Review of Nothing Phone (2): Many new LED effects, subtle design refinements, powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip

On the evening of July 11 (Vietnam time), Nothing unveiled Nothing Phone (2) with minor improvements in design and performance compared to its predecessor, Nothing Phone (1). So what's new with Nothing Phone (2)? How is the performance of Nothing Phone (2)? How long does Nothing Phone (2) battery last? Is Nothing Phone (2) camera capable of taking beautiful photos? Let's dive into the review of Nothing Phone (2) to learn more about this phone!

Note: This article references images and content from the GSMArena website and the YouTube channel Joshua Chang.

See also: Hands-on with Nothing Phone (2): Slight design changes, more interesting LED lights

Nothing Phone (2) features subtle design refinements, numerous new LED effects

Overall, Nothing Phone (2) retains the exterior inherited entirely from the first Nothing Phone, still sporting a transparent back design with unique LED strips underneath. However, the device has been slightly refined to accentuate its own style. Firstly, in terms of the frame, Nothing Phone (2) is still equipped with a square-cut frame made of aluminum alloy, providing a comfortable and snug grip as noted by YouTuber Joshua Chang.

Additionally, Nothing Phone (2) uses transparent glass material for the back, allowing the device to easily showcase various LED effects. However, the downside is that it is prone to fingerprints and scratches during use. Therefore, it's advisable to invest in a protective case to keep the device looking pristine!

When it comes to the distinctive LED strips, we can see that Nothing Phone (2) has more breaks compared to Nothing Phone (1), meaning the device has more LED strips with 33 strips across the back instead of just 12 strips on the first-generation Nothing Phone.

Specifically, the LED strip in the camera area, instead of being a single strip, has been divided into 2 sections on Nothing Phone (2). This change also applies to the central strip, which is divided into 6 sections instead of one, while the two strips at the charging port and top right corner remain unchanged. These minor changes not only differentiate Nothing Phone (2) from its predecessor but also make it more versatile as the company has focused on adding more effects in the accompanying custom software.

One of the standout effects that Nothing Phone (2) possesses is the volume level notification, where adjusting the volume up/down will accurately display the LED strip located on the right side of the central area. Additionally, the device offers the Glyph Timer feature (a timer, customizable in the Glyph Interface app) allowing you to set timers like other phones but visually displayed through the LED strip at the back. This enables you to track the countdown time even when the screen is face down on a table.

Turning to the front, Nothing Phone (2) features a hole-punch display housing the selfie camera in the center instead of placing it in the corner like its predecessor. This not only makes the device look more balanced but also mitigates display issues such as screen streaks, dead pixels, etc., which were present in the first-generation Nothing Phone.

In terms of display specifications, Nothing Phone (2) sees significant improvement by adopting a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and utilizing LTPO technology to deliver sharp, vibrant visuals while consuming less power. Additionally, the device supports a 120 Hz refresh rate to ensure smoother motion when browsing the web or playing games.

Nothing Phone (2) user-friendly with intuitive Nothing OS 2.0 interface

In addition to the notable enhancements in Nothing Phone (2), the manufacturer introduces users to the new Nothing OS 2.0 operating system version. Essentially, this software is designed based on the prototype of the Android 13 native operating system, while also integrating some unique features that Nothing has reserved for its Nothing Phone (2) device.

According to GSMArena's review, the Nothing OS 2.0 operating system on Nothing Phone (2) features an intuitive and familiar interface with elements such as the launcher, Settings app, and most pre-installed apps resembling those found on Google's Pixel phones. However, utility apps like the clock, weather, quick settings, calendar, etc., have been customized in terms of font style and design to match the style of the Nothing Phone product line.

Additionally, Nothing OS 2.0 supports the Always-on-Display feature, allowing Nothing Phone (2) to display basic information such as the date, time, and schedule for convenient tracking without consuming excessive power. In terms of functionality, this feature on Nothing Phone (2) can blur the wallpaper and display a monochrome clock and widgets on the lock screen, similar to how Apple's iPhone 14 product line operates.

