7.5 Nothing Phone 2 Like
Flashy design
Powerful processor
Large, vibrant show
Attractive interface
Don’t like
Disappointing digicam efficiency
Needs to be cheaper to compete in opposition to rivals
The first Nothing Phone impressed us with its strong all-round efficiency, its low worth and naturally its flashing lights. But it by no means formally made it to the US, except for an uncommon beta program. This second-generation cellphone is right here to alter that. When it goes on sale within the United States and the broader world from July 16, the Nothing Phone 2 could have a spread of upgrades, from the processor to the design. But at $599 and £579 (with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage) it is $100 greater than the primary era, and the competitors at this worth level has by no means been extra fierce. Especially as my check mannequin with 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage really prices $699. Andrew Lanxon/CNETGoogle’s Pixel 7A specifically has a barely higher twin digicam, and its pure Android 13 software program is slick to make use of. The Pixel 7A’s processor is not as highly effective because the Nothing Phone 2’s, however the Google cellphone’s far more reasonably priced $449 price ticket greater than makes up for that. Then there’s the Pixel 7 Pro — Google’s flagship — which has among the best cameras it is attainable to seek out on a cellphone and is at the moment on sale (with 128GB of storage) for under $649 at Best Buy. If images is necessary to you, I’d advocate spending the small quantity additional. There’s additionally the OnePlus 10T, which boasts the identical highly effective Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor because the Nothing Phone 2, has an analogous digicam setup, and might at the moment be picked up instantly from OnePlus for under $400. Even the OnePlus 10 Pro with its very good digicam system is just $480. The Nothing Phone 2’s flashing LED lights are the primary factor that separates it from the competitors, and whereas they’re definitely an fascinating quirk, they’re arguably one thing of a gimmick and never a function I can see myself genuinely utilizing over time. The cellphone’s massive display screen, highly effective processor and respectable battery life are higher causes to think about shopping for this machine, however at $599, it is tough to justify the Nothing Phone 2 over the more and more robust competitors. Watch this: Nothing’s Sequel Gets a Lot Right
09:34 A well-known, flashy designVisually, there hasn’t been an enormous departure from the primary era. The again continues to be clear, letting you see slightly of what is contained in the cellphone, together with the uncovered screw heads and numerous connecting segments. The glass is gently curved on the edges now to offer it a barely extra premium really feel once you maintain it.But it is the flashing lights — or glyph, as Nothing calls it — that is the large household resemblance right here. Those LEDs gentle up the again of the cellphone and might warn you to incoming notifications. Or you need to use them for alarms, to point out battery cost standing, or just as fundamental fill gentle once you’re recording video. The Phone 2 gives a bit extra customization over the glyph this time round, letting you create customized gentle patterns for sure contacts or apps. There’s additionally a glyph timer that’ll regularly tick down because it reaches zero, and it may well additionally give a handy visible cue about different time-related issues, reminiscent of when your Uber goes to reach, so you’ll be able to put it down and give attention to finding out your hair whereas keeping track of its progress. Nothing says it will be working with different app builders to combine this performance. The glyph lights definitely made the unique cellphone stand out in opposition to the competitors, and although they’re arguably one thing of a gimmick, it is good to see a little bit of enjoyable and aptitude in telephones. Especially in midrange telephones like this, the place fascinating designs are likely to take extra of a again seat to maintain costs down. The glyph lights have turned heads when I’ve used the Nothing Phone in entrance of my buddies, however curiosity shortly fades as soon as the preliminary curiosity is glad. Can I genuinely see myself making use of the lights over time? Honestly, no. The fingerprint scanner on the Nothing Phone 2. Andrew Lanxon/CNETBut the glyph lights aren’t the one bodily issues to care about. The aluminum body is 100% recycled. There’s a fingerprint scanner hidden beneath the show, which works nicely more often than not. And the cellphone is IP54 rated to assist maintain it protected when it’s important to take calls within the rain. The 6.7-inch show is large and vibrant sufficient to do justice to vibrant video games or to YouTube movies you are watching whereas on the transfer, and its adaptive refresh price lets it drop all the way down to solely 1Hz to assist protect battery life or ramp as much as 120Hz for smoother gaming. Older chip with large potentialPowering the Nothing Phone 2 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor backed up by both 8GB or 12GB of RAM (as reviewed). That’s a barely older era processor, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a potent chip that may totally deal with most stuff you’d ever need to throw at it, from video streaming to photograph modifying to gaming. It chalked up some nice scores on our benchmark exams, and it dealt with demanding video games like PUBG and Genshin Impact completely nicely at max settings. Nothing Phone 2 efficiency comparability Nothing Phone 2 1,739 4,544 2,778Pixel 7A 1,439 3,560 1,855OnePlus 10T 1,405 3,812 2,773
Geekbench 6 (single core)
Geekbench 6 (multi-core)
3D Mark WildeLife Extreme
Note: Longer bars equal higher efficiency
