Nothing Phone (2): What’s New, Where To Buy, What’s the Big Deal?

The Nothing Phone (1) was released here in July 2022 with two models: 8GB ram + 256GB storage at RM2,399 and 16GB ram + 256GB storage at RM2,699. In short, they were a mid-spec phone with decent hardward and fancy LEDs at the back.

The Nothing Phone (2) is punching above its weight and as we'll see, is offering mid-end specs for an increased price this time around.

So what's new about the Nothing Phone (2)?

Nothing phones side by side | Credit: Dave2D

There's a new Glyph interface with more LEDs and more customisation. The touted changes are an LED progress bar tthat can be customised and a light that informs you if you have missing notifications.

The camera bumps are slightly larger and the phone itself is slightly bigger and heavier. For all of its claims of being an innovator, the shape remains the same curved rectangular shape that reminds you of an iPhone 12—down to the visual separation of the cameras that makes the iPhone standout when placed face down.

The cameras are also upgraded with new sensors, a Sony IMX890 on the back and a 32MP front camera (up from 16MP previously) that's moved to the middle paired with a Sony IMX615 sensor. The sensor is a mid-end range sensor and in the "vlog keynote" on the Phone (2) founder of Nothing, Carl Pei, revealed that the differentiator for their photos will be in the image processing.

Another upgrade for the Phone (2) is the use of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 released in May 20, 2022. The flagship Samsung S23 launched with the Gen 2.

The battery is now slightly bigger at 4,700mAh compared to 4,500 mAh and yes, it will support 5G with YES 5G as its exclusive launch partner. We guess Maxis and Digi were too big an ask for the fledgling brand. YES also desperately needs some good will given that their 5G adoption and first-mover advantage hasn't quite panned out.

Finally, there's a new OS in the Nothing OS 2.0 which continues its monochome-skinned aesthetic that's... take it or leave it for most.

Where To Buy the Nothing Phone (2)?

There are two variants to choose from, white and drak grey in 2 configurations: 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB. Similarly to the Phone (1), we're not getting the cheapest in the range yet. The 8GB/256GB model will probably come as a second push and positioned as a budget product.

In another power play to position them as an alternative lifestyle product you can purchase the Phone (2) ahead of everyone else in Malaysia on July 14th, at Crossover Mid Valley. The first 100 will receive exclusive numbered merchandise from 1 to 100.

Crossover is Malaysia's leading streetwear brand and purveyor of cool, so you can see how there's some synergy there.

Phone (2) will be made publicly available in Malaysia on Saturday, 22 July at:

Yes5G
DirectD
TMT
URBAN REPUBLIC
Tac Mobile
Vivid Concepts
Lazada Nothing Flagship Store
Shopee Nothing Official Store

What's the price of the Nothing Phone (2)?

We'll soon find out the official pricing, but for now, we can only speculate based on past events. The Nothing Phone (1) did not launch in America officially last year and there's only official EUR and GBP pricing available to compare for the Phone (1). Thankfully, we have last year's local pricing:

	Phone (1) MY	Phone (2) USD	MYR (exchange rate 4.65)
8GB/128GB	RM1499	599	RM2785
8GB(12GB on NP2)/256GB	RM2399	699	RM3251
12GB/512GB	RM2699	799	RM3716

The USD rate was chosen for Phone (2) because that's the currency that we usually trade in when it comes to foreign products.

The pricing is neatly parallel to Apple's phones, i.e., the iPhone 12, 13, and 14 at USD599, USD699, and USD799 respectively (which can all be purchased still). Given the Malaysian pricing we are going to give a scientific guesstimate to the pricing in Malaysia for the Nothing Phone (2).

Nothing Phone (2) 12GB/256GB) - RM3,699
Nothing Phone (2) 12GB/512GB) - RM4,199
Nothing Phone (2) 8GB/256GB) - RM3,199 *not available in Malaysia yet*

That's a significant price jump to say the least. Yes, you're getting their so-called flagship model for the price of an entry-level iPhone 14, but still. Malaysia doesn't even get the cheapest version of the Phone (2) so the phone has a lot to prove this time around.

What's the big deal with the Nothing Phone (2)?

When the company was first announced with backers like YouTuber Casey Neistat, the Nothing brand was poised as an innovator, a game-changer, and all-around bad boy with a bad attitude here to shake up the tech industry.

Since then, it has released 3 products, first, the Ear (stick), then the Nothing Phone (1), and finally the Ear (2). All three products have been praised for their design but have not received glowing reviews in use. The Nothing Phone (2) is its 4th product and its success or failure is going to be a big deal.

Just like the iPhone 3G that redeemed the iPhone 2G and provided an actual use case for the device, the Phone (2) needs to do the same if it wants to remain relevant. After all, they (presumably) don't have infinite coffers like Samsung and Apple seemingly do.

Paired with the price bump, the Phone (2) has to knock it out of the park with this entry if it's going to justify its existence. Its biggest differentiating factor is the so-called see-through design (which it isn't, really) and the Glyphs that force you to place your phone face down.

Yet, we want the phone to succeed because we too agree that the smartphone market is getting stale. We've hit the plateua in terms of design and performance and to find the next blue ocean, someone has to come in with a radical new way of thinking that redefines the phone, while making it cheap.

Right now, Nothing has lost its price differentiator, but a review will tell if the actual product will set it apart from the competition. Hit us up, Nothing.