Hands-On With the New Transparent Nothing Phone (2)

[MacRumors]

Nothing today announced the launch of the Nothing Phone (2), the second-generation followup to the original Nothing Phone that came out last year. Like the Nothing Phone, the 6.7-inch Nothing Phone (2) features a unique transparent design with LED highlights that Nothing calls a Glyph Interface.

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There are additional LED segments in the Glyph for improved customizability, with light and sound sequences able to be assigned to contacts or used for ringtones. The LEDs are also able to function as a progress tracker for ride or delivery services, plus they can alert users to notifications. Design wise, the Phone (2) has a thinner midframe and a pillowed glass back that Nothing says makes it more ergonomic.

The Phone (2) runs the Android-based Nothing OS, and the new version can be used in a monochrome colorway with no app labels. Key features can be accessed through widgets without the need to open an app, and the operating system supports custom grid designs, widget sizes, and color themes.

As for the camera, the Phone (2) includes a 32-megapixel front-facing camera and a dual rear camera system with two 50-megapixel sensors. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and it is equipped with a 4700mAh battery.

The Nothing Phone (2) is launching in the United States as well as other countries, and this marks the first time that a Nothing device has been available in the U.S. It can be preordered in the United States, UK, and Europe today, with pricing starting at $599 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

General availability will begin on July 17, and U.S. customers in New York can attend an event on July 13 to be among the first in the world to purchase the Phone (2).

Article Link: Hands-On With the New Transparent Nothing Phone (2)

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don’t see the value.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Nothing to see here...

Apparently, the Nothing phone carries Nothing.

 

[JosephAW]

That's a big nothing

My next phone when Apple goes out of business

 

[Mr. Dee]

Can't we just come to terms with the fact this is a two horse race: Samsung vs iPhone?

 

[routine_analyst]

If they closed the back of that phone it would look pretty similar to the iPhone. WTF

 

[stellaclose]

I don't get it. I have to keep my phone upside down to see notification indicators, and then turn it over to read the notifications. And what if I want to put my phone in a case like most people do....

 

[msackey]

Looks to me to be a design that tickles one's imagination of what futuristic looks like but ultimately is without much substance and will come to pass as relatively insignificant and added not much value other than, like junk food, tickle some fancy for a while.

 

[sunapple]

They obviously are experts at establishing brand. I like the aesthetic and the rounded glass back is a nice addition. Otherwise I feel like price is the biggest strength or weakness and the lights aren't going to change people's minds.

 

[the future]

So this silly thing is what it looks like when you have to try to find a niche within the android rat race.

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

Is the "Nothing Phone" a Nothing Burger?

 

[Shifts]

I love their effort and see no reason to be snarky. Go for it Nothing gang!

 

[robbietop]

This is by far one of the better looking Android handsets. The LEDs on the back are a bit gimmicky. But I really like the look. Simple aesthetic, not at all flashy like the Pixel or trying too hard like the Galaxy

 

[Pinkyyy 💜🍎]

Am I the only one who always felt like the two rear cameras design of this phone looks very similar to the one on iPhone 11/12 ? I don't know it just kinda looks like an iPhone at first glance to me 😂

It's a nice phone for the price in my opinion though, but the LED stuff on the back is just kinda meh.. especially if you'll be using a case, which I assume most people do.

 

[rjjacobson]

This is by far one of the better looking Android handsets. The LEDs on the back are a bit gimmicky. But I really like the look. Simple aesthetic, not at all flashy like the Pixel or trying too hard like the Galaxy

Yeah my feelings (not jumping from iphone anytime but if I were this might be fun and more like the iphone experience than gettting a samsung I agree)

 

[robbietop]

Yeah my feelings (not jumping from iphone anytime but if I were this might be fun and more like the iphone experience than gettting a samsung I agree)

The design does exactly what Jony said design should do....make you forget you're using it. Design should not distract you from the use case. A smart phone should be all about the screen, and less about the chassis.

 

[boswald]

Even though I’m happy with my iPhone, I applaud Nothing for trying something new. Best wishes to them.

 

[patent10021]

If a new phone (iPhone 15 included), doesn't address PWM, don't bother announcing it. Just release it, update the website and be done with it.

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

I like it. Not leaving iOS/Mac ecosystem any time in the foreseeable future, but if I were then this would be on my list. Shamelessly aping the iPhone while adding it's own flare; I'm glad these guys are out here doing their thing.

 

[Bawstun]

The most gimmicky thing about the device is the name. It is going to hold it back the same way “Mini” held back the iPhone model. Words matter, nobody wants “nothing,” it’s a psychological thing.

 

[Apple$]

Starts at $929 in Canada.

 

[Ctrlos]

It’s sad to see the usual ‘Android is trash’ comments from people who have never clearly tried an Android phone in the last 5 years. The Nothing 1 was a terrific value device at £400 and did everything you would want at that price point.

To answer people’s questions: use a clear case. Oh and you don’t use your phone as an upturned coaster on your fabric sofa arm? What’s wrong with you?

 

[BarrettF77]

This is Dan with "Nothing Rumors"..... So confused as to why we are showing off an android device on a Mac site.... Neat looking sure. Anything this group is going to consider, probably not.

Slow day at MacRumors....

 

[Pinkyyy 💜🍎]

It’s sad to see the usual ‘Android is trash’ comments from people who have never clearly tried an Android phone in the last 5 years. The Nothing 1 was a terrific value device at £400 and did everything you would want at that price point.

To answer people’s questions: use a clear case. Oh and you don’t use your phone as an upturned coaster on your fabric sofa arm? What’s wrong with you?

I'm literally a lifetime Android user until I switched to iPhone recently, so no, I'm not saying that the phone is bad. I'm just not really a big fan of the LED thingy on the back. It's just another niche feature in my opinion, like who really needs that ?

The phone itself is very good for the price point in my opinion though, and the design in general is pretty simple and nice.

 

[KOTN91]

A juvenile and silly phone with a poor operating system