Nothing Phone (2) initial review: Something fun, something new

Last 12 months’s Nothing Phone (1) was a spectacle of a tool. Nothing CEO and founder Carl Pei is a hype man, if nothing else, and his new firm’s first gadget was definitely distinctive, however it had its flaws. Chief amongst them had been some points with the {hardware} and software program that simply wasn’t as full-featured as telephones from corporations like Google, Samsung, and Apple.This 12 months, Nothing is leaning into the enjoyable issue with the Nothing Phone (2), a cellphone that definitely appears to be like like a “Nothing Phone” full with the lighted glyph interface on the again. The {hardware} has been refined, with a barely taller construct, a curved glass again, and a sooner processor. But the true enchancment is within the software program.From the second you flip it on, you possibly can inform this factor was designed to offer a sure look and expertise from the get-go. The monochrome dot matrix look is all over the place, from the preliminary setup to each widget and app Nothing makes. It’s extremely fashionable, and Nothing even launched a number of new distinctive options which can be simply plain enjoyable, however is it sufficient to benefit the worth improve over the Nothing Phone (1)?Why preliminary overview?I’ve had the Nothing Phone (2) for over two weeks now however have not had the prospect to actually dig my claws into its internal workings. Among the numerous causes, the largest was that I could not use the cellphone for greater than 5 minutes at a time with out my head hurting, due to a stunning little factor referred to as PWM illness.The Nothing Phone (2)’s OLED show makes use of a low-frequency flicker charge, and my eyes simply do not take care of it. Thankfully, I obtained a brand new pair of glasses on Monday this week that make it potential to make use of the cellphone full time, giving me a handful of full days’ utilization to carry you some preliminary overview ideas.I’ll be publishing a full detailed overview in a couple of week, however till then, this must be sufficient info that will help you determine whether or not to order a Nothing Phone (2) or not.Nothing Phone (2): Price and availability(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Nothing Phone (2)’s launch marks the primary time Nothing is formally providing a cellphone in North America. That means you may get full 5G speeds with full community help on AT&T and T-Mobile. It’s not formally suitable with Verizon.The Nothing Phone (2) is on the market in each white and darkish grey colorways beginning at $ 599 USD / $929 CAD for a mannequin with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Upgrades can be found with 12GB of RAM, beginning at $699 USD / $999 for 256GB of storage and $799 USD / $1,099 CAD for 512GB storage.You can preorder the cellphone from Nothing’s web site as of July 11, and open gross sales start on July 17. Folks residing in Manhattan can cease by one of many pop-up kiosks the corporate is placing collectively from July 13 onward, together with a $50 low cost for anybody in a position to buy the cellphone on the kiosk.Swipe to scroll horizontallyNothing Phone (2) specsCategoryNothing Phone (2)Display6.7-inch 120Hz OLED (LTPO), 2142 x 1080 (394 PPI), 1,600 nits peak brightness, Gorilla GlassChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1Memory8GB or 12GBStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GBRear Camera 1 (essential)50MP, Sony IMX890, ƒ/1.88, 1.0μm, 1/1.56-inch sensor measurement, OIS and EISRear Camera 2 (ultrawide and macro)50MP, Samsung JN1 sensor, ƒ/2.2, 0.64μm, 1/2.76-inch sensor measurement, 114-degree FoV, EISFront Camera32MP, ƒ/2.45, 1/2.7-inch sensor sizeVideo resolutionMax 4k/60FPS on rear cameras, 1080p/60FPS on entrance cameraBattery4,700mAhCharging45W wired quick charging, 15W wi-fi charging, 5W reverse wi-fi chargingPorts and SIMUSB Type-C, Dual SIMAudioStereo audio system, 3 microphones with noise suppressionWirelessBluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, 5G Sub-6SecurityIn-display fingerprint sensorWeight201.2 gramsDimensions76.4mm broad x 162.1mm tall x 8.6mm thinWater and dirt resistanceIP54ColorsWhite, Dark GreySoftware replace promise3 years of Android updates, 4 years of safety updates each 2 monthsIn the field, you may discover the cellphone, a brand new USB-C cable with clear connectors, the identical snazzy clear SIM ejector instrument from the primary cellphone, and a handful of small pamphlets. The packaging is totally plastic-free, and Nothing even prints the cellphone’s carbon footprint on the field.Nothing was in a position to cut back the carbon footprint of the cellphone through the use of much less plastic and extra recycled supplies. The Nothing Phone (2)’s carbon footprint is 53.45 KG CO2E, a full 5.05 KG CO2E decrease than Nothing Phone (1). SGS certifies this ranking, so you