messy reality of international privacy law. Rules differ wildly, and these launch countries generally allow recording with proper consent or notification. It is a cautious rollout, and it reads as compliance first, convenience right behind it.

Navigating the call recording landscape

Call recording has always been a minefield. Google’s Phone app supports it in some places, yet EU markets are not listed, and GDPR-related constraints are commonly cited for call-recording rollouts. Nothing takes a different route by wiring recording into its Essential Space ecosystem instead of the standard dialer.

The company has dealt with scrutiny before, with earlier versions criticized for what some called discreet recording. This new integration feels more careful about regulation, framing the feature around legitimate uses like capturing important business chats or safeguarding users in tough situations. The regional limits back that up.

What this means for Nothing's ecosystem strategy

This update is not just another toggle in Settings; it signals Nothing’s strategy to stand out with AI experiences tied to custom hardware. Essential Space has evolved fast since launch, moving from a simple capture tool to an assistant that processes screenshots, voice notes, and now phone conversations. The handoff between the Essential Key and cloud processing feels seamless, the kind of pairing that is hard to mimic without similar hardware.

For users in supported regions, the result is practical and immediate. It makes calls more useful, without adding complexity. As Essential Space grows, the pattern is clear: smart AI that quietly does the heavy lifting.

The takeaway: Nothing is not tossing in features for flash. It is building an ecosystem where hardware, software, and AI row in the same direction. The Essential Key’s journey from screenshot button to all-purpose AI trigger shows that a small piece of hardware, placed just right, can still move the needle in a market full of similar chips and sensors.

Image via Nothing