The Nothing Phone 2: An Understated Powerhouse

 

An Impressive Phone with a Simple Name

In the grand tradition of British understatement, Nothing, a London-based company, has followed up its first phone, the Phone 1, with the similarly understated Phone 2. It's a bit like calling the Beatles a "decent band". But don't let the name fool you. This phone is anything but ordinary. After spending a few days with the phone 2 at Heyup HQ, we wanted to share our firsthand experience with you. Take a look at all our thoughts below.

Specifications

• Body: 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6mm, 201g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass), glass back, aluminum frame; Multiple LED lights on the back (notifications, charging progress, camera fill light), Blinking red light on the back (video recording indicator), IP54 - splash and dust resistant.
• Display: 6.7" LTPO OLED, 1B colors, dynamic 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1,600 nits (peak), 1080x2412px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 394ppi; Always On Display.
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 5G (4 nm): Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510); Adreno 730.
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
• OS/Software: Android 13, Nothing OS 2.0.
• Rear Camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF.
• Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (ultra-wide).
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR; Front camera: 1080p@30fps, EIS.
• Battery: 4700mAh; 45W wired, PD3.0, QC4, PPS, 100% in 55 min (advertised), 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 6; BT 5.3; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.

A Designer Dress at a Thrift Store Price

Priced at a modest $599, the Phone 2 offers some serious top-tier specs for a mid-range price. It's like finding a designer dress at a thrift store, only this time, you don't have to worry about the mysterious stains.

Unique Design: Serious on the Front, Party in the Back

2023 is the year that the mullet hairstyle returned to barbershops across the globe. Perhaps taking inspiration from this iconic haircut, the Phone 2's design is a refreshing departure from the usual metal and glass slabs we've come to expect.

From the front, it's all business, with a bright, smooth 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1600 NITS. But turn it around, and it's a party in the back, with LEDs that can light up in complex patterns. One strip can be used as a visual countdown timer, another shows charge status, and there is even the ability to show progress for activities in third-party apps. 

Powerful Performance

The Phone 2's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is faster than Google’s Pixel 7 and 80% faster than the Phone 1. The battery life is solid, lasting a good 40 hours between charges with its 4700mAh battery and 33W fast charging. It's like the Energizer Bunny of phones, it just keeps going and going. 

 

 

Improved Camera

The Phone 2's camera setup is similar to the Phone 1, with two 50-megapixel cameras on the back and a 32MP selfie camera in the screen. The images are generally improved over the Phone 1, but like a bad Tinder date, they lack sharpness and detail when viewed up close. The camera sensor has been upgraded from Sony IMX766 to Sony IMX890, with the biggest difference being the software.

Minimalist Software with Fun Features

The Phone 2's software, Nothing OS 2.0, is an interesting mix of clutter-free software with some fun quirks. It works like any other with gesture navigation, Google Feed, and other standard Android bits. But Nothing has added options to make folders of apps bigger, with one-tap access to some of the apps within them. There are four folder designs to choose from, including one with just a cover picture of an emoji. You can have standard small folders too, but the large almost widget-like folders are surprisingly fun and useful. 

You can also put any of the quick settings that are usually in the notification shade as different-sized widgets on the home or lock screen, which is equally useful. The phone also has a theme that turns everything monochrome, including most third-party apps, with a few red color accents here and there.

Unique Packaging but no plug 

The Phone 2 comes in a unique box design that can easily slot into a bookshelf. It includes the Phone 2, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and instruction booklets. However, it does not include a plug. The phone also features dual speakers for decent sound and an improved Glyph system with 11 LEDs and 33 lighting zones controllable by software. The Glyphs now include app support, such as showing how close your Uber ride is.

 

 

Sustainability and repairability. 

The battery of the Phone 2 maintains at least 80% of its original capacity for at least 1,000 full charge cycles. The Phone 1 is generally repairable in the UK, and the battery can be replaced for about £28 plus labor and shipping by Nothing. Additionally, the device is made of recycled aluminum, copper, plastic, steel, tin, and other materials accounting for 20% of the phone's weight. It has a carbon footprint of 53.45kg CO2 equivalent. The company also publishes sustainability reports.

 

Verdict: A Pleasant Surprise in the Smartphone Market

In conclusion, the Phone 2 is a bit like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get, but it's always a pleasant surprise. It's a solid choice for those who want a phone that has some seriously unique features without sacrificing usability. It’s definitely a solid update on its predecessor, the Phone 1, with a more premium feel, a faster chip, and solid battery life. 

For this price ($599/£579) you really can’t complain. The device is exceptionally well-built, boasting a minimalist yet comprehensive user interface. Its smooth performance, seamless app switching, and browsing capabilities leave no room for envy when compared to the other 8 Gen 2 devices. .

So there you go Heyuppers, your full review of the Nothing Phone 2. And, as always we'd love to hear your thoughts. After immersing yourself in our review of the extraordinary Nothing Phone 2, are you left yearning to experience it for yourself? If the answer is a resounding yes, simply make your voice heard on our vibrant community page. By doing so, you could be among the fortunate few chosen to enjoy the captivating Nothing Phone 2, completely free of charge.