Meet the Nothing Phone (2): an Android smartphone with a sleek design, a better camera system than its predecessor and lots of cheerful lights. Something you, the consumer, have to pay just a little more for.
This past week, WANT editor-in-chief Mark Hofman went wild with the new smartphone from Nothing, the company of OnePlus founder Carl Pei. In this article, he updates you on the things he thinks you want to know about the device.
The design of the Nothing Phone (2) is downright striking
If I’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that companies spend an incredible amount of time designing their product. But at the end of the day, what matters most is how the consumer feels about it.
For example, one person goes great on the matte back of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, while another loves the camera system of the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Well, and so I do go nice on the Nothing Phone (2). I’m feeling it.
Not surprising, since I normally use an iPhone 14 Pro as my daily smartphone. And if there’s one Android smartphone that comes close to the same look and feel, it’s that Nothing Phone (2).
Although because of the hole-punch display, the two lenses on the back and the open back, the design suits me just a little better. And then you also have those cool lights.
Meet the improved Glyph
Yes, those lights are really something else. The collection on the back of the Nothing Phone (2) is called the Glyph. Whereas last year this collection consisted of five different parts, this year there are eleven.
The result is not only a sleek look (in my opinion), but also many more stimuli. Which is funny, because according to Nothing itself, that is anything but the intention. A few examples.
The Flip to Glyph feature causes your Nothing Phone (2) to switch to light notifications as soon as you lay it with the screen on the table. Ringtones and notifications are then spectacularly displayed on the back. A little unsettling, but bold.
Those notifications can also be made yourself using the Glyph Composer. Push a few buttons, find your rhythm and then record the rhythm in full. But the lights can also be used for other things.
Nothing Phone (2) does things a little differently
For example, the Glyph can be used as an indicator for your Timer, indicates how full your battery is while charging, and is a less painful alternative to your smartphone’s flashlight.
And with that, the Nothing Phone (2) does do certain things differently than its predecessor. For example, it allows integration with apps like Uber and Home Delivery, to indicate through the light how far your driver or order is from you.
The other piece is the link between contacts and notifications. You can choose to keep all notifications silent and set up special notifications for contacts.
So through those custom notifications, you know that certain, important, contacts need you.
Nothing OS 2.0
All of the above is fully configurable in the Glyph Interface within Nothing OS 2.0. That is the updated Android smartphone operating system.
The software is plugged in to make you go through life more mindful and focused. This is reflected, for example, in the available widget, which provide more information through animations and different views compact.
At the same time, Quick Settings can also be found within that menu, allowing you to quickly get to your settings without distraction. Just like this is possible with your favorite applications.
Furthermore, it remains an Android smartphone so build your own widgets, customize the home screen, manage app labels and use an alternative theme.
Nothing Phone (2) vs the Phone (1)
As for the Phone (1), that sounds pretty familiar, and the chances of you buying the Phone (2) if you have last year’s I think are pretty slim.
But if you do put the two side by side for a moment, what are the biggest differences?
It all sounds very familiar to people who have experience with the Phone (1). So the chances of you being interested in that Nothing Phone (2) after you bought the device last year seem pretty slim to me.
But for the interested among us, what are the main differences between the two Android smartphones now?
Pure power & camera
Whereas the Phone (1) had a Snapdragon 778G+ last year, this time the Phone (2) features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a nice step forward that comes with slightly more storage capacity.
This time there is an 8GB option with 128GB storage, a 12GB option with 256GB storage, and the new 12GB option with 512GB of storage. A slight change in offerings, then.
The same goes for the camera system, by the way. The Android smartphone again features two 50-megapixel lenses, but this time it features Motion Capture 2.0: an AI that can bring moving objects into sharper focus.
On the front, the 16-megapixel selfie camera has been replaced by a 32-megapixel model.
Display & battery
The 6.55-inch OLED screen of the Phone (1) gives way to the 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen in the Nothing Phone (2). This screen varies between 1Hz and 120Hz to put less strain on the battery.
Furthermore, the maximum brightness has been increased from 1,200 nits to 1,600 nits so that you can read the screen better in the outdoors.
The battery of the Nothing Phone (2) is slightly larger at 4700mAh (previously 4500mAh) and charges faster. The 2022 model was fully charged in 70 minutes, while this year’s model takes 55 minutes.
Both devices support wireless charging with an output of 15W.
Nothing Phone (2): prices and availability
The Nothing Phone (2) will be available in the Netherlands from July 21 in white and dark gray. We can choose from two different models:
12GB RAM and 256GB storage for €699.
12GB RAM and 512GB storage for €799.