Nothing says it used an older chip as a result of it wished one thing tried and examined that might supply a extra steady platform at a extra cheap worth, and I feel that is in all probability a good trade-off. Motorola’s foldable Razr Plus is doing the identical factor. It may not be the latest chip Qualcomm makes (that might be the 8 Gen 2), nevertheless it’s nonetheless one thing of a powerhouse that’ll deal with virtually something you’d ever need to do with it. The Phone 2 runs Android 13 at its core, however Nothing has completed so much to customise the interface. It’s a really monochrome expertise, with a heavy reliance on dot-matrix model texts and icons. There are quite a lot of widgets that use these designs, and even the app icons are black and white to maintain with that minimal monochrome aesthetic. That might make it fairly tough to seek out the apps you need in the event you depend on these shade cues, however you’ll be able to flip this off within the settings if you’d like.A function that I can see being fairly useful is creating folders of apps in your homescreen and hiding them behind an icon — I’m imagining filling this folder with my work-specific apps like Outlook, Zoom and Slack after which masking them up with the briefcase image so I haven’t got to have a look at them on my weekend. Lovely stuff. Nothing’s UI contains a whole lot of its personal model on app icons and widgets. Andrew Lanxon/CNETI do not usually like UIs that closely customise the look of Android, however there’s one thing fairly trendy concerning the design that Nothing makes use of on its telephones. If you are into that type of stark minimalism, you then’ll little question take pleasure in it. Nothing guarantees that the Phone 2 will obtain three years of OS updates and an extra fourth 12 months of safety updates. That’s slightly beneath the 5 years that Samsung presents on its telephones, nevertheless it might definitely be worse. Still, I’d hope to see all producers extending their help interval as much as and past 5 years to maintain telephones protected to make use of for longer and due to this fact maintain extra of them out of landfills. Same cameras, higher processingThe again of the cellphone is dwelling to a 50-megapixel primary digicam and a 50-megapixel ultrawide digicam. Hardware-wise, that is just about the identical setup we noticed on the Nothing Phone 1. But the improved Snapdragon processor permits for lots higher software program processing, with Nothing promising improved colours, publicity and higher HDR methods that can assist you take nicer-looking photographs. I’ve spent a while testing the digicam, and I’m happy to see vibrant, sharp pictures that look higher than those I noticed from the primary era cellphone. Still, it is not good, with some vibrant skies nonetheless being blown out within the highlights and a heavy-handed sharpening that leads to odd picture anomalies. Against the cheaper Pixel 7A, I usually choose the photographs from the Pixel. Nothing Phone 2, primary digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Pixel 7A, primary digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe Nothing Phone 2’s colours are OK on this instance, however there are noticeable patches within the white clouds the place it has overexposed the picture, leading to blown-out particulars. And that is regardless of the buildings themselves trying darker. The Pixel 7A’s HDR abilities have resulted in a a lot nicer-looking picture general right here. Nothing Phone 2, ultrawide lens. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Pixel 7A, ultrawide lens. Andrew Lanxon/CNETSwitching to the ultrawide lenses on each telephones, the story is far the identical, with the Nothing Phone 2 managing to once more overexpose sections of the sky whereas underexposing the buildings subsequent to the river. The Pixel 7A’s shot is far more balanced. Nothing Phone 2, 2x digital zoom. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Pixel 7A, 2x digital zoom. Andrew Lanxon/CNETNeither cellphone has a devoted telephoto zoom lens, however each supply 2x digital zoom modes, utilizing cropping and picture sharpening to get nearer to your topic. I usually choose the general look of the picture from the Nothing Phone 2, however although the fantastic particulars are sharper, the software program sharpening has brought on some points. Nothing Phone 2, 2x digital, 200% crop. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Pixel 7A, 2x zoom, 200% crop. Andrew Lanxon/CNETZooming in to 200% on the 2x zoom pictures, it is clear that the Nothing Phone 2’s shot seems usually sharper. However, look the place I’ve circled in pink — on the Pixel 7A the vertical slats are clearly rendered, whereas the Nothing Phone 2’s heavy-handed processing has turned this right into a bizarre spiral mess. So whereas it is artificially added extra element in some areas, it is critically lowered it in others. At full display screen you could by no means discover this, nevertheless it’s price protecting in thoughts, particularly in the event you usually digitally crop into pictures later. Nothing Phone 2, primary digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Nothing Phone 2, primary digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Nothing Phone 2, primary digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Nothing Phone 2, primary digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNETOther pictures from the Nothing Phone 2 are usually vibrant and vibrant, albeit with that overexposure drawback usually noticeable. Nothing Phone 2, selfie digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Pixel 7A, selfie digicam. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIgnoring the default mirroring on the Nothing Phone 2, each telephones have taken usually well-exposed, sharp photographs right here. I choose the white steadiness and richer yellow of my jacket within the Pixel’s shot, nevertheless it’s an in depth name. Overall, although, I feel the Pixel 7A takes the higher pictures, which is spectacular contemplating it is fairly a bit cheaper than the Nothing Phone. If images is necessary to you, then you must take into account trying towards Google — both the 7A or splashing a bit extra on the 7 Pro.Decent battery lifePowering every little thing is a 4,700-mAh battery that with cheap use ought to get you thru a full day. It put in an honest effort on our rundown exams, dropping to 91% after two hours of YouTube streaming on full brightness. For reference, the Pixel 7A dropped to 90% after two hours, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy A54 dropped to 87%. As with all telephones, your precise outcomes will come all the way down to how a lot you employ your machine. Hammer it with video streaming and demanding gaming all morning and you will want to offer it a lift within the afternoon. Most of you’ll in all probability simply get away with giving it a full cost once you fall asleep every night time. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIt helps 45-watt quick charging, which Nothing says will take it from empty to full in 55 minutes. That’s respectable sufficient, although it is a methods behind the 80- or 100-watt charging we have seen on different telephones exterior the US. At this worth, although, I am unable to argue an excessive amount of. It has 15-watt wi-fi charging too, in addition to reverse wi-fi charging if you wish to use your cellphone’s battery to energy up your headphones, or one other cellphone solely.Is the Nothing Phone 2 cellphone to purchase? The Nothing Phone 2’s flashy LEDs definitely make a press release, and each its processor efficiency and battery life are robust. But the additional $100 Nothing desires over its predecessor has modified the sport. It’s gone from being an reasonably priced finances choice to fairly an expensive midranger, whereas the competitors has been getting stronger. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe Pixel 7A is arguably its greatest rival, and personally, it is the cellphone I’d go for over the Nothing Phone 2. Its processor is not as highly effective, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless deal with virtually all of your each day wants, and its digicam is best. Plus it is quite a bit cheaper. I’d additionally take into account the OnePlus 10T over the Nothing Phone — it did not impress me at its full worth at launch, however its present $400 worth makes it a worthy choice. If you like the concept of these flashing lights making your cellphone stand out from the group, then the Nothing Phone 2 is definitely price contemplating. It’s cellphone, it is nearly $100 too costly proper now. If you’ll be able to decide it up with a little bit of a reduction after the launch pleasure has dwindled slightly, then that’d be use of your cash. But at full worth, you will really want to like these lights to justify the spend. How we check phonesEvery cellphone examined by CNET’s evaluations group was really utilized in the actual world. We check a cellphone’s options, play video games and take pictures. We study the show to see if it is vibrant, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark, together with our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and taking part in graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.All the cameras are examined in quite a lot of circumstances, from vibrant daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like night time mode and portrait mode and examine our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally try the battery life through the use of a tool each day in addition to operating a collection of battery drain exams.We take into consideration further options like help for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus help, quick charging speeds and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. And we steadiness all of this in opposition to the worth, to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter its worth is, really represents good worth.Nothing Phone 2 specs comparability chart Nothing Phone 2Pixel 7AGalaxy A54 5G Display measurement, decision, refresh price 6.7-inch OLED; 2,412×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60/90Hz 6.4-inch Super AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 120HzPixel density 394 ppi361 ppi403 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.38 x 3.00 x 0.33 in6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 inDimensions (millimeters) 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm152.4 x 72.9 x 9.0 mm158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 201g (7.09 oz)193g (6.81 oz)202g (7.13 oz) Mobile software program Android 13Android 13Android 13Digital camera 50-megapixel primary. 50-megapixel ultrawide64-megapixel primary, 4K at 6fps. 13-megapixel ultrawide, 4K at 30fps50-megapixel vast, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macroFront-facing digicam 32-megapixel13-megapixel, 4K@30fps32-megapixel Video seize 4K at 60fps4K4KProcessor Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1Tensor G2Exynos 1380RAM, storage 8GB + 128GB. 12GB + 256GB8GB + 128GB6GB + 128GB. 8GB + 256GB Expandable storage NoNoMicro SDXCBattery, charger 4,700 mAh; 45W wired charging4,385 mAh; 18W quick charging, 7.5W wi-fi charging5,000 mAh; 25W wired chargingFingerprint sensor In-displaySideIn-displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneSpecial options 5G-enabled, IP54 water resistance, flashing rear lights5G (5G sub6 / mmWave ), IP67 rating5G (mmw/Sub6), IP67 ratingPrice off-contract (USD) $599$499 / $549 (mmW)$449 (6GB/128GB) at launchPrice (GBP) £579£449£449 (6GB/128GB) at launchPrice (AUD) AU$1,120 convertedAU$749AU$649 (6GB/128GB) at launch