The Nothing Phone 2 has officially arrived, and after weeks of tantalizing teasers, we finally get to see if the hype surrounding this new iteration of the transparent-backed smartphone lives up to expectations. The Nothing Phone 1 was (and still is) a solid debut from a fledgling company, striking a chord with its innovative design and competitive price point. The Phone 2, therefore, has a challenging task ahead – surpassing the success of its predecessor. While our comprehensive review is in progress, let’s dive into our initial impressions and unpack the exciting features this new smartphone brings to the table.
A Glimpse at the Nothing Phone 2: A Refined Design and Notable Upgrades
The unboxing experience of the Nothing Phone 2, much like its predecessor, is sleek and minimalist, though this time it comes packaged in a more substantial box. Inside, alongside the usual documentation and a transparent SIM eject tool, you’ll find a stylish USB Type-C cable featuring a transparent section near the connector. The Phone 2 is available in a new Dark Grey color, supplementing the classic white option. This generation of the phone arrives in three configurations with varying storage options: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 12GB RAM + 256GB storage, and a new 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. While the prices of the Phone 2 are undeniably higher compared to the initial launch pricing of the Phone 1, Nothing has implemented significant upgrades in a bid to justify the price bump.
Nothing Phone 2: Design – A Familiar Yet Refined Aesthetic
For Nothing, design remains a paramount priority, arguably even more influential than raw specifications. The Phone 2 subtly builds upon the core aesthetic foundation established by its predecessor, resulting in a refined design that, though familiar, is distinct. Upon first glance, telling the two models apart can be tricky, but upon closer inspection, the differences become apparent. The Nothing Phone 2 embodies a larger footprint, noticeably taller and broader than its predecessor, making it a bit heavier and thicker. Despite the increased dimensions, the phone still boasts an excellent hand feel, a testament to Nothing’s commitment to ergonomic design. Notably, the mid-frame is now crafted from 100 percent recycled aluminium, reflecting Nothing’s growing environmental consciousness.
The arrangement of the antenna bands and one of the microphones has been slightly adjusted on the Phone 2. However, the buttons and ports retain their familiar positioning from the Phone 1. The back panel of the Phone 2 now features curved edges, enhancing the grip and feel in the hand. A noticeable enhancement to the design is the Glyph lights, now boasting a greater number of segments, enabling a broader range of lighting patterns and increased informational display capabilities.
Nothing Phone 2: Display – A Bright and Adaptive Viewing Experience
The display on the Nothing Phone 2 maintains its flat design but now features a centered hole-punch camera, housing the selfie camera. The display stretches to 6.7 inches, and Nothing has opted for an updated LTPO OLED panel, offering a dynamic refresh rate that elegantly adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz as needed, guaranteeing optimal performance and power efficiency. The peak brightness has been significantly boosted to 1,600 nits, ensuring visibility even under harsh lighting conditions. Additionally, the Phone 2’s waterproofing rating has been slightly bumped up to IP54, exceeding the IP53 rating of its predecessor.
Nothing Phone 2: Performance – A Powerful Processor Underneath
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 2 packs a punch with a significant upgrade in hardware. Instead of the mid-range chip found in the Phone 1, Nothing has opted for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, a more premium choice known for its robust performance. While not the absolute latest chip, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a thoroughly tested and battle-hardened processor that should confidently deliver a smooth and immersive user experience within its intended segment. The battery capacity has experienced a modest increase to 4,700mAh, providing ample juice for everyday use. The Phone 2 now boasts 45W PD fast charging support, allowing for rapid top-ups. The wireless charging capability remains at 15W, and the phone also offers 5W reverse wireless charging, enabling users to charge other devices wirelessly.
Nothing Phone 2: Cameras – Capturing Memories in High Resolution
The Nothing Phone 2 retains the dual rear camera configuration, but the main camera has been notably upgraded to a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor, a sensor that has graced a wide array of recent smartphones, including the OnePlus 11R and OnePlus Nord 3. The ultrawide camera maintains the 50-megapixel Samsung JN1 sensor used in the Phone 1, but it now features autofocus, enabling superior macro photography. The selfie camera on the Phone 2 has also been enhanced, now employing a 32-megapixel Sony IMX615 sensor. Our thorough camera testing is still underway, but we’ll share our in-depth analysis and final thoughts in our upcoming comprehensive review.
Nothing Phone 2: Software – Nothing OS 2.0 Brings New Features
The Nothing Phone 2 runs Nothing OS 2.0, based on the latest Android 13. The company has committed to providing three years of Android upgrades and an extended four years of security patches, ensuring a long-lasting and secure user experience. Nothing OS 2 introduces several enhancements, including new widgets, a stylish monochrome icon pack, and numerous subtle tweaks to the user interface.
The Glyph lighting system has received substantial customisation options. It now supports auto-brightness, and users can tag specific apps or notifications as "essential." This feature ensures that a single light strip on the back remains illuminated until the notification is addressed, providing a subtle but effective visual reminder. There are also new ringtones and notification sound packs, and the Glyph lights can now be used to track timers and check the progress of tasks within third-party apps like Uber. Finally, the Glyph composer allows users to create personalized ringtones and alert sounds, adding a touch of individuality to the smartphone experience.
Nothing Phone 2: Competition in India – Facing Stiff Competition
In the Indian smartphone market, the Nothing Phone 2 faces formidable competition from devices such as the OnePlus 11 5G, Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ 5G, and iQoo 11 5G. Our full review will delve deeper into the software and performance aspects, providing a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation. But in the meantime, feel free to leave your queries and questions in the comments section. Stay tuned for our in-depth review for a comprehensive analysis of the Nothing Phone 2, and let us know what specifically interests you about this intriguing new smartphone.
