Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2) Review

Design

The Nothing Phone (2), released on July 17, 2023, features a distinctive design language, characterized by its transparent back and Glyph interface. It measures 162.1mm in height, 76.4mm in width, and 8.6mm in depth, weighing 201.2 grams. The build incorporates a durable frame and Corning Gorilla Glass for screen protection, offering a premium feel. It is available in two color options: White and Dark Gray. The device is not foldable and has a 2.5D curved glass screen.

Display

The phone boasts a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 394 ppi. The display supports 1 billion colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and achieves a peak brightness of 1600 nits (HBM and peak). The dynamic refresh rate is enabled by the LTPO technology, allowing for smoother scrolling and better battery efficiency. The screen has a 20:9 aspect ratio, a contrast ratio of 8,000,000:1 and features a hole-punch notch for the selfie camera. Other notable features include a 360 Hz touch sampling rate, always-on display, DCI-P3 color gamut support, DC dimming, 10-bit panel, LED notifications, and scratch resistance.

Performance

The Nothing Phone (2) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset. The octa-core CPU configuration consists of one Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, three Cortex-A710 cores at 2.5 GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores at 1.80 GHz. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 730 GPU. The phone comes with various RAM configurations and UFS 3.1 storage options, including 8GB/128GB, 12GB/256GB, and 12GB/512GB, with no option for expandable storage. An AnTuTu benchmark score of 1,135,786 (v10) highlights its performance capabilities. A cooling system aids in maintaining consistent performance during intensive use. The phone is equipped with various sensors, including an under-display fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor, accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope.

Camera

The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main camera using a Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.88 aperture, 1.0µm pixel size and OIS, and a 50MP ultrawide/macro camera using a Samsung S5KJN1 sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 0.64µm pixel size. The front-facing selfie camera has a 32MP Sony IMX615 sensor with f/2.45 aperture and 0.8µm pixel size. Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps and 60fps with HDR, OIS, and EIS and 1080p at 30fps and 60fps with HDR, OIS, and EIS. Additional features include an LED flash, slow-motion video at 240fps, time-lapse, digital zoom, dual camera support, digital and optical image stabilization, autofocus, and various other modes. The ultrawide lens also supports 4cm macro photography.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2) is equipped with a 4700mAh Li-Ion battery. It supports 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The battery is non-removable.

Software

The device ships with Android 13 and is upgradable to Android 16.

Pricing

The Nothing Phone (2) is positioned in the medium price range. Prices vary based on configuration, with 12GB/256GB models ranging from approximately $564.45 to $744.17 and 12GB/512GB models ranging from roughly $634.50 to $651.02.

Overall Verdict

The Nothing Phone (2) offers a compelling package with its unique design, high-quality display, strong performance, and versatile camera system. Its transparent design and Glyph interface differentiate it from competitors. The inclusion of features like wireless charging and a capable Snapdragon chipset adds to its appeal. Although not the most affordable, it represents a solid option for users seeking a mid-range phone with a distinctive style and robust performance.