Highlights
- Nothing Phone (2) will launch in late 2023.
- Carl Pei said the company is looking at the US as a priority market.
- Nothing Phone (2) will be more premium than the Phone (1).
- Nothing Phone (2) launch date has not been set yet but the brand is reportedly eyeing a late 2023 release for the device in the US.
Nothing Phone (2) Launch
Nothing CEO and co-founder Carl Pei has confirmed to Inverse that the company will make a significant push into the U.S. with its next flagship Android phone, the Phone (2), launching later this year. “We decided to make the U.S. our No. 1 priority in terms of markets,” Pei says.
“We couldn’t do it earlier because we were only in our second year and our hands were tied building the team as we were building the products. Now as we’re on a more solid footing, we can take a step forward.”
The important thing to know about Nothing is that it’s not just a company creating new gadgets.
When you buy into the brand and its eye-catching transparent product designs, you’re going on a journey with the company.
It’s a bit like building a ship as it sails across the sea. Supporting Nothing is risky because there’s no guarantee that things will pan out.
Any number of unforeseen circumstances could crop up along the way. You have to be okay with the company starting from scratch, and patient as it builds teams at every level.
Even with a veteran like Pei, who co-founded OnePlus and helped grow it into a global brand and powerhouse, that means understanding that Nothing is still figuring stuff out as it goes.
In several conversations over the past year, Pei has explained why Nothing had to build toward the Phone (1) with wireless earbuds first, and why they couldn’t just launch the phone in U.S.
It really comes down to the numbers and logistics. For a startup, the Ear (1) was in many ways a test to gauge demand.
“We did almost 10x the revenue last year [in 2022 globally] compared to [2021], Pei says. “We did more than $200 million USD last year; the first year we did something like $24 million USD. We’re growing quite quickly. We shipped over a million products already.”
The astronomical growth in revenue and unit sales in regions with less red tape to launch products has provided two important things for Nothing.
One: Proof that there’s demand for its products. And two: The volume has given the company more leverage with component suppliers and production factories that previously refused to work with them in the early days.
When you make a smartphone for the U.S. you need to work with the carriers on certification and adapting some of their features into your OS,” Pei says. “We didn’t have the resources for that before and now we do.”
The keyword here is resources.
Pei adds that the company doubled in size last year, growing from 200 people in 2021 to 400 today.
More people means more brains to work on stuff like carrier certification, quality assurance, marketing, retail logistics, etc. It’s basic Business 101.
“We’re really excited about the U.S. market because it’s a big country. If you look at our earbuds sales, about one-third comes from the U.S. And by not launching our phone in the U.S., we’re leaving potentially a third of the volume on the table.”
Is it any surprise that Nothing’s next Android phone will be called the Phone (2)? While Pei confirmed the smartphone name and its launch “later this year” he didn’t share Any information on what the device would look like.
Nothing Phone (2) launch reportedly in the works, will be “more premium” than Phone (1)
“We’re developing a smartphone that’s more premium than the Nothing Phone (1) and software will be a big focus area for us,” Pei says.
I tell him that “more premium” sure sounds like a smartphone that competes with the iPhone Pros and Samsung Galaxy Ultras and pixel pros.
Expected specs like Qualcomm’s top-of-the-Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset opposed to the mid range one in the Phone (1). I draw parallels between the Phone (2), a premium phone that could potentially undercut the competition on price, and past OnePlus phones that offered flagship specs without the flagship pricing.
I think the market and the industry have moved a lot since those days.
For us, the Phone (1)’s spec sheet was pretty usable in terms of user experience,” Pei says. “Mobile chipsets have really improved over the last 7–9 years.
That’s why I want to avoid calling the Phone (2) a flagship because that would mean that the Phone (1) was not a flagship.
Within our own portfolio of smartphones, the Phone (1) was very much a flagship in terms of the amount of care we put into the product.
That’s why I used the word ‘premium’ [to describe the Phone (2)] instead, which signifies that it’s a more premium step up, but it’s still a flagship just like the Phone (1).”
Nothing Phone (2) Design
It’ll likely build on the transparent industrial design established by the Phone (1) and the rest of Nothing’s product lineup.
I’d also bet that the Glyph Interface the customizable LED system on the backside of the Phone (1) — makes a return on the Phone (2), this time perhaps with an API that’ll allow third-party developers to configure for it.
Nothing Phone (2) Software & Hardware
Distinct hardware remains core to Nothing’s identity, but the company is also investing heavily in software for the Phone (2).
“When we started Phone (1) we only had about five engineers on the mobile team so a lot of the work had to be done by other companies,” Pei says about the outsourced Nothing OS Software.
He added that the team is close to 100 people on software, and they have brought in a lot of people that he used to work with before in his past life.”
He says he’s “confident” that the beefed-up software team can create a “really fast and smooth experience based on Android now, which aligns with what I look for in software.” Hmm, where have I heard fast & smooth before? Android 13 beta “completely made in-house” Pei says. “People really feel like the Android 13 beta that we released is a step up from the previous Nothing OS that was half in-house and half outsourced.”
Now that Pei has confirmed that the Nothing Phone (2) launch is officially in the pipeline, we should hear more about the phone’s design and specifications in the coming months.
We should also get a better idea about the company’s plans to launch the device in India.
Nothing Phone (2) Key Specifications
Key Specs
| RAM |
8 GB |
| Processor |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 |
| Rear Camera |
50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP |
| Front Camera |
32 MP |
| Battery |
4700 mAh |
| Display |
6.67 inches (16.94 cm) |
General
| Launch Date |
February 15, 2023 (Unofficial) |
| Operating System |
Android v13 |
Performance
| Chipset |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 |
| CPU |
Octa core (3.2 GHz, Single core, Cortex X2 + 250 MHz, Tri core, Cortex A710 + 2 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A510) |
| Architecture |
64 bit |
| Fabrication |
4 nm |
| Graphics |
Adreno 730 |
| RAM |
8 GB |
Display
| Display Type |
OLED |
| Screen Size |
6.67 inches (16.94 cm) |
| Resolution |
1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Pixel Density |
395 ppi |
| Bezel-less display |
Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen |
Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Refresh Rate |
120 Hz |
Camera
| MAIN CAMERA |
| Camera Setup |
Triple |
| Resolution |
50 MP, Primary Camera
50 MP
50 MP |
| Autofocus |
Yes |
| Flash |
Yes, LED Flash |
| Image Resolution |
8150 x 6150 Pixels |
| Settings |
Exposure compensation, ISO control |
| Shooting Modes |
Continuous Shooting
High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
| Camera Features |
Digital Zoom
Auto Flash
Face detection
Touch to focus |
| FRONT CAMERA |
| Camera Setup |
Single |
| Resolution |
32 MP, Primary Camera |
Battery
| Capacity |
4700 mAh |
| Type |
Li-Polymer |
| Removable |
No |
| Wireless Charging |
Yes |
| Quick Charging |
Yes, Fast, 66W |
| USB Type-C |
Yes |
Storage
| Internal Memory |
128 GB |
| Expandable Memory |
No |
Network & Connectivity
| SIM Slot(s) |
Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size |
SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
| Network Support |
5G Not Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE |
Yes |
| SIM 1 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3)
3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| SIM 2 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3)
3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| Wi-Fi |
Yes, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) |
| Wi-Fi Features |
Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth |
Yes, v5.2 |
| GPS |
Yes with A-GPS |
| NFC |
Yes |
| USB Connectivity |
Mass storage device, USB charging |
Multimedia
| Loudspeaker |
Yes |
| Audio Jack |
USB Type-C |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor |
Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position |
On-screen |
| Other Sensors |
Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
FAQ’s on Nothing Phone (2)
1) Nothing Phone 2: When will it launch?
Ans) Based on the single phone launch so far, there is a possibility that Nothing could make an announcement in July. The Phone 1 was originally launched in July 12, 2022 and despite Carl Pei suggesting no immediate launch plans, Nothing could possibly announce something by the mid or end of 2023.
2) Nothing Phone 2: What could it look like?
Ans) We expect the Nothing Phone 2 to retain the same transparent back design that we saw on the Phone 1. Nothing could refine the back pattern and may even alter the design of the Glyph lights. The phone could continue to ape the boxy design of the Apple iPhone 14, or it could copy the rumoured “curved edge” design expected on the iPhone 15.
3) Nothing Phone 2: What could be the specifications?
Ans) Nothing Phone 1 debuted with a healthy midrange specifications set and we expect the Phone 2 to make an upgrade. Carl Pei could follow the strategy of his previous brand OnePlus, and may launch the Phone 2 at a slightly higher price. Nothing could possibly use the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 platform for offering an increment in overall performance. The 120Hz OLED display could stay and the same could be said for the dual 50MP camera at the back. Nothing could also upgrade the charging speed to 45W, which is the supported maximum charging speed.
4) Nothing Phone 2: Expected prices in India ?
Ans) The Nothing Phone 1 launched at a starting price of Rs. 31999 and it is possible that Nothing could launch the Phone 2 with upgraded specifications at a slightly higher hiked price. Hence, we expect the Phone 2 to start at a price of approximately Rs. 40000.
5) Highlights of Nothing Phone(1)
Ans) Nothing Phone (1) launched globally in an online event on Nothing’s official YouTubechannel! Founder Carl Pei shared all the details about the Nothing Phone (1). Nothing Phone (1)’s FIRST Glymph Interface teased during the event. Carl Pei shared that Glymph lights are customisable based on different functions. From chargung status at the botton, LED light coil around the cameras, and sync interface based on ringtones, Glymph lights have a lot.
Nothing Phone (1) used Gorilla Glass 5 protection and the frame is made from recycled Aluminium frame to keep the smartphone light. It features 6.55-inch flexible OLED display with HDR10+ colours. It supports a 120Hz of refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate.
Nothing Phone (1) brings a dual camera setup at the back led by a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor coupled with an ultra-wide 50MP sensor from Samsung JN1 with 114-degree FOV.
Even the whole event of Nothing Phone shot on the Nothing Phone (1)!
Nothing Phone (1) is powered by the 6nm Snapdragon 778G+ chipset. Nothing Phone (1) packs a 4500mAh battery with the support of 33W wired charging, 15W of wireless charging, and a 5W of reverse wireless charging. Nothing Phone (1) launched in three storage variants of 8GB RAM + 128GB storage priced at 399 Pounds (Rs. 32,999). While, 256GB storage variant is priced at 449 Pounds (Rs. 35,999). There is another variant of 12GB RAM with 256GG storage priced at 499 Pounds (Rs. 38,999).
Also Read: Nothing Phone (1) at its Lowest Ever Price on Flipkart Big Savings Day Sale Offers
Also Read: Top 10 Premium Smartphones of 2022 !
Also Read: Nokia G60 5G vs Nothing Phone (1): Which Phone to Buy at Rs 30,000?
