Nothing Phone (2), Best Android Release of 2023

nothing is a British brand based in London, which has sought to make a difference from its creator base, since it was founded by Carl Pei, co-founder of the Chinese brand OnePlus, inventor of the iPod, Tony Fadell, the company – Twitch founder, Kevin Lin, and CEO Redditor Steve Huffman and YouTuber Casey Nesitat. Our first approach with the brand was to use the Nothing Ear 2 headphones and now we have had the opportunity to use the headphones for at least 3 months. No phone (2)a smartphone equipped with a copy of Google’s operating system with a disrespectful suggestion.

Camera has been improved and updated

It is important to say that part of the delay in this analysis was seeing that from one update to the next, the camera was improving, from the beginning configured with the main sensor Sony IMX890 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, ultra wide angle Samsung JN1, 50 MP; f/2.2 and the 32MP f/2.45 Sony IMX615 front camera left a lot to be desired, putting it at the mid-range level. After subsequent updates, we saw an improvement that made it regain its strength, which is why this analysis is based on version 2.0.3 of its operating system.

Photography methodology

All photos were taken using autofocus as we usually do with high-end smartphones, to see shutter speed and especially performance in different lighting scenarios.

In close-up images, despite using HDR, the colors look somewhat washed out compared to what we have in reality.

Night photos are the ones that have improved the most since the updates, although it’s important to keep in mind that there’s a slight delay in capture, so if the lens moves too much it can ruin the shot.

Zoom shots have good results, but can also cause problems in low-light conditions.

One of the more complex shots we took was a photo of a fairly dark street in New York City in a setting with neon lights. These types of shots usually make things a bit complicated for sensors, but the Nothing Phone (2) did it well.

Another test we did was with a moving target, in this case the torch of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia on a cloudy day. The result is good, but the fact that HDR makes it look a bit dark is still there.

In natural light conditions, shots are at the top of the range after the latest updates.

The selfie camera, unlike the main camera, does not show problems with high dynamic range and works perfectly with face unlock.

It even showed us excellent results in low-light conditions.

The software integrates additional functions such as Portrait Mode, Motion Capture 2.0, which detects scenes in real time, and Super Res 2X Zoom which seeks to preserve all image details. It also combines 4K slow motion at 1080p at 120, 240 and 480 fps. Video is recorded in 4K and Full HD at 60 and 30 fps, and we can configure the time-lapse in 1080p and 4K from 15 to 960 seconds per shot. For enthusiasts, it has Panoramic, Macro and Expert mode where we can adjust the values ​​to taste.

Another plus is its integration with Google Lens, which works like few others, since on most devices, including high-end ones, this software usually doesn’t work that well.

Camera rating: 8.5

a screen

Measuring 6.7 inches with a screen-to-body ratio of 87.2%, the LPTO AMOLED HDR10+ panel with Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offers a resolution of 1080 x 2412 with a density of 394 ppi, its color depth is 20-bit and its dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz is ideal for watching content. The maximum brightness it reaches is 1,600 nits, which is ideal for watching content without setbacks indoors.

The response time of the screen is 86 ms, which is not bad at all to be able to play competitive games, but it is important to highlight that we have to constantly move the brightness if we are indoors, since the sensor goes down a lot.

The screen allowed us to watch HDR content on Amazon Prime Video and up to 2160 at 60 frames per second on YouTube. In the case of apps like Disney+, HBO Max, and Star+, it can be watched in high definition.

It has a customization section where we can choose the screen refresh rate, which we can leave in dynamic mode, high mode (120 Hz) or standard mode at 60 Hz.

On the other hand, it integrates a color customization mode where we can choose between active or standard mode with color temperature modifier, as well as an in-display fingerprint reader.

Screen rating: 8.5

performance

Neither phone (2) we evaluated has it in it Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 first generation12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage, although there are other versions, 8 GB RAM with 128 GB storage and 12 GB RAM with 512 GB storage.

Multitasking functionality was not an issue, even when we recorded 4K video in long sessions.

High-demand video games like Fortnite with the highest visual values ​​have maintained a pre-set average of 60 frames per second, and have even live-streamed using the Twitch app, so it can serve as a tool for content creators in mobile games. We also ran games like Call of Duty: Mobile or Diablo Immortal, which all topped 60fps without any major issues. The thing we liked is that it maintains its temperature without overheating too much.

Apps like Alexa, Furbo, Google Assistant, Philips Hue, Hue Sync, Ring and sync with headphones like the WH-1000XM5 or Nothing Ear 2 flow perfectly, in fact, the latter syncs in a similar way to Apple devices being their own brand. Wearables like Ray-ban Stories or smartwatches had no trouble syncing, and interaction with LG’s Android or WebOS smart TVs worked without fail.

Like most high-end smartphones, it adds a gaming mode with a floating panel. In this section we can improve the color, enable the function to prevent touch errors, leave the panel icon static and remove notifications so that they do not interrupt you while playing. We can also customize the in-game panel by leaving icons to take screenshots or videos, display FPS, as well as an uninterrupted mode.

Performance rating: 10

My voice

This is the weakest section we found, as it does not integrate sections like Dolby or DTS but does integrate Dirac, an audio enhancer.

Regarding the external stereo speakers, they have good volume with decent bass for watching multimedia content or enhancing video game effects.

Sound rating: 8

battery

4700 mAh can now be considered the minimum within the high range, in addition to it it has built-in 45W regular charging and 15W wireless charging, as well as 5W reverse wireless charging, which you can customize through the menu to limit it until you reach A certain percentage of the internal battery.

Likewise, it adds sections where we can see its consumption, battery saving modes, and a function that allows the administrator to detect applications that drain the battery to restrict them.

Battery rating: 9

Peripherals

The box of this smartphone comes without a charger, a USB-C cable and a SIM card ejection tool. Although the unboxing experience was fun, we can say we would have liked the brand’s charger to be included.

Perimeter rating: 8

design

Although this device follows the same line as the previous model, it definitely falls outside the classic stereotype, although sometimes we think it looks like an iPhone. What amazes us is the Glyph interface, which is all LED lights that you can customize in different ways, whether with ringtones, notifications, timers, Google Assistant, sound indicator, charging meter when connected, and even see real-time updates from some third-party apps like Uber, and here we can See how close the driver is through one of the LED lights. We can also create our own sequences with the sound composer, which is something all music creators can take advantage of.

The Nothing Phone (2) feels sturdy to the touch at 201 grams, and its transparent finish certainly gives it a unique touch for its dimensions of 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm. It has NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and IP54 certification that makes it dust and splash resistant.

Design rating: 10

OS

he None OS 2.0 on Android 13 It is undoubtedly the best adaptation of Google’s operating system, because it looks clean and is not invaded by unnecessary software, in fact some of the original applications of the Alphabeth subsidiary adapt to the design of the team’s interface, making it look harmonious. Another section that shines is its UI elements with a complete Nothing look that makes it unique as well.

It is important to note that during the entire analysis period, we did not have any breakdowns and it remained stable.

OS rating: 10

Final score: 9