Nothing Phone (2)

Being a smartphone startup is hard, particularly when you're up against tech giants like Apple, Google and Samsung. But after selling more than 500,000 Phone 1s last year, Nothing has returned with a sequel: the Phone 2. And while it looks similar to...

Good looks can only get you so far. That’s where I see the Nothing Phone (2) — a striking slate that upends the norm by flaunting a transparent design paired with glowing lights. Nothing’s approach in making its smartphone a device to be reckoned with...

There are perceptions that the Phone (2) maker, Nothing, is a plucky upstart that pulled the first Nothing Phone (1) out of thin air with blood, sweat, and tears, and that might be true to a degree. After all, Nothing is only in its third year, it's...

It’s easy to tell if the Nothing Phone 2 is for you. Look at it. Does it call to you? Does it spark your interest and seem to fix smartphone problems that have been bugging you forever? If so, go buy one, because it’s exactly what it seems, nothing more and nothing less. The Nothing Phone 2 is a stylized Android phone with some simple, yet effective design additions. It isn’t a revolutionary concept, but it’s cool enough to be different, and powerful enough to recommend.

Nothing Phone (2) is a polished handset with some cool ideas, but Android lovers still have better options on the table.

The Phone 2’s whole deal would be a little tiresome if the device itself wasn’t good. That’s not the case. This is a thoroughly good midrange phone, and it’s trying to do something a little different. I appreciate that. I just don’t think it’s for me — but maybe I’m a lost cause. At the very least, I appreciate having Nothing officially on the scene in the US, even if the Phone 2 isn’t quite my vibe.

The Nothing Phone (2) is an affordable flagship that ticks all the right boxes. It brings a ton of fun and personality to the traditional smartphone form factor without sacrificing performance or value. The hardware is polished and refined, the software is clean and responsive, and the Glyph Interface is more useful than ever – even if it’s still just icing on the proverbial cake. At $599, you just can’t go wrong.

The Nothing Phone 2's flashy LEDs certainly make a statement, and both its processor performance and battery life are strong. But the extra $100 Nothing wants over its predecessor has changed the game. It's gone from being an affordable budget option to quite a pricey midranger, while the competition has been getting stronger.