realize it is authentic and never one thing solely Nothing’s advertising crew got here up with.Nothing Phone (2): Prime design(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Everything concerning the unboxing course of for this cellphone is gorgeous. As with final 12 months’s Phone (1), the Nothing Phone (2) comes packaged in a field that has no openings apart from a small pull tab on the prime. Like a gum bundle, you may use this tab to tear the field open and slide the cellphone packaging out.The firm is headed by large names within the design trade, and you’ll inform Nothing takes design significantly simply from the field alone. A brand new USB-C cable with clear connectors is included and continues to stream together with Nothing’s clear design mantra, present in merchandise just like the Nothing Ear (2).Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)There’s no denying that Nothing remains to be styling its cellphone equally to an iPhone in each means, full with the fake “deconstructed” Apple brand on the again in lighted glyphs. But that does not imply it is only a copycat.The curved glass again makes the cellphone really feel a lot nicer to carry. As my colleague Andrew Myrick put it, “This is how I want the iPhone to feel like when I pick it up.”The body is product of 100% recycled aluminum and, mixed with the curved again, feels elegant and premium. Not everybody will benefit from the flat sides, however the argument between flat and curved sides is extra of a desire, anyway.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The again of the Nothing Phone (2) is totally hanging and instantly recognizable. While there’s little practical goal behind the clear design, the corporate’s lighted Glyph Interface has confirmed to be a boon for setting the cellphone aside in additional methods than simply appears to be like.Those LED lights on the again of the cellphone have been upgraded and now have extra performance. Phone (2) has 11 LED strips on the again, and every strip is made up of 33 particular person zones — up from 12 on Phone (1). Nothing says it designed the Glyphs so customers might be “more present in their everyday lives.”The Glyphs have been improved with 33 particular person zones and the power to create extra customized ringtones and notifications.The concept is that you just’d put your cellphone face-down on a desk and, as a substitute of studying particular person notifications as they arrive in, the Glyph interface can be utilized to filter out the noise so solely necessary notifications come via.Think of the Glyphs a bit like a Do Not Disturb mode, as you possibly can choose which apps show Glyph lights and customise the sample for every app. Furthermore, some apps allow you to even dial down into particular person notification varieties or conversations. So in case your important different messages you, the lighting sample might be completely different than if another person is attempting to get your consideration.Most days ended with over 50% battery left, and the cellphone’s efficiency isn’t any slouch.There’s even a cool new Glyph Composer that permits you to make your personal ringtones, full with lighted Glyphs and customized sounds by EDM group Swedish House Mafia.While the Phone (2) sports activities final 12 months’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, there was by no means a time after I felt like efficiency is missing. As Nothing says, the 8+ Gen 1 is a “proven processor” that is each environment friendly and quick, guaranteeing gaming on the cellphone is easy, each day duties occur with out hitching or lagging and, but, the cellphone nonetheless sips from the 4,700mAh battery.I by no means had a day the place I even thought-about what the battery life is perhaps, not to mention wanted to prime the cellphone up. Most days ended with over 50% battery left, which is at all times a great signal.The Nothing Phone (2) helps 45W PPS wired charging, so a full cost takes lower than an hour, and topping up 50% occurs in 25 minutes. Plus, it is obtained 15W Qi wi-fi charging and 5W reverse wi-fi charging for added comfort.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The design is attractive and stylish feeling, however it’s additionally extremely slippery.But being all glass and aluminum means this cellphone is heckin’ slippery. I haven’t got one, however the official Nothing Phone (2) case is a must-buy for anybody anxious about dropping the cellphone.I am unable to inform you the variety of instances over the previous few weeks that the cellphone has dropped itself on the ground after I simply positioned it on a desk or a sofa. This is each when the cellphone is face down or again down, and it made me nervous to place it on any easy floor.