Nothing calls ‘fake news’ on shutdown report while confirming key changes - 9to5Google

What the report says

9to5Google reports that consumer technology company Nothing has rejected a report claiming it planned to leave about a dozen international markets, while also acknowledging internal changes that have affected some jobs. The outlet said the earlier report alleged declining sales, including a claim that Phone (4b) sales were below 20,000 units, and suggested layoffs could follow. Nothing executive Akis Evangelidis disputed the account on X, describing it as “fake news,” according to 9to5Google.

The company’s response, as reported by 9to5Google, said Nothing is not closing any markets and challenged the reported Phone (4b) sales figure. Evangelidis said the budget device sold close to 30,000 units on its first day, a figure presented as evidence that the earlier sales claim was wrong. The article did not include independent verification of either sales figure.

At the same time, 9to5Google said Nothing confirmed it is reorganizing. Evangelidis described plans to create dedicated business units, including one focused on AI-native products, and to combine country operations into regional hubs. He said some roles had been affected, but did not provide a number, citing regulatory and local consultation processes. The earlier report’s suggestion that up to 40% of the company could be affected was characterized by Nothing as greatly overstated.

The development matters because Nothing has positioned itself as a high-profile challenger in smartphones and consumer electronics, where market exits and workforce reductions can signal pressure on growth plans. Based on 9to5Google’s account, the company is denying a retreat from markets while confirming a shift in operating structure. The outlet also noted that the journalist behind the earlier report said Nothing had been given several days to comment before publication.