Startup Originals Team
Carl Pei’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From his early beginnings in Beijing to co-founding one of the world’s most innovative smartphone brands, his story is a testament to ambition, bold thinking, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in consumer technology.
Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spark:
Carl Pei was born on September 11, 1989, in Beijing, China. At a young age, he moved to Sweden with his family, growing up in the city of Stockholm. Even during his school years, Pei showed a strong interest in business and technology. He launched his first venture, an import-export company while still in high school.
His entrepreneurial drive soon took priority over academics. After just one year in college, he made the bold decision to drop out and focus entirely on building a career in the tech world.
Starting Out: From Nokia to Meizu
Pei’s professional journey began in 2010 at Nokia. Though his time there was brief, it served as a stepping stone to greater opportunities. In 2011, he joined Meizu, a Chinese electronics company, initially running a fan site dedicated to their products. His enthusiasm caught the company’s attention, and he was offered a marketing role at Meizu’s Hong Kong office.
Climbing the Ladder at Oppo:
In 2012, Carl joined Oppo as the international markets manager. It was here that he met Pete Lau, a senior executive who would later become his business partner. Their shared vision for creating cutting-edge yet affordable smartphones laid the groundwork for something revolutionary.
OnePlus: Disrupting the Smartphone Market
In 2013, Carl Pei and Pete Lau co-founded OnePlus, aiming to deliver flagship-quality smartphones at a more accessible price. Their first product, the OnePlus One, launched in 2014, instantly attracted global attention for its impressive specs and affordable cost. It quickly gained a loyal fanbase and disrupted the traditional smartphone market model.
Under Pei’s leadership, OnePlus grew into a major player in the industry, known for its bold marketing strategies, community-driven product development, and high-performance devices.
A New Chapter: Launching Nothing
In 2020, Carl Pei made headlines when he announced his departure from OnePlus. Not long after, he introduced his new venture-Nothing, on January 27, 2021. His mission: to bring originality back to consumer electronics by blending design, technology, and user experience in innovative ways.
Nothing’s first smartphone, the Phone (1), debuted in March 2022. It stood out with a transparent back, a distinctive glyph interface (a pattern of lights for notifications), and strong performance at a competitive price. The design-forward approach won praise from both users and critics alike.
Expanding the Ecosystem: More Devices, Bigger Impact
Following the success of Phone (1), Nothing quickly expanded its product line. Devices like the Phone (2), Phone 2a, 2a Plus, and most recently the Phone 3a and 3a Pro (released in 2025), showed the brand’s growing ambition and innovation in the smartphone space.
To reach an even wider audience, Nothing also launched a sub-brand called CMF by Nothing, focused on delivering more affordable tech products without compromising on design and quality.
Massive Growth and Global Reach:
By 2024, Nothing had made a massive impact on the global tech scene. The company more than doubled its annual revenue, crossing $500 million, and achieved over $1 billion in total sales. In just a few years, Nothing had sold more than 7 million devices worldwide-a huge milestone for a young startup in such a competitive market.
Carl Pei’s Legacy and Influence:
Carl Pei has emerged as one of the most admired figures in the technology industry. His story is more than just business success-it’s about challenging norms, building passionate communities, and inspiring innovation.
From launching a small fan site to leading two of the most influential tech brands of the last decade, Pei’s vision continues to shape the future of consumer electronics. His fearless approach and commitment to design-driven, user-focused products have made him a role model for the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
