hose who benefit from the concept of a gadget that feels not less than just a little distinctive shall be naturally drawn in the direction of Nothing. In spite of everything, this can be a London-based tech firm (which is uncommon in itself) that has overtly said its need to deliver just a little enjoyable again into what it calls the boring world of shopper electronics.
Few merchandise embody this sentiment greater than Android handsets, which all too usually really feel like a hotchpotch of me-too elements desperately trying to find some extent of distinction.
Nothing boldly thrust itself into this ultra-competitive area final 12 months with its extremely revolutionary Cellphone (1) handset — and this week sees the launch of its successor, the Nothing Cellphone (2), reviewed right here.
In contrast to its anodyne rivals, Nothing handsets are totally distinctive. Each of its telephones have clear backs, with LED strips shining by means of, which Nothing calls Glyphs. Extra on these in a second.
Nothing Cellphone (2): key specs
- Show: 6.7 inch OLED (2,412 x 1,080), 120Hz
- Dimensions: 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm
- Entrance digital camera: 32MP (f/2.5)
- Rear digital camera: 50MP primary (f/1.9), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
- Weight: 201g
- Battery and charging: 4,700mAh (wi-fi charging and reverse wi-fi charging)
- Reminiscence and storage: 8GB /12GB RAM
- Processor: Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Value: £579 (8GB RAM, 256GB storage); £629 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage); £699 (12GB RAM, 512GB storage)
The clear again panel of every handset additionally reveals the form of the circuitry that lies beneath and the central round sample mimics the wireless-charging panel inside. That is, no doubt, an intriguing look and Nothing doubles-down on the visible kerb enchantment with a high-design method that encompasses all the pieces — from the general calibre of its industrial engineering proper by means of to the branding, which is alleged to symbolize a classic dot-matrix printer.
The model has already acquired cult standing amongst a sure sort of gadget fan and much more spectacular is the agency’s aspiration to deliver all of this to the celebration on a frugal price range. The unique Cellphone (1) was priced from simply £399 and, regardless that the Cellphone (2) ups the ante considerably, with a beginning price of £579, Nothing guarantees that it retains the identical DNA of sensational worth alongside engineering kudos.
So the actual query is whether or not the brand new handset justifies the hype? Let’s discover out.
Feel and look
The monochrome Nothing OS
/ David PhelanThe Nothing Cellphone (2) retains the same design method to its forebear, with a flat-screen and cliff-edge sides. Don’t inform the legal professionals however, should you look shortly, it seems virtually like an iPhone. A minimum of, till you flip it over and absorb that rear panel.
What’s new this 12 months is a pillowed, contoured again that feels tremendous snug within the hand — final 12 months’s was flat. This can be a huge change and works nicely.
The construct high quality of the Nothing Cellphone (2) is just glorious, with no flex of the aluminium body or Gorilla Glass display once you try and bend it. Compared to most equally priced handsets, that is next-level engineering.
The show is a contact greater this time round, at 6.7 inches, which is similar because the iPhone 14 Professional Max, though this telephone feels simpler to carry as a result of it’s narrower. The contoured again additionally helps with this, too. Even so, it’s nonetheless value attempting it in your hand earlier than shopping for, because it is perhaps a stretch for these with smaller mitts.
The show has a fingerprint sensor embedded within the display, proper on the backside, whereas face-unlock works by means of the selfie digital camera. Each work nicely, and are quick and responsive. And there are some considerate notes, just like the display protector which is provided and in place already. A pleasant contact.
Flip the Nothing Cellphone (2) over and the lights flash
/ David PhelanNothing has overlaid the usual Android software program with a chic visible pores and skin. It retains these cool dot-matrix results, from the selection of system fonts to the climate icons. What’s new is a higher emphasis on monochrome. You’ll be able to assemble your whole dwelling display with black-and-white icons, save for the bright-red second-hand on the analogue clock and Google brand within the search bar. The thought is you’ll be much less drawn into utilizing your telephone an excessive amount of once you see brilliant colors calling you.
That’s additionally the idea behind the Glyphs. Nothing says it needs you to make use of your telephone much less usually however extra judiciously. So, you possibly can set the LEDs to flash when a name is available in, and select a particular sample so you understand if it’s your important different.
