Nothing Phone 2 Launches in US on July 17th for $599

Nothing has finally revealed the Phone 2, following numerous teasers. This new device is likely to meet your expectations if you found the Phone 1 to be lacking in power, or if you were unable to purchase the previous model in your region. The Phone 2 offers significantly improved performance, approaching that of a flagship device, thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, which is a notable upgrade from last year’s mid-tier 778G+ chip. Although it may not be considered cutting edge, the company claims that it is 80 percent faster. Additionally, the Phone 2 allows for 4K video recording at 60 frames per second and enhances RAW HDR photography by capturing eight frames, resulting in greater overall scene detail compared to its predecessor, which only captured three frames.

Thus, Nothing says it has improved the quality of the Phone 2’s camera. The updated 50MP primary and 50MP ultra-wide rear cameras now feature 2X “superres” digital zoom, object tracking, and other imaging upgrades. The front camera, on the other hand, jumps from a 16 megapixel cell to 32 megapixels. Like some competitors, there is now an “Action Mode” that produces very stable video recording.

There are a few more obvious changes. You can expect a larger 6.7-inch, 120Hz LTPO OLED display (if still 1080p) with higher 1,600-nit peak brightness and thinner bezels. The back has a tapered “2.5D” glass. And yes, the rear Glyph lighting is more advanced. In addition to multiple LED segments, you can create different lighting sets for each type of connection and notification. You can also use steady lights for mandatory notifications, and some lights now work as progress trackers for delivery and ride-hailing services like Uber.

Software plays a much more important role. While the first model had only a few modest customizations, the Phone 2’s Nothing OS 2.0 lets you tweak significantly more. You can now have multiple home screens with custom color themes, grid sizes, and app labels. You’ll also find customizable folders, and a more advanced set of widgets includes shortcuts for quick settings. These widgets are also available on the lock screen.

The Phone 2 is said to last longer thanks to its 4,700mAh battery, and you get a full charge in 55 minutes. 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging are not surprising, but they are not always present in this upper mid-range phone segment.

Crucially, the Nothing Phone 2 will be priced as soon as it arrives in North America. It will be available in the US and Canada on July 17th at 4:00 AM Eastern, starting at $599 (and an oddly high $929 CAD) for the version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. $699 ($999 CAD) gets you 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the top-of-the-line 12GB/512GB configuration sells for $799 ($1,099 CAD). Pre-orders are available now, with early sales coming July 13 via physical “Nothing Drops” in New York (69 Gansevoort Street) and London (4 Peter Street).

There is no mention of North American carrier deals as of this writing, so this sequel may not be as easy to find as the mainstream offering. However, launching in the region is still a big deal. The Phone 2 significantly expands the audience for Nothing’s phones and offers new competition to affordable phones like Google’s similarly priced Pixel 7.