The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A uniquely designed phone that stands out but offers performance suitable for everyday use.What's good
- Stylish design
- Capable processor
- Affordable price
- Wireless charging
- Unique notifications
What's bad
- Cameras underperform
- Prone to slipping
- Not water resistant
- Limited glyph use
- Durability concerns
Design
The Nothing Phone 2's design features a translucent back panel and unique light strips known as glyph lights. These lights offer visual notifications and serve practical functions, like indicating charging status.
The phone has a rounded glass back, making it feel substantial and premium in hand. Experts from TechRadar noted, 'The Nothing Phone 2 is a stylized Android phone with some simple, yet effective design additions.'
While the design is visually appealing, the curved back makes it prone to slipping off surfaces. As reviewers from Future mentioned, 'The rounded design made it prone to sliding off the table.'
Display(s)
The screen on this phone uses LTPO technology to adjust the refresh rate. This means it saves battery life by slowing down when you don't need high speed, but it can go up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling. The display is plenty bright as well, brighter than competitors in this price range.
Experts from TechRadar noted, "I had no trouble shooting photos on the display in bright sunlight or reading directions on a hiking map." The OLED screen provides deep blacks and vivid colors, making everything look more dramatic and engaging.
Performance
The Nothing Phone 2 comes with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which is more than enough for all your daily needs. It handles apps, games, and multitasking with ease and smoothness. You can expect a fluid experience, whether browsing, streaming, or working.
Reviewers at TechRadar highlight that it performs "very well," ensuring a fast and reliable experience. The Phone 2’s interface and visual elements run smoothly and respond quickly to touch inputs.
If you need a phone that offers a good balance of power and efficiency, this one provides that.
Software & Storage
The Nothing Phone 2 uses a unique and clean interface with monochrome icons that reduce distractions. This simple design ensures you focus on what matters.
Reviewers like TechRadar noted, 'Nothing's monochrome interface works,' making the phone easy to navigate.
Despite its sleek appearance, the interface lacks full integration with its glyph lights, which can be less practical.
Cameras
The cameras on this phone aren't the best for low-light photography. You'll find there is a pronounced loss in detail and considerable noise in dim conditions. However, during the day, you will appreciate the vibrant colors and lively images that the cameras can capture.
Reviewers noticed significant issues with dynamic range, making it hard to get balanced shots that highlight both light and dark areas effectively. Engadget stated, "In low light, the camera really struggles with detail and noise."
Despite these shortcomings, for daytime photography, the cameras deliver enjoyable, vivid shots that might require little to no editing before sharing.
Battery
You'll enjoy more than a day of battery life with moderate use, thanks to the phone's efficient battery management. This can be a relief if you worry about midday shutdowns. Reviewers from Digital Trends appreciated this consistency.
The phone also supports 45W fast charging. Anker verified it can charge to 100% in just under an hour. This quick turnaround allows you to spend less time plugged in and more time using your phone.
Additionally, the inclusion of wireless charging offers another convenient charging option, ensuring you stay powered up and ready for your day.
Audio
When making calls, the Nothing Phone (2) provides clear and sharp audio. Experts have mentioned, 'Calls sounded crisp and clear, making conversations easy to follow even in noisier environments.'
For entertainment, the phone's speakers deliver strong, immersive sound. Reviewers noted that 'the dual speakers produce rich audio, enhancing the experience of watching videos or playing games.' This means you can enjoy your favorite content without needing additional audio gear.
A consistent audio experience across various applications ensures that both calls and multimedia activities are enjoyable and hassle-free. Whether you’re streaming a movie or chatting with friends, you’ll get high-quality sound.
The Bottom Line
This phone appeals to those who value style and want their device to look different from the usual options.
It sports unique features like Glyph lights, which add a fun touch but may not always be practical.
While the camera is not the strongest point, the phone delivers solid performance for general tasks.
A good option if you want a phone that looks cool and handles daily tasks well.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Trevor Long, EFTMOutstanding value, unique design, ease of use, great performance, great camera - why look elsewhere?
- Antonio Villas-Boas, Business InsiderFor the $600 starting price, it's hard to do better — the Nothing Phone 2 is a stunning deal for a high-end device with a large 6.7-inch display, and its singular design and customization options set it apart from any other Android device in the US. The Nothing Phone 2's older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 pr…
- Palash Volvoikar, KnowTechieThe Nothing Phone (2) cements the company as a serious phonemaker, and with the phone now available in the US, it's one of the best mid-range phones you can buy. You get a solid balance of great hardware and software, and the Glyph lights, while a novelty gimmick, add some personality to the phone, …
- Connor Christie, Pocket TacticsThe Nothing Phone (2) is a solid and stylish flagship from an Android newcomer, easily rivaling other mid-range devices in terms of battery life, performance, and user experience. It isn’t perfect, though, with a disappointing water resistance rating, middling cameras, and an occasionally frustratin…
- Miguel Guachi, Root NationThe Nothing Phone 2 is a one-of-a-kind phone that will definitely set you apart from the crowd. Its minimalist yet futuristic design with LED backlighting is a set of elements that no one can ignore and will surely catch someone's eye. It also features a high-performance processor, long-lasting batt…
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Nothing Phone (2) prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front.
Nothing's suggested retail price is $599.00. You can compare Phone (2) prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nothing Phone (2) user manual here.
Nothing backs up the Phone (2) with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Phone (2) has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nothing support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nothing's contact information here.
If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop.
You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
Community Q&A
Real experiences from actual users
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Nothing Phone (2) Manual (PDF)
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