Sleek and Stylish Nothing Phone 2 Has Upgraded 50MP Cameras
Nothing launched its debut smartphone last year, the Nothing Phone 1, to significant interest. Nothing is back with the Nothing Phone 2, and while some of the radicalness of the original Nothing Phone has worn off, the Phone 2 is no less impressive.
Ahead of today’s unveiling, Nothing’s marketing campaign revealed many key details about the Phone 2’s stunning design. Last week, Marques Brownlee offered an exclusive first look at the Nothing Phone 2, showing off the updated glyph interface and trademark transparent case. While there is no dramatic departure in design or appearance, the Phone 2’s glyph features 33 individually controllable LED pieces, whereas its predecessor had just a dozen. The largest LED can show progress with more precision, including a volume level indicator, a glyph timer, and third-party support.
Like the Nothing Phone 1, the Nothing Phone 2 can show charging progress using its exclamation point white LED at the bottom, near the USB-C port. Speaking of charging, the Phone 2 ships with a transparent USB cable, which is a nice touch.
Ahead of Nothing Phone 1’s launch, Nothing’s founder, Carl Pei, who co-founded OnePlus in 2013, teased the smartphone’s camera performance with unfiltered images. Pei has taken the same approach with Phone 2, encouraging reviewers with the Nothing Phone 2 ahead of today’s launch to share photos straight from the Phone 2.
The Phone (2) camera is turning out to be pretty good. Other brands use pro photographers or even pretend DSLR photos are shot on phones.
To keep things real, I encourage everyone testing the Phone (2) to share unfiltered images right now.
I'll go first. 📸 #NothingPhone2 pic.twitter.com/cEUQaFlkPq
— Carl Pei (@getpeid) July 3, 2023
The image quality looks quite promising, and the Phone 2 channels Pei’s former time at OnePlus, sporting the same optically stabilized 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 main camera sensor as the OnePlus 11. The Phone 1 also featured a pair of 50-megapixel rear cameras, although the Phone 1 included a pair of Sony IMX766 sensors.
The IMX890 promises improved dynamic range and low-light performance compared to the IMX766. The IMX890 also supports full-resolution video output at up to 30 frames per second, something the IMX766 cannot do. The sensor can also record 8K video at 24fps and 4K at up to 60fps.
In PetaPixel’s review of the OnePlus 11, Ted Kritsonis writes, “…it’s a quality phone at a competitive price that can shoot great photos.” While the OnePlus 11 includes Hasselblad color science, something the Nothing Phone 2 lacks, it is safe to assume that the Phone 2 will also deliver “great photos.”
As for the second 50-megapixel camera, the ultrawide camera appears to be the same as the Phone 1, including a 114-degree field of view.
The front-facing camera has been upgraded from a 16-megapixel selfie camera to a 32-megapixel selfie camera with electronic image stabilization.
Nothing has also improved the Phone 2’s image processing. The Phone 2 captures up to 4,000 times more data than Phone 1, “allowing Nothing to deliver advanced new algorithms that make photos and videos more dynamically accurate than ever.”
Phone 2 also includes a new Motion Capture 2.0 algoritm, improved HDR, and promises improved stabilization for its video modes.
The Phone 2’s 6.7-inch OLED display has a 1080×2412 resolution, and it has a variable refresh rate that tops out at 120Hz. Low-power modes decrease the refresh rate to as low as 1Hz.
As for power, the Phone 2 is powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which Nothing says delivers an 80% performance improvement.
Pricing and Availability
Unlike the original Nothing Phone 1, the Nothing Phone 2 will be available in the United States. The Phone 2 starts at $599 for the 8+128GB version. The 12+256GB and 12+512GB versions are available for $649 and $749, respectively, with special $50 preorder discounts.
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