Design and Build Quality
The standout feature of the Nothing Phone 2 is its transparent back panel, showcasing the internal components—a hallmark of the brand’s design philosophy. The Glyph Interface, composed of LED light strips on the back, serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. These lights can act as visual notifications, charging indicators, or even enhance the gaming experience. While some critics view the Glyph as a novelty, it undeniably sets the phone apart in a crowded market.
The build quality is premium, with Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides and an aluminum frame, ensuring durability without sacrificing elegance.
Display
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations. With HDR10+ support and a peak brightness of 1600 nits, the screen excels in both indoor and outdoor environments. Whether you’re streaming videos or playing games, the Nothing Phone 2 offers an immersive viewing experience.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM, the Nothing Phone 2 handles demanding tasks with ease. Benchmarks place its performance slightly below the latest flagship processors, but it excels in real-world usage, including multitasking and gaming. For most users, the performance gap compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is negligible.
However, some reviews note that the device can heat up during intensive tasks, which might affect sustained performance.
Cameras
The dual-camera system features two 50MP sensors: a main camera and an ultra-wide camera. Under good lighting, the Nothing Phone 2 captures sharp, detailed images with accurate colors. The Night Mode, while functional, struggles in extremely low-light scenarios, leaving room for improvement compared to flagship competitors.
The front-facing 32MP camera delivers solid selfies with natural skin tones, but the edge detection in portrait mode could use fine-tuning.
Battery
With its 4,700mAh battery, the Nothing Phone 2 comfortably lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use. The phone supports 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wireless charging, offering flexibility in how you recharge.
Software
The phone runs on Nothing OS 2.0, which offers a minimalist and streamlined Android experience. The monochromatic theme and absence of bloatware create a clean, distraction-free interface. Additionally, the software is well-optimized, ensuring smooth performance even during multitasking.
However, some users have reported occasional bugs, which Nothing has been quick to address through software updates.
Pros and Cons
✅ Striking design: Transparent back and Glyph Interface set it apart from competitors.
✅ Vivid display: AMOLED with 120Hz and HDR10+ support ensures smooth, colorful visuals.
✅ Solid performance: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 delivers fast, reliable processing power.
✅ Clean software experience: Nothing OS 2.0 is sleek and distraction-free.
✅ Great battery life: All-day use with fast and wireless charging options.
✅ Competitive price: At €529, it undercuts many flagship competitors.
❌ Camera performance in low light: Falls short of flagship competitors in night photography.
❌ Occasional heating: Can get warm during intensive tasks.
❌ Glyph Interface’s utility: Might feel like a novelty for some users.
Final Thoughts
The Nothing Phone 2 stands out as a breath of fresh air in a sea of similar-looking smartphones. While it may not dethrone the best flagships, it offers a well-rounded package for those who value unique design and dependable performance. If you’re looking for a smartphone that’s as much a statement piece as it is a capable device, the Nothing Phone 2 is worth considering.
Price Range
Around € 529.
