Introduction
When I first saw the Nothing Phone (1) last year, it reminded me of the gadgets of the late 90s and early 2000s, particularly from Apple and Nintendo. In a true fashion, the Phone (1) paid homage to translucent devices of the past. At a time when smartphones have become instantly recognizable and boring, the Phone (1) gave an impression that Nothing wanted to do something new and fresh.
The strategy of combining nostalgic styles with new audiences seemed to work, but I felt the Phone (1) could have been so much better. However, Nothing realized where it went wrong with the Phone (1), and its successor, the Phone (2), seems less bizarre and more acceptable as an Android-powered smartphone. The Phone (2) is clearly Nothing's attempt to make a better smartphone.
Subtle Design Differences
At first glance, the Phone (2) looks exactly the same as its predecessor. Nothing hasn't made any major alterations to the physical design as such. Like the Phone (1), the Phone 2's transparent glass back shows off a bit of what's inside the body. You will see some innards and the LED that shows under the glass, which Nothing calls the Glyph interface (more on that later).
It still has an aluminum frame, which is now 100 percent recycled, while the phone gets a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen that offers variable refresh rates that can reach up to 120Hz. I must say, the display is bright and colorful, good enough to catch an episode of Silicon Valley on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai. The difference in real estate is indiscernible; however, the 6.7-inch screen size still feels like the perfect size for many people, especially those who like big phones.
During my brief time with the Phone (2), I picked it up more often. The glass is gently curved at the edges, and the display has thinner bezels. The phone felt solid and premium in my hand. It is slightly heavier and ever so slightly thicker, unless you compare them side by side, it is not noticeable.
Glyph Lights Are More Capable
The flashing lights that many people made fun of on the Nothing Phone (1) aren't going anywhere. In fact, the Glyph interface, as Nothing calls it, is core to the identity of the Phone (2) as well. As far as I remember before Nothing, Nokia went crazy with the idea of flashing lights on the 3220.
Anyway, the Phone (2) comes with an arrangement of LEDs that light up to indicate notification whenever you receive a message or a call. That's not to say it's precisely the same as the Phone (1). With the Phone (2), Nothing is promising deeper customization, letting you create custom light patterns for certain apps or contacts.
My favorite part is a new glyph timer that gives a clue about how close your Uber is. Nothing says it is also working with Zomato to integrate this functionality in the future.
Older Flagship Chip but Supremely Capable
The one thing I did notice after using the Nothing Phone (2) is how responsive it is compared to the Phone (1). There's absolutely zero lag time when scrolling through apps or taking notes. It is because of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which is faster than last year's Snapdragon 778G Plus in the Nothing Phone (1). Sure, the Phone (2)'s processor is slightly older, but that would still make the device one of the fastest phones you can buy. Elsewhere, the phone comes with either 8GB or 12GB RAM and 128/256/512GB storage.
The Phone 2 runs on Android 13, but Nothing has heavily customized the user interface. I like the monochromatic feel of the interface, and especially the dot-matrix style texts and icons. Nothing promises that the Phone (2) will receive three years of OS updates and an additional fourth year of security updates. That's an attempt to match the likes of Samsung and the rest of the players in the industry.
This year's Phone (2) does have a marginally bigger 4700mAh cell than the Phone (1)'s 4500mAh battery. However, it remains to be seen how it performs in our tests. But I hope the phone's battery should last a day on a single charge. It supports 45-watt fast charging, which Nothing says will take it from zero to full in a flat 55 minutes.
Same Cameras but Expect Better Processing
I wasn't entirely convinced with the Phone (1)'s cameras. They were less sharp and lacked fine details compared to the iPhone 13's cameras. This time around, Nothing once again sticks to the same camera setup we saw on the Phone (1). There are two 50-megapixel cameras—one main camera and the other an ultra-wide one.
It would be too early for me to pass the verdict on how the cameras perform, but I think the improved Snapdragon processor will bring better software processing, resulting in better colors and exposure.
Watch out for our detailed review of the Phone (2), which will be live this week.
Early Thoughts
Overall, for someone who's been happy using the Nothing Phone (1), they will find these updates in Phone (2) a little indulgent. Frankly, people will not be able to tell the difference between the Phone (1) and Phone (2).
It's not to say that things really didn't move on from the Phone (1) in a significant way. The design may be the same as last year, but the performance and the screen are much improved, and amidst all this, the price has also risen, with the base model starting at Rs 44,999.
Specfication for Nothing Phone 2
- Size: 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass
- Features: Always On Display
- Card slot: No
- Internal storage: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
- 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
- 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
- Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
- Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR, OIS
- Single camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
- Features: HDR
- Video: 1080p@30fps
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm jack: No
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE
- Positioning: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1), NavIC
- NFC: Yes
- Radio: No
- USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
- Charging: 45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4, 100% in 55 min (advertised)
- Wireless charging: 15W, 100% in 130 min (advertised)
- Reverse wireless charging: 5W
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Nostalgic Design: The Nothing Phone (2) pays homage to the translucent devices of the past, bringing back a sense of nostalgia for users who appreciate retro aesthetics.
- Improved Display: With a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen and variable refresh rates of up to 120Hz, the Phone (2) offers a bright and colorful display, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Customizable Glyph Lights: The Phone (2) features an arrangement of LEDs called the Glyph interface, which allows for deeper customization of notification lights, enabling users to create personalized light patterns for different apps or contacts.
- Responsive Performance: Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, the Phone (2) delivers excellent responsiveness and zero lag time when using apps or multitasking.
- Ample Storage and RAM: Users can choose from different storage and RAM configurations (128GB/8GB, 256GB/12GB, 512GB/12GB), providing ample space for storing files and running demanding applications.
- Extended OS Updates: Nothing promises three years of OS updates and an additional fourth year of security updates, ensuring that users can enjoy the latest software features and security enhancements.
- Fast Charging Capability: The Phone (2) supports 45-watt fast charging, allowing the device to be charged from zero to full in just 55 minutes, providing convenience for users on the go.
Cons:
- Similar Design to Predecessor: The Phone (2) maintains a design similar to its predecessor, which may disappoint users looking for a more distinctive visual update.
- Unchanged Camera Setup: While the Phone (2) retains the same camera setup as the Phone (1), it may not offer significant improvements in terms of image quality and detail.
- Price Increase: The base model of the Phone (2) starts at a higher price compared to its predecessor, which could deter some potential buyers looking for a more affordable option.
- Limited Information on Battery Performance: Although the Phone (2) features a larger battery compared to the Phone (1), its actual battery performance and endurance are yet to be fully evaluated.
- Lack of 3.5mm Headphone Jack: The Phone (2) follows the trend of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, which may inconvenience users who prefer using wired headphones or accessories.
- Availability and Market Competition: As with any new product, the availability of the Phone (2) might be limited initially, and it faces competition from other established smartphone brands in the market.
- Subject to Change: The specifications and details mentioned in this article are based on available information at the time of writing and are subject to change as official announcements and user reviews become available.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone (2) successfully blends nostalgia and innovation, offering a familiar design with improved features and performance. While the design remains largely unchanged, the Phone (2) impresses with its brighter display, deeper customization options with Glyph lights, and a highly responsive Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. The cameras, although unchanged, are expected to deliver better results through improved software processing.
Nothing continues to refine their vision of a unique smartphone experience, catering to those seeking something different from the standardized offerings in the market. With its subtle enhancements and promising specifications, the Nothing Phone (2) holds the potential to carve out a niche for itself among smartphone enthusiasts.
FAQs
Q1: Is the Nothing Phone (2) compatible with 5G networks?
A1: Yes, the Nothing Phone (2) is compatible with 5G networks, providing users with fast and reliable connectivity.
Q2: Can I expect good battery life from the Nothing Phone (2)?
A2: The Nothing Phone (2) features a larger battery compared to its predecessor, and while real-world performance may vary, it is expected to last a day on a single charge.
Q3: Does the Nothing Phone (2) support wireless charging?
A3: Yes, the Nothing Phone (2) supports wireless charging, allowing for convenient and cable-free charging experiences.
Please note that the specifications and details mentioned in this article are based on the information available at the time of writing, and may be subject to change. For accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to refer to official sources and documentation.
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