Nothing Phone (2) Intro
A year after the release of the Nothing Phone (1) with its midrange specifications and limited availability, the Nothing Phone (2) is here with upgraded specifications, improved cameras, and an upgraded Glyph on its back. Nothing has doubled down on the large glowing symbol on the back, breaking it down into more parts to display more patterns. The Phone (2) is also launching with almost flagship-level specifications, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. It will be more widely available, launching in the US and Europe. In this article, we will share our hands-on impressions with the Nothing Phone (2)!
What’s new about the device
- More powerful hardware
- Slightly bigger display
- LTPO screen that can go as low as 1 Hz
- Glyph interface upgrades
Nothing Phone (2) Unboxing
The Nothing Phone (2) comes in a minimalist package with a minimalist design. Inside the box, you’ll find the phone and the charging cable. Bonus points for the transparent plug pieces on the USB C cable!
Nothing Phone (2) Specs
The Phone (2) is encroaching on premium territory with its specifications:
Size and Weight
- Dimensions: 6.38 x 3.00 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm)
- Weight: 7.1 oz (201.2 g)
Display
- 6.7″ LTPO OLED display with a 1 Hz – 120 Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits
Processor
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
RAM, Storage and Price
- 8 GB RAM / 128 GB storage for $599
- 12 GB RAM / 256 GB storage for $699
- 12 GB RAM / 512 GB storage for $799
Software
- Nothing OS 2.0, based on Android 13
Cameras
- 50 MP wide camera with f/1.8 aperture
- 50 MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture
- 32 MP front camera
Battery Size
- 4,700 mAh
Charging Speeds
- 45 W wired charging
- 15 W wireless charging
- 5 W reverse wireless charging
Nothing Phone (2) Design & Colors
The Nothing Phone (2) features a beautiful and simple design. It is made of a glass and metal sandwich, with Gorilla Glass on the front and back and an aluminum midframe. The materials used are eco-friendly, with 100% recycled aluminum and 80% recycled or bio-based plastics. The device is IP54 rated, offering protection against water splashes.
The phone feels large-ish, similar to an iPhone 14 Plus, but not overly big. The glass panel on the back curves into the edges, providing a softer feel. It has a decent weight, balanced for comfortable handling. The standout feature is the LED array on the back, known as the Glyph interface. It’s an odd-shaped symbol that represents Nothing’s branding. The Glyph is split into more parts on the Phone (2), allowing for more patterns and even a progress bar. The Phone (2) is available in black and white colors, with the black model leaning towards a gray-ish look.
Nothing Phone (2) Display
The new Phone (2) boasts a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel, slightly larger than its predecessor. The display is capable of a 1 Hz refresh rate, which is useful for an always-on feature without draining the battery. With a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels, the screen is sharp and dense, offering about 394 pixels per inch. It supports HDR10+ and has a full screen brightness of 1,000 nits, with a peak pixel brightness of 1,600 nits. The Phone (2) also features an under-screen fingerprint scanner for secure unlocking.
Nothing Phone (2) Camera
The main camera on the Phone (2) has a new 50 MP Sony IMX890 sensor, along with improved post-processing algorithms and the smarts of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Here are some sample pictures taken with the Nothing Phone (2) as we prepare for our final review:
- Main Camera – Day
- Main Camera – Low-light
- Ultra-wide Camera
- Selfies
Nothing Phone (2) OS / Android version
The Nothing Phone (2) comes with Nothing OS 2.0, which introduces cool features and the unique “Nothing vision” to your screen. Nothing offers the option to remove colorful noise and branding from app icons on the home screen. The default theme for Nothing OS is monochrome, and it automatically swaps app icons with monochrome versions. However, you can choose a more traditional theme if desired. The homescreen folders have also been improved, allowing for more apps to be organized within them. Nothing OS 2.0 introduces the ability to add quick toggles to the lockscreen, providing convenient access to commonly used features. Additionally, Nothing has developed its own Weather app.
New Glyph features
The Glyph interface on the back of the Phone (2) has received enhancements. It can now display brighter and dimmer patterns, and an ambience sensor allows the Glyph to adjust its intensity. Certain apps can be set as “persistent,” continuously displaying the chosen Glyph pattern until the phone is picked up. The top arch of the central Glyph can serve as a progress bar, displaying timers or 3rd party app integrations. Currently, Uber is the only app that supports this feature, showing the progress of your ride on the Glyph interface. Additionally, the Glyph Composer app allows users to create their own light patterns and LED compositions. The Phone (2) comes with 5 sound packs for the Composer, with more options available through artist partnerships in the future.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone (2) brings notable upgrades compared to its predecessor, offering powerful hardware, a larger display, and an improved camera system. It features a minimalist design with eco-friendly materials and the unique Glyph interface on the back. The Nothing OS 2.0 introduces innovative features and customization options, enhancing the user experience. Overall, the Nothing Phone (2) delivers flagship-level specifications at an attractive price point.
FAQs
- Can I remove the Glyph interface on the Nothing Phone (2)?
- What is the resolution of the display on the Phone (2)?
- Does the Phone (2) support wireless charging?
- Is the Nothing Phone (2) waterproof?
- Can I customize the app icons on the home screen?