You’ll be able to even create your individual visible ringtones with the most recent Nothing Cellphone software program. And there are different new makes use of for the Glyphs. Set a timer and one of many LEDs will dial down from displaying the total strip alight to zero. The identical may even be used to time how lengthy it is going to take your Uber driver to succeed in you — albeit that is at the moment listed as an experimental characteristic. These Glyphs do really feel like a little bit of a novelty regardless that their sensible functions are rising. And the best way the lights offer you a confirming flash once you, say, flip the telephone face-down is neat and an excellent dialog starter. Nonetheless a gimmick, then, nevertheless it stays an excellent one.
Efficiency
Nice mild stability in low-light shot
/ David PhelanOne of many causes for the uptick in worth in comparison with the Nothing Cellphone (1) is the advance in elements and this contains the processor. You get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 onboard now and, whereas it isn’t the very newest obtainable, it was routinely present in flagship telephones till pretty lately. It stays greater than as much as the job and is definitely quite a bit quicker than the unique Nothing handset.
As such, the Cellphone (2) is speedy and efficient, by no means conserving you ready whether or not you’re enjoying video games or watching video, for example, each of which look clean. That’s partly as a result of fast-refresh show which may routinely adapt to save lots of battery life relying on what you’re looking at. For example, it goes from a snail-like 1Hz on static content material, resembling an electronic mail, say, proper as much as 120Hz for stutter-free scrolling by means of menus and lists. The characteristic adjusts itself within the background and it really works very nicely. It’s removed from distinctive to Nothing — and but a pleasure to seek out on a telephone at this worth.
Battery life is robust, too, lasting simply a full day, although nightly recharges are probably. This 12 months’s telephone has an even bigger cell and so that is no shock. Whereas the standard juice-draining suspects have been responsible right here (resembling GPS, for example), on the idea of a number of days’ testing, there was at all times not less than 30 per cent battery left on the finish of every day. Reverse wireless-charging can also be right here. It’s slower however efficient and a helpful asset. Broadly talking, there may be little if something to complain about right here.
Nothing Cellphone (2): Photograph and video
The statue of Laurence Olivier exterior the Nationwide Theatre: sturdy element shut up and distance
/ David PhelanThe cameras on a smartphone are a deal-breaker for many gadget followers and, whereas final 12 months’s snappers have been tremendous, there’s been a marked enchancment right here. That is very true on the principle digital camera, which has an improved Sony sensor. Each the ultrawide and primary ones now have 50MP decision, so it’s no shock that photographs are detailed.
Low mild is the enemy of telephone cameras and but the outcomes have been extraordinarily good, even in sepulchral situations. The Nothing Cellphone (2) routinely delivers pictures which might be sharp, even at night time, with little trade-off when it comes to how lengthy you needed to maintain the telephone nonetheless. In late-night outside photographs within the metropolis, low mild was rendered nicely, although brighter lights may simply blow out the main points.
Portrait shot: Sharp on canine hair, with blurred hydrangeas
/ David PhelanThe front-facing digital camera got here in for some stick final time round, so it’s nice to see this has been upgraded from 16MP to 32MP, with noticeably higher outcomes. Common daylight and indoor photographs present the telephone’s capabilities nicely. The brand new primary digital camera even has AI scene detection. This could imply that it’ll expose in another way for a cat than a human, for example. In follow, the photographs greater than maintain their very own with rival digital camera telephones, and noticeably higher than these from its predecessor.
The Nothing Cellphone (2) is definitely on par with the Samsung A Sequence right here, albeit considerably outgunned by a handset that really excels at images, such because the Google Pixel 7 Professional. However, ultimately, how a lot does digital camera high quality actually matter to you?
Verdict
Head-turning seems, rock-solid efficiency, and easily sensational worth.
The upgrades and refinements on this handset simply justify the additional cash. Certainly, it’s arduous to imagine that the Nothing Cellphone (2) is out there at this worth and, if it feels an excessive amount of, the unique Cellphone (1) mannequin remains to be obtainable.
A few of the modifications are refined — for example, the higher use of Glyphs, newly enhanced Nothing OS, and sultry pillowed again. Others are huge leaps ahead, such because the considerably higher cameras.
The design is actually distinctive to Nothing and plenty of enjoyable. This can be a sturdy telephone at a eager worth.
Supply hyperlink
