The highly anticipated Nothing Phone 2 has been unveiled, and after weeks of anticipation, it’s time to determine if the hype surrounding it was justified. The predecessor, Nothing Phone 1, made a strong debut as a first offering from a new company and succeeded in various aspects, especially in terms of pricing. As a result, the Phone 2 has significant expectations to meet. While our comprehensive review is currently underway, here are our initial impressions of the device.
The Nothing Phone 2 is packaged in a slim box, similar to its predecessor, but now features a proper box that slides out from the outer printed jacket. Inside, you’ll find documentation, a transparent SIM eject tool, and a new USB Type-C cable with a transparent section near the connector, adding a touch of flair. The Phone 2 is available in a new Dark Grey color option, in addition to the existing white variant.
Nothing has introduced the Phone 2 in three different configurations. The base variant, priced at Rs. 44,999 in India, offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For Rs. 49,999, you can opt for the variant with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. A new third variant is now available, featuring 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, priced at Rs. 54,999 in India. While the prices are higher compared to the launch pricing of the Phone 1, the Phone 2 brings notable upgrades to justify the increase.
Design takes a prominent role for Nothing, arguably more so than specifications. The Phone 2 builds upon the original semi-transparent design with subtle enhancements. At first glance, it may be challenging to distinguish between the two models, but the differences become apparent once you hold them side by side. The Nothing Phone 2 is larger than its predecessor, noticeably taller and slightly wider, as well as heavier and thicker. However, it retains an excellent feel in the hand, and Nothing emphasizes that the mid-frame is constructed from 100 percent recycled aluminum, showcasing their commitment to sustainability.
The Nothing Phone 2 retains a flat display but introduces a centered hole-punch camera. The screen measures 6.7 inches and features an updated LTPO OLED panel, allowing for variable refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz as required. The peak brightness has been enhanced, now reaching up to 1,600 nits. Additionally, the Phone 2 boasts improved water resistance with an IP54 rating, a slight improvement over the IP53 rating of its predecessor.
The Nothing Phone 2 has received hardware upgrades as well. Instead of the mid-range chipset in the Phone 1, Nothing has opted for the more premium Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. Although it may not be the latest and greatest, it is a tried and tested chipset that is expected to perform well in its segment. The battery capacity has been slightly increased to 4,700mAh, and the Phone 2 now supports 45W PD fast charging. It continues to feature 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging.
In terms of camera improvements, the Phone 2 retains its dual rear camera setup but upgrades the main sensor to a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor, which has been used in recent smartphones like the OnePlus 11R and OnePlus Nord 3. The ultra-wide camera utilizes the same 50-megapixel Samsung JN1 sensor as the Phone 1, but it now includes autofocus for macro photography. The selfie camera has also been upgraded to a 32-megapixel Sony IMX615 sensor. As camera testing is underway, the full review will provide comprehensive insights into the camera performance.