July 26, 2023, 4:01 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The Nothing Phone 2 brings several improvements compared to its predecessor smartphone. TECHBOOK has already tested the device.
With the Nothing Phone 2, the London-based company aims to make the leap from the mid-range to the flagship segment. The strategy of the predecessor is being continued, and the distinctive Glyph interface is further developed, including an improved carbon footprint. The device also brings some hardware upgrades but costs noticeably more than the predecessor, Phone 1. TECHBOOK took a close look at the smartphone.
Technical Specifications of the Nothing Phone 2
The motto of the Nothing Phone 2 is: a little more of everything. The device features more LEDs on the back, an improved camera, and a faster chip. The OLED display is slightly larger at 6.7 inches (2412 x 1080 pixels) compared to the predecessor’s 6.55 inches. With an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, the smartphone is also suitable for gaming sessions. Thanks to LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide), an energy-saving rate of 1 Hz is also possible.
In terms of design, nothing has fundamentally changed. Nothing once again opts for a transparent glass design with a tactile aluminum frame. However, the edges of the glass back are now rounded, making the device more comfortable to hold. The Nothing Phone 2 is IP54 rated for protection against splashes, rainwater, and dust.
Inside, Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8+ chip is now used–though it’s the Gen 1 version from last year. There is already a more powerful successor with Gen 2. However, the chip is a significant improvement, as the Phone 1 from 2022 still had the mid-range Snapdragon 778G+ chip. The battery capacity has also slightly improved to 4700 mAh. The charging speed, in particular, has been noticeably enhanced to 45 watts.
The Nothing OS 2 operating system is based on Android 13 and appears much more mature and detailed than Nothing OS 1. New is that users can choose the customized monochrome-look interface or the more colorful standard Android interface directly during setup. Additionally, Nothing guarantees three years of Android updates and four years of security updates.
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Minimalistic but Powerful Camera
Unlike other high-end smartphones, Nothing remains true to its camera design with the Phone 2, offering “only” a dual camera on the back. Both the main and ultra-wide-angle sensors have a resolution of 50 megapixels, just like the predecessor, and the size remains unchanged. However, a newer Sony sensor is used in the main camera, capturing more light and thus improving image quality. According to Nothing founder Carl Pei, the company has mainly worked on the software. The camera now triggers significantly faster, and image processing runs more smoothly. The front camera offers 32 MP and takes detailed selfies.
The video technology in the Nothing Phone 2 has made a bigger leap. In addition to the appealing Full HD night mode, you can now record videos in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (FPS), and slow-motion shots are possible at up to 480 FPS.
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Nothing Phone 2 Offers Significantly Improved Glyph Interface
The Glyph interface was already an important element in the Phone 1 to stand out from the competition. LEDs on the back of the smartphone are used for various information. The Nothing Phone 2 features even more lights than its predecessor, with a total of eleven LEDs and 33 zones. You can display the volume, current battery level, or a progress bar–such as for a timer or food delivery–on the back of the device. The red video light is also new, letting those being filmed know when recording starts.
With the so-called Glyph Composer, users can also customize the interface even more. You can create your own notifications and combine them with sounds or even create a completely unique ringtone. Developers of external apps also have access to the interface to integrate it with their applications’ functions.
The relatively good environmental compatibility remains an important component in Nothing’s strategy: According to the manufacturer, the Phone 2 will emit only 53.45 kg of CO2 over its entire lifespan. For comparison, Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is at 65 kg.
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Availability and Price of the Nothing Phone 2
The Nothing Phone 2 is available in storage sizes of 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. The two models with slightly smaller storage are already available for pre-order and are expected to go on sale on July 21, 2023. The colors available are dark gray and white.
The 128 GB variant will cost 649 euros, while the 256 GB device will be 699 euros. The 512 GB version costs 799 euros. The package also includes a USB-C to USB-C cable without an adapter.