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)And, as I mentioned within the intro, this is not a cellphone that is nice for folk delicate to PWM show flicker. I used to be initially in a position to make use of it for an hour or two, however the feeling of eye fatigue and illness that is so outstanding with low-frequency PWM dimming on AMOLED shows finally set in, and I could not use the cellphone for greater than 5 minutes at a time with out feeling terrible.What’s unusual is that, identical to the Vivo X Fold2, the charts right here do not look unhealthy in any respect. Modulation depth is ok, however I do not know what the PWM charge is. My Opple Light Master IV gentle meter says it is 123Hz, however I do know that is flawed — no shopper show goes that low — and I’ve seen this nonsense studying earlier than on loads of different telephones that use completely different PWM frequencies.Display flickering illness is a horrible factor to take care of, and, to make issues worse, it is extremely sophisticated to diagnose precisely what makes somebody sick. Some of us who’re delicate is perhaps OK with this cellphone above 75% brightness, given the modulation charge is mostly low. As for me, I am unable to use this cellphone with out glasses that right for astigmatism at any brightness stage with out feeling terrible.Nothing Phone (2): Superfluous enjoyable, severe enchancment(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)As a baby of the 80s and 90s, I’ve a keenness for retro-chic design. Clearly, so do the designers at Nothing. Every app and widget Nothing designed for this cellphone matches completely into this design, and it is so refreshing to see one thing so well-honed and executed make its means right into a shopper product, particularly one which’s solely a second-generation product.There’s one thing calming concerning the Nothing Phone (2)’s house display screen that I simply cannot fairly put my finger on. Maybe it is the totally grayscale coloration palette or the bevy of lovely, round widgets and folders? Either means, I really like the best way this house display screen appears to be like and that feeling channels itself into different apps and settings menus all through the expertise.In brief, that is what the expertise on Phone (1) ought to have felt like, and Nothing OS 2.0 is proving to be a considerable improve in each means potential.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Little issues like the fast toggles menu — which retains the outsized Wi-Fi and Bluetooth buttons of the unique launch — aren’t simply cool wanting. They’re additionally extremely practical.Those Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles dynamically change and might be swiped on, and Nothing even added a fast Bluetooth connection pop-up that is just like Android’s Internet Panel. Why this is not obtainable in inventory Android is past my understanding, it is simply so darn helpful!And the cameras have been considerably improved over the unique Nothing Phone (1). This is not only a “better” digicam, although. It’s a genuinely wonderful one which has shocked me each single time I take advantage of it. Shots are crisp and clear, dynamic vary is great, colours are pure, and portrait mode cutouts and bokeh are out of this world good.Image 1 of 7(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)It additionally shoots extremely nice-looking video, far eclipsing the standard of similarly-priced telephones just like the Pixel 7. Plus, Nothing really made a cellphone that may seize motion in footage. Google perfected this ages in the past, however corporations like Samsung nonetheless have hassle capturing shifting objects — like youngsters and pets — on very costly telephones just like the Galaxy S23 Ultra.I’ll want a bit extra time with it to completely decide — plus evaluate it to different telephones on this worth vary — however, for now, I’m extraordinarily proud of what’s right here. Check the samples above taken from the Nothing Phone (2) to see what I imply.Nothing Phone (2): Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The hardest half about recommending a brand new cellphone is not often primarily based on the cellphone itself; it is primarily based on the cellphone’s competitors. But, at $599, this cellphone does not have an excessive amount of precise competitors. The Google Pixel 7 retails for a similar worth and features a higher IP-rating for water and dirt resistance, plus a further 12 months of software program and safety updates.But, past that, I believe you possibly can decide and select which options are extra necessary to you. The Nothing Phone (2) appears to seize higher high quality video, whereas the Pixel 7 captures higher pictures. Google has loads of nice Pixel-exclusive options, however Nothing has the model issue going for it, together with that nifty Glyph interface on the again.Plus, the Nothing Phone (2)’s efficiency and battery life are considerably higher than what’s provided on the Pixel 7. All in all, I’d positively advocate it, even at full worth.