Nothing Phone Review (2): After a year with it, it's still my choice

Nothing Phone (2) It's been my main phone for over a year, and I can say without hesitation that it's the best phone I've had in a long time. Not only because of its distinctive and minimalist design, but also because of the reliability it's shown me in everyday use compared to my previous phone. In this review, you'll discover why it's still my choice after a year of use.

In a market saturated with devices that often prioritize numbers over real experience, this mobile phone has managed to distance itself from the competition with a proposition that combines aesthetics, performance and stability.

Design and Construction: minimalism with personality

From day one, the Nothing Phone (2) stood out for its transparent back and unmistakable system Glyph. This system isn't just for looks; it's become a practical tool in my daily life. I use it quite a lot, especially as a flashlight, since its light is softer than a traditional LED flash. For example, it's great for finding clothes in the closet without dazzling or disturbing others in the early hours of the morning.

Furthermore, I find it incredibly useful at work thanks to the essential notifications. I simply turn my phone face down, and if a light illuminates on the back panel, I know it's truly an important notification, such as a missed call or a WhatsApp message from my immediate family.

With a weight of 201.2 grams and a solid build, it feels good in the hand, it's not heavy and its IP54 certification protects it against splashes. However, there is a downside: its back is quite slippery, and although the design is very attractive, it gets dirty easily and fingerprints are very noticeable. In the end, as always, the solution is to put a case on it, but it loses some of its charm.

Nothing OS: fluid and distraction-free

The operating system is one of the things I like most about this phone. Nothing OS It's lightweight, minimalist, and very similar to stock Android, but with its own unique personality. I love the ability to switch the screen to grayscale, remove app names, and make the entire interface much easier on the eyes.

Can Add widgets to the lock screen, It's incredibly useful. For example, I have a small gallery with my favorite photos, along with direct buttons for Wi-Fi, my headphone battery status, the glyphs system, and the LED flashlight. It's true you can't do extensive customization with hundreds of watches, but I much prefer having the features I use most often just a tap away.

There is no bloatware, There's no advertising, and the apps that Nothing is developing (by the way, its beautiful [apps] are worth highlighting) weather appThese features are optional, aesthetically pleasing, and fit with the system's philosophy. Furthermore, updates with improvements and new features are released every two months, keeping the system optimized and free of software issues.

It is true that in the official forum of Nothing There are usually several dissatisfied users complaining about numerous bugs. I'm sorry, but I'd be lying if I said that was my case; I haven't encountered any major bugs that weren't fixed in the next update.

Compared to Xiaomi: stability and reliability

Coming from a Xiaomi 11T Pro, The difference in stability has been enormous. In the last year, the Nothing Phone (2) has only "half-frozen" once, whereas with Xiaomi, crashes were frequent. The use of Android Auto It's also been a substantial improvement; before, it was a real headache. I've used it in three different cars, both wired and over Wi-Fi, and it's never let me down. With Xiaomi, on the other hand, I had problems all the time. The same goes for the connectivity of my smartwatch, which now works without any dropouts or delays in notifications. Another positive point is the connection with other Bluetooth devices, like cameras or headphones, which has been flawless.

Screen and sound: competent, without frills

The screen OLED LTPO The 6.7-inch screen looks good and responds quickly to touch commands. It offers a refresh rate of up to 120Hz The colors are vibrant, but outdoors in bright sunlight, the peak brightness falls a bit short. As for the speakers, they offer balanced sound, though nothing particularly outstanding. They don't disappoint, but they don't impress either.

Cameras: versatility with room for improvement

He Nothing Phone (2) It has two rear sensors 50MP: a Sony IMX890 with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an ultra-wide-angle lens Samsung JN1. For general use, they perform well, but in challenging lighting conditions they can be inconsistent. Furthermore, the lack of optical zoom is a drawback when taking portraits, although the digital zoom holds its own in good lighting.

He HDR Sometimes he behaves strangely And in scenes with significant lighting differences, the result isn't always as expected. If you want a more detailed analysis of the cameras, I recommend Take a look at this article. Despite its areas for improvement, it has one of the best camera combinations in its price range. That said, as a photography enthusiast, for me, this is by far the most important area for improvement.

Battery and charging: no degradation after one year

One of the things that has surprised me most is the battery. After a year of use, it's still in excellent condition and gives me a... 7 hours of continuous screen time, 26 hours of combined use o 67 hours with the screen off With a full charge, I typically get around 4 or 5 hours of screen time before plugging the phone back in with 201% battery remaining. That might seem a bit short, but I have to mention that I run a lot of apps and background activities daily, including Android Auto via Wi-Fi automatically when I get in the car. In my (somewhat demanding) daily routine, it easily lasts until bedtime. I've only had to charge it before the end of the day after heavy use (like editing and processing videos).

Wireless charging is a bonus I really appreciate, and it's also great to be able to charge my... Nothing Ear simply by placing them on the phone. The battery of 4,700 mAh It remains one of the device's strong points, and the fast charging of 45W allows to recover a 50% battery in just 30 minutes.

Final assessment

He Nothing Phone (2) It has shown me that a clean operating system, free of ads and bloatware, makes all the difference in everyday use. It's not perfect, but in terms of stability, fluidity, and design, it remains a safe bet. The only thing that will change this device is when Nothing itself releases a product that's just as well-rounded but with a camera module that lives up to the rest of its features. Will that be with the Nothing Phone (3)? I'm sure it will!

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