Thanks to the versatility of the Glyph Interface app integrated into Nothing OS 2.0 and the LED strip on the back of Nothing Phone (2), third-party app developers can customize their apps more deeply to fully utilize their functionality. For example, when booking a ride with the Uber app, Nothing Phone (2) allows users to conveniently track the progress of their trip through the LED strips without having to lift their phones.

Furthermore, the Nothing OS 2.0 operating system provides features such as composing ringtones and customizing the operation of the LED strip through the Glyph Interface app. This allows users to freely personalize their Nothing Phone (2) according to their preferences, if they do not wish to use the default features of the device.

Powerful Configuration of Nothing Phone (2) with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Let's quickly summarize the specifications of Nothing Phone (2) for everyone's reference!

• Display: 6.7-inch size, LTPO AMOLED panel, Full HD+ resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate.
• CPU: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
• RAM: 8 GB or 12 GB.
• Internal Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB.
• Rear Cameras: Main 50 MP + Ultra-wide 50 MP.
• Selfie Camera: 32 MP.
• Battery: 4,700 mAh, supports 45 W fast charging.

Learn more: Exploring Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and many other powerful processors from Qualcomm

In terms of specifications, Nothing Phone (2) is an impressive upgrade as it is equipped with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 - one of Qualcomm's most powerful chips at the moment. This is an upgrade in terms of performance and thermal efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, featuring an octa-core processor and Adreno 730 GPU, providing Nothing Phone (2) with powerful performance to handle daily tasks or advanced entertainment seamlessly.

Additionally, Nothing Phone (2) is equipped with 8 GB of RAM (up to 12 GB), making multitasking or playing heavy games more efficient on the device, reducing instances of lag or app reloads. Moreover, Nothing Phone (2) features internal storage capacity starting from 128 GB (with higher variants of 256 GB and 512 GB), providing users with ample space to store their personal data.

To understand more about the performance that Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides for Nothing Phone (2), the author of the article on GSMArena conducted some tests using software such as Geekbench 5 and Antutu v10. You can refer to specific results below.

- Geekbench 5 (single-core/multi-core): 1,240 points/3,957 points.

- Antutu v10: 972,126 points.

Additionally, the author also used CPU Throttle software to measure the stability of Nothing Phone (2)'s performance. After about an hour of heavy usage, the device's performance remains relatively stable at around 70 - 80%. Moreover, operating at high intensity causes Nothing Phone (2) to warm up slightly but does not significantly affect the user experience.

Similar to the first generation Nothing Phone, Nothing Phone (2) still features a 4,700 mAh battery, combined with optimizations in power consumption from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and Nothing OS 2.0, allowing users to use the device for about a full day depending on usage. Additionally, Nothing Phone (2) also integrates fast charging with 45W (wired) and 15W (wireless) power, enabling the device to be fully charged within 55 minutes (as claimed by the manufacturer).

Nothing Phone (2) dual 50 MP cameras capture sharp images

Nothing Phone (2) is a comprehensive upgrade in terms of performance, features, and hardware. Therefore, the camera system is also improved to provide a better user experience with specific lens specifications as follows:

• Main Camera: 50 MP resolution, f/1.9 aperture, 24 mm focal length, PDAF support, OIS stabilization.
• Ultra-wide Camera: 50 MP resolution, f/2.2 aperture, 114-degree field of view, AF support.
• Selfie Camera: 32 MP resolution, f/2.5 aperture.

In Nothing Phone (2), the manufacturer has used Sony's IMX890 image sensor (main camera) combined with Samsung JN1 sensor (ultra-wide camera) with excellent image processing performance, which has been highly praised by many reviewers. Let's take a look at the photos taken by Nothing Phone (2) below.

How much does Nothing Phone (2) cost?

According to Nothing's announcement, Nothing Phone (2) is priced from $599 in the international market for the base configuration (8 GB RAM, 128 GB internal storage). This price is justified by the improvements that Nothing Phone (2) offers, and it also makes it easier for users to access the device for exciting and optimal experiences.

What are your thoughts on Nothing Phone (2)? Leave your comments below for me and everyone else to know! Thank you for your interest and for following my article. Also, you can explore many other official Android smartphones at Mytour with attractive offers. Click the button below to discover now!

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Learn more: Nothing Phone (3) What's New: Snap 8 Gen 3, 64MP Camera, Priced at 12.3 million VND