The highly anticipated Phone (2) from British startup Nothing is set to launch, marking their first flagship device. Despite the use of an older Qualcomm chip, it signifies significant progress for the company. The official launch date for the Phone (2) has been announced as July 11th at 11:00 EDT.
Nothing deliberately posted the teaser on its website, anticipating its viral impact on social media. Following in OnePlus’ footsteps, Carl Pei adopts the tactic of gradually revealing information to generate hype.
A few months ago, during MWC in Barcelona, Spain, Nothing initiated teasing for their next-generation phone. In collaboration with Qualcomm, they disclosed that the Phone (2) would feature a premium Qualcomm chip, although the specific model was not specified. Speculations arose suggesting the possibility of an older-generation chip to maintain affordability.
Subsequently, a social media post by a Qualcomm executive confirmed that the Nothing Phone (2) would indeed be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip. While not the latest chipset, it still presents a compelling alternative to the current Qualcomm flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4, Samsung’s flagship devices introduced in the latter half of 2022, are equipped with the “8 Plus” chip. Opting for a flagship chip, even if it’s an older version, proves to be a smart strategy for a mobile startup. It’s certainly a better approach than launching the Phone (1) with a customized mid-range CPU.
Although the Phone (2) will experience a significant performance boost, the recent teaser confirms the reappearance of glowing glyphs on the back. Personally, I perceive this as an insignificant phone feature, but it may appeal to certain Nothing fans who appreciate the ability to customize their devices with functional rear-facing lights.
The provided image lacks a comprehensive view of the phone’s design, fueling social media speculation as users search for hints. Regardless of any attempts to edit the photo, it remains impossible to discern the actual shape of the phone. However, it is reasonable to anticipate the handset maintaining its iPhone-like aesthetics, as there is little benefit in completely altering a design that has already proven successful for the company.According to a recent design leak, the upcoming Phone (2) model is expected to feature more pronounced curves along its edges compared to the previous version. As someone who currently owns an iPhone 14, which retains the same design as the iPhone 12, I find myself longing for the comfortable feel of the iPhone X’s curvier edges. Despite the appealing appearance of the iPhone 14, the ergonomics of the older design were more enjoyable to hold.
In recent months, additional specifications of the Phone (2) have been leaked. The flagship device is expected to sport a 6.7-inch display, putting it in the same size range as an iPhone Pro Max. Furthermore, the phone will be equipped with a 4,700 mAh battery.
In addition to these details, Nothing has confirmed that the flagship phone will receive three years of Android updates and four years of security updates, further solidifying its commitment to providing long-term software support.
Although the release date and price of the Phone (2) from Nothing remain undisclosed, it is anticipated to carry a higher price tag compared to the previous year’s model. However, considering the compromise made on the CPU, Nothing’s inaugural flagship may be more affordable compared to its 2023 competitors. Additionally, the company has expressed interest in the US market, so availability in that region is expected.
Everything will be unveiled by Nothing on July 11th, although it is advisable to anticipate further teasers leading up to the announcement.
