The Indian smartphone market is highly competitive, with buyers demanding great value and innovation. Enter Nothing and their Phone (2) – an exciting new entrant looking to make its mark with a unique transparent design and seamless user experience. As a technology expert in India, I was eager to test drive this phone and see how it stacks up.
Polarizing Design That Grabs Attention
The first thing that strikes you about the Phone (2) is its transparent back panel revealing the intricate internal components. This “glypth” interface is unlike anything else in the Indian market, and lets Nothing stand out. While the aesthetic may divide opinions, I appreciate the boldness to try something new.
Other design highlights:
- Slim aluminum frame with flat sides provides a premium in-hand feel
- Distinctive LED light strips on the back for notifications
- Bright 6.7″ OLED display with slim bezels
Overall, the Phone (2) has a polarizing but attention-grabbing design – one that turns heads in a sea of generic-looking smartphones. For buyers wanting something that looks and feels different, this phone delivers.
Capable Performance for Daily Use
Under the hood is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset paired with 8GB or 12GB RAM options. This provides smooth performance for most daily tasks like web browsing, social media, video streaming, and light gaming. Benchmarks compared to other popular phones:
| Phone | AnTuTu Benchmark | Geekbench (single / multi) |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 2 | 4,52,353 | 778 / 2,826 |
| OnePlus Nord 2T | 5,05,693 | 825 / 2,766 |
| Galaxy M53 5G | 5,06,530 | 720 / 1,919 |
While not the most powerful processor, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 handles everyday use well. Gaming enthusiasts may want a more premium chip though.
Good Dual Camera Setup for Segment
The Phone (2) features a capable 50MP main camera and 50MP ultrawide lens. Photos in ideal lighting conditions came out sharp and vibrant. The cameras hold up respectably against competitors for social media and casual use. Low light performance could be better though.
Video recording goes up to 4K 60fps with decent stabilization. The 32MP selfie camera captured some crisp looking shots. Overall, while the cameras don’t match premium flagships, they offer good quality for the price range.
Large Battery with Fast Charging
A key highlight is the large 4,700 mAh battery delivering over a day’s use comfortably, even with heavy usage. I consistently got around 6-7 hours of screen time during testing.
The included 33W fast charger juices up the phone quickly – going from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes. This fast charging is a welcome feature not seen in all competitors.
Delivering Innovation at Disruptive Pricing
The Nothing Phone (2) base variant with 8GB/128GB is priced at just ₹44,999. This is highly aggressive considering the overall package – unique design, good cameras, smooth performance, and long battery life.
Nothing is positioning this as a “proudly mid-range” device focused on design and seamless experience rather than bleeding edge specs. For Indian buyers wanting something fresh and innovative without breaking the bank, the Phone (2) makes a compelling case. With disruptive pricing and a brand unafraid to shake up the status quo, the Phone (2) earns an easy recommendation for those open to trying something new. Of course, those wanting more mainstream options still have great choices from OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi and others. But the Phone (2) brings a start-up’s flair and focus to the table. For this price, it redefines value in the crowded Indian smartphone market.