In a world dominated by cutting-edge smartphones and the constant pursuit of technological innovation, one company dared to challenge the status quo and deliver a device like no other—the Nothing Phone.
The brainchild of visionary entrepreneur Carl Pei, the original Nothing Phone (1) garnered significant attention for its minimalistic design and commitment to simplicity.
Recently, the second iteration of the smartphone was unveiled by the company and it is being praised for offering flagship-like features at a reasonable price.
But is the Nothing Phone (2) really affordable? And if it is a premium phone, does it offer all that it should?
Here are four features that the Nothing Phone (2) misses out on. Including these would have made it a pro-beast.
4 Years of Android OS Updates
In today’s rapidly evolving smartphone market, longevity is a key factor that customers value.
When you invest over Rs. 50,000 ($600+) in a flagship device, you expect it to receive regular software updates for a significant period.
While the Nothing Phone (2) promised three years of software update support and four years of security updates, last year’s Phone (1) was priced roughly Rs. 16k ($200) lower and offered the same update policy.
This begs the question of whether the Nothing Phone (2) could have provided an enhanced version with extended software support, ensuring a better long-term experience for its customers.
16 GB RAM Variant
One impressive aspect of OnePlus phones has been their inclusion of a 16GB RAM variant, even in devices starting under Rs. 40K ($500).
Models like the OnePlus 11R (256GB) and the recently released OnePlus Nord 3 (256GB) showcase this strategy.
Considering that the Nothing Phone (2) supports up to 512GB of ROM, it would have been appreciated if they had complemented the highest storage variant with 16GB of RAM.
This additional RAM would have justified the premium price and delivered a more powerful and future-proof device.
USB 3.0/3.1
Despite the existence of USB Type C 3.0 for years, its utilization in smartphones remains limited. Many manufacturers have yet to tap into its full potential.
This presented an excellent opportunity for the engineers behind the Nothing Phone (2) to differentiate themselves from the competition by providing USB 3.0 or 3.1 capabilities.
However, they chose to stick with the conventional 2.0 version, missing the chance to offer faster data transfer speeds and improved connectivity.
Only a few recent phones, like the OnePlus 11R, have embraced USB 3.0, making it an aspect that could have set the Nothing Phone (2) apart.
Faster Charging Speed
The Nothing Phone (2) boasts a 4700mAh battery that supports charging at a maximum speed of 45W, with wireless charging capabilities of up to 15W.
Additionally, the device offers reverse charging to power up other devices at a maximum speed of 5W.
While these features are undeniably impressive, it would have been even more enticing to see the Nothing Phone (2) support charging speeds exceeding 60W.
Although faster charging speeds may result in slightly reduced battery longevity over time, they remain a highly sought-after feature for attracting new customers.
To get things in perspective, let me just cite examples of some of Nothing Phone (2) competitors:
i) Xiaomi 12 Pro: It comes with 50W wireless charging and 120W wired charging. The 2022’s alleged flagship by Xiaomi might have many drawbacks but fast charging is not one of them, particularly when it is presently retailing at a starting price of Rs. 41,999.
ii) iQOO Neo 7 Pro: Well, this phone is not a direct competitor of Nothing Phone (2) since it has a starting price of Rs. 34,999 ($426).
What is interesting is iQOO Neo 7 Pro can fuel its 5000 mAH battery at 120W. But the phone doesn’t offer wireless charging. Still, I would say the Rs. 10K ($121) price difference covers up for that.
iii) OnePlus 11R: Again, there’s no wireless charging, but you get to refill at 100W. The phone starts at Rs. 39,999 and seriously contends with the Nothing Phone (1) in terms of other features.
iv) OnePlus Nord 3: It is considered a beast in the under 40k segment. Starting at Rs. 33,999, the OnePlus Nord 3 maxes out at 80W. You don’t get the convenience of wireless charging but you also don’t have to lighten your pockets as much as you have to do for the Phone (2).
Many other models provide much more acceptable charging speeds. I haven’t mentioned even half of them. My goal was to give you an idea of the whole matter.
I think Nothing has compromised fast charging in the Phone (2) for reverse and wireless charging. Still, at a premium price, they could have stretched it a bit further to at least 60W.
Final Word
Undoubtedly, the Nothing Phone (2) is an impressive device in its own right. However, it’s important to consider how much more it could have offered at its price point.
As smartphone manufacturers tend to make incremental improvements with each new iteration, it is understandable that Nothing, with only one product line, may introduce enhancements gradually over time.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider purchasing the Nothing Phone (2), but it’s crucial to weigh all aspects and evaluate your priorities before making a final decision.
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