Nothing Phone 1 vs 2 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Nothing Phone 2 & Nothing Phone 1 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Nothing Phone 2 rather than the Nothing Phone 1. 

Why Do I Recommend The Nothing Phone 2

  • The Nothing Phone 2 has a flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip for faster performance, improved multitasking, & better gaming, compared to the Nothing Phone 1’s midrange Snapdragon 778G+.
  • Nothing Phone 2 has a brighter LTPO OLED display with 1600 nits peak brightness for smoother visuals, better outdoor visibility, & adaptive refresh rate, compared to the Phone 1’s standard OLED panel.
  • It has a 32MP front camera for clearer selfies, sharper video calls, & improved face detection, while the Nothing Phone 1 has a 16MP front camera.
  • The Nothing Phone 2 has a larger 4700 mAh battery with 45W fast charging for longer usage & quicker top-ups, compared to the 4500 mAh battery with 33W charging in the Phone 1.
  • Nothing Phone 2 has an upgraded Sony IMX890 50MP main sensor for enhanced low-light photography, faster focus, & better dynamic range, compared to the IMX766 sensor in the Phone 1.
  • It has a redesigned Glyph Interface with 33 addressable zones for more interactive lighting effects, ringtones, & app notifications, compared to the 12-zone interface on the Phone 1.
  • The Nothing Phone 2 features refined ergonomics with a subtly curved back and symmetrical bezels for a more premium in-hand feel, while the Nothing Phone 1 features flat and sharper design.
  • Nothing Phone 2 ships with Nothing OS 2.0 based on Android 13 for smarter widgets, app customizations, & smoother animations, compared to the older Nothing OS 1.0 on the Phone 1.

Maybe the Nothing Phone 1 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Nothing Phone 2. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureNothing Phone 2Nothing Phone 1
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1Snapdragon 778G+
CPUOcta-coreOcta-core
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 642L
RAM Variants8GB / 12GB8GB only
Storage Options128GB / 256GB / 512GB128GB / 256GB
UFS VersionUFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Display Size6.7 inches6.55 inches
Display TypeLTPO OLEDOLED
Peak Brightness1600 nits1200 nits
HDR SupportHDR10+, 10-bit colorHDR10+
Refresh Rate TechnologyAdaptive 1–120Hz60–120Hz
Main Camera SensorSony IMX890 50 MPSony IMX766 50 MP
Main Camera Aperturef/1.88f/1.88
Ultrawide Camera SensorSamsung JN1 50 MPSamsung JN1 50 MP
Front Camera32 MP16 MP
Battery Capacity4,700 mAh4,500 mAh
Wired Charging Speed45W33W
Charging Time (0–100%)~55 mins~70 mins
Wireless Charging15W Qi15W Qi
Reverse Wireless Charging5W5W
Fingerprint Sensor TypeOptical under-displayOptical under-display
Operating System at LaunchNothing OS 2.0 on Android 13Nothing OS 1.0 on Android 12
Software ExperienceUpdated widgets, monochrome theme, app gridBasic Nothing OS skin
Software Support3 OS + 4 years security3 OS + 4 years security
Glyph LED Zones33 individually addressable LEDs12 LED segments
Back Panel DesignSubtle curvature with Glyph enhancementsFlat transparent panel with basic Glyph layout
Frame FinishAluminum with symmetrical edgesAluminum, slightly thicker edges
PriceCheck Phone 2 PriceCheck Phone 1 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Transparent Design with Glyph Interface: Both phones feature a distinctive transparent back panel with a built-in Glyph Interface, creating a signature aesthetic and notification system unique to the Nothing brand.
  • Aluminum Frame & Gorilla Glass: The construction of both devices includes a sturdy aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass protection on both front and back, offering durability and a premium feel.
  • Wireless & Reverse Wireless Charging: Each phone supports 15W Qi wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, enabling convenient cable-free power for both the phone and accessories.
  • 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera: Both models are equipped with a 50MP Samsung JN1 ultra-wide sensor, delivering consistent wide-angle photography with solid detail capture and color.
  • Video Capabilities: The Nothing Phone 2 and Phone 1 both support 4K video recording at 30/60fps and 1080p at 30/60fps, enabling users to shoot high-resolution videos with flexibility.
  • 120Hz AMOLED Displays: Each model features a 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals for content and gaming.
  • In-Display Fingerprint Sensors: Security on both devices is managed through optical fingerprint scanners embedded under the display, offering a fast and convenient unlocking method.
  • Stereo Speaker Setup: Both phones come with dual stereo speakers that produce clear and immersive sound, improving media consumption and gaming experiences.
  • Same Software Promise: Nothing guarantees 3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security patches on both phones, ensuring extended software longevity.
  • Nothing OS Features: Nothing OS is featured on both devices, bringing a clean, bloat-free Android experience, consistent Dot Matrix font, and custom widgets, especially designed for the Glyph system.

Common Features

FeatureNothing Phone 2Nothing Phone 1
Brand & SeriesNothing Phone SeriesNothing Phone Series
Build MaterialAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front & backAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front & back
Back Design LanguageTransparent back with Glyph InterfaceTransparent back with Glyph Interface
Wireless Charging15W Qi wireless charging15W Qi wireless charging
Reverse Wireless Charging5W reverse wireless5W reverse wireless
Water ResistanceIP54 splash resistanceIP53 splash resistance
Main Camera Ultra-Wide50 MP Samsung JN150 MP Samsung JN1
Camera FeaturesNight Mode, Portrait, Ultra-Wide, HDRNight Mode, Portrait, Ultra