The Phone (2) is the second smartphone from Nothing and its first phone built for the US market. Nothing announced it on July 11, 2023, and US sales started on July 17, 2023. It launched at $599 for the 8 GB + 128 GB version. In Europe, it started at €649. The phone sat in the upper segment, just below the main flagships of 2023. Nothing no longer sells it. The phone is sold out in its official stores and gone from the lineup.
Design and display
The Phone (2) keeps the transparent back of its predecessor. Under the glass sits an updated Glyph Interface with more LED segments. The lights can show notifications, timers and progress from some apps, such as Uber. Both sides use Gorilla Glass 5, and the frame is aluminum.
The body measures 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm and weighs 201.2 g. It has an IP54 rating, so it handles splashes but not swimming. The 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel runs at 2412 x 1080 pixels and 394 ppi. Its refresh rate changes between 1 and 120 Hz. Nothing quotes 1,600 nits peak brightness and HDR10+ support.
Performance
Inside is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 with the Adreno 730 GPU. This was a high-end Qualcomm chip from 2022. It came with 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM. Storage options were 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. There is no microSD slot. Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC and 5G are included. The USB-C port runs at USB 2.0 speed.
Cameras
There are two 50 MP cameras on the back. The main camera uses a 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX890 sensor with an f/1.88 lens and OIS. The ultrawide uses a Samsung JN1 sensor with a 114-degree view and autofocus. It can also focus at 4 cm for close-ups. There is no telephoto camera.
Both rear cameras record 4K video at up to 60 fps. The 32 MP front camera records at up to 1080p and 60 fps.
Battery and charging
The battery holds 4,700 mAh, up from 4,500 mAh in the Phone (1). Wired charging reaches 45 W, and Qi wireless charging reaches 15 W. The phone can also charge other devices wirelessly at 5 W. A charger is not in the box, only a USB-C cable.
Software and updates
The Phone (2) shipped with Android 13 and Nothing OS 2.0. The interface adds custom widgets, a monochrome icon theme and the Glyph Composer for light ringtones. Nothing promised three years of Android upgrades. It also promised four years of security patches, delivered every two months.
Should you buy the Nothing Phone (2)?
The Phone (2) is no longer produced, and its official stores show it as sold out. Its successor is the Nothing Phone (3). New units can still appear at resellers. The Phone (2) suits buyers who want a fast 2023 chip, wireless charging and the Glyph lights. Keep in mind the IP54 rating and the missing telephoto camera.
