Carl Pei’s present tech enterprise, Nothing — a London-based firm — has been making regular inroads into the smartphone market and the world of equipment that revolve round it. Its first smartphone, the Nothing Telephone (1), poised itself as a tool that ticked each field in our evaluate, and a bit over six months later, the machine has aged exceptionally properly.
At MWC 2023, Pei unveiled that the sequel to its first smartphone will characteristic a Snapdragon 8 Collection processor — this set the tone for its subsequent machine — indicating it will likely be extra highly effective and presumably costlier and premium. And these current bulletins give us the proper alternative to debate the options and enhancements we might wish to see on this successor. So, let’s dive proper in.
A Extra Snug Design
To begin, let’s discuss design. Not solely was this a marquee aspect of the Nothing Telephone (1), and one of the crucial talked about factors in each evaluate. Most of this owed to the Glyph — the array of 900 LEDs that gentle up in varied patterns — and the clear glass again. Work into this a form much like the most well-liked smartphone on the planet — the iPhone — and we’ve a recipe for eye-catching or a minimum of headline-generating {hardware}.
However just like the iPhone 14 Professional Max and its previous two predecessors, the Nothing Telephone (1) felt a bit unwieldy after I reviewed it. So, whereas it is simpler to deal with than the massive iPhone, a shorter chassis or decreased thickness could make the machine really feel even higher.
Whereas we might counsel having smoother curves akin to the OnePlus 11, which we lately had a hands-on expertise with, sustaining a model identification is vital. Therefore, we might wish to see a barely smaller Nothing Telephone (2) whose design is not a far cry from the present mannequin.
A Brighter Show
The Nothing Telephone (1) has the most effective mid-range smartphone shows: interval. Bringing collectively uniform bezels, Full HD decision, punchy shade calibration, and 120Hz refresh charge is a mix for fulfillment. However brightness is one other facet that, if enhanced, can significantly enhance the consumer expertise.
The Nothing Telephone (1) has a score of 500 nits (when set to guide brightness mode), with its automated mode peaking at 700 nits — taking part in HDR content material was mentioned to push the panel to 1200 nits.
On Nothing Telephone (2), we count on the OEM to characteristic a brightness of 800 nits. The advance would align the cellphone with rivals just like the iPhone 13/14, Pixel 7, and Galaxy S23. The change will nullify the one actual weak level we noticed whereas testing the Nothing Telephone (1) show.
If Nothing chooses to improve its Gorilla Glass variant for the glass layer, it is a plus, however we would not foyer for one.
A Versatile Digital camera
Up subsequent is the digicam. The Nothing Telephone (1) selected to ship solely the necessities; this meant there have been solely two lenses on the smartphone and no 2-megapixel macro or shade sensors. The efficiency of the dual-camera system — 50-megapixel Vast and 50-megapixel Ultrawide — was greater than acceptable, and software program updates additional improved the outcomes over time.
So, if together with a Snapdragon 8 collection processor takes the cellphone down a premium route — away from its mid-range standing — we might wish to see a 3rd telephoto lens that brings extra perspective and selection for the consumer. Plus, we hope Nothing’s entry to an in-house software program improvement group produces constant colours on the pictures captured from all sensors.
The entrance digicam on the Nothing Telephone (1) wasn’t something to jot down residence about, nevertheless it did seize good pictures. Suppose Nothing decides to not change the {hardware}; we hope that combining a brand new processor and software program improves the picture high quality. Additionally, Nothing ought to allow the power to document 4K footage, a characteristic many smartphone manufacturers appear to disregard.
A Hopeful Implementation of Qi2
Whereas there must be readability on the launch window for Nothing Telephone (2), we all know that Qi2 wi-fi charging will make its option to smartphones close to the top of 2023. So, if Nothing can align its launch with this launch — or maybe develop help for the usual — we expect it will likely be a optimistic addition to the smartphone.
Its smartphone already helps Qi wi-fi charging, a characteristic that is fairly handy to make use of; including a Qi2 magnetic array will solely enhance the expertise.
An Even Higher Software program Expertise
Lastly, we hope the launch of the Nothing Telephone (2) is available in tow with a fair higher software program expertise. At launch, the Nothing Telephone (1) was fairly naked and, in some circumstances, poorly optimized. Carl Pei hinted that missing an in-house improvement group led to such a software program expertise.
However with an in-house group now behind Nothing OS, the software program expertise is displaying distinctive parts and robustness. We hope this group can translate the success it has seen with Nothing OS 1.5 into the software program bundle that makes use of Android 14 supplied on the Nothing Telephone (2), with much more options.
Nothing Telephone (2) Has A Powerful Act To Observe
Whereas the brand new processor will certainly excite customers, we surprise what different adjustments the model will implement to drive clients in its course. The CEO, Carl Pei, has confirmed that the cellphone will come to the US this time, without having a beta program and hopefully with out query marks round service help.
Following up on a tool that did so many issues proper may be troublesome in a cutthroat market. Attributable to its strong predecessor, the Nothing Telephone (2) has a troublesome act to observe, and we won’t wait to see the machine that makes its option to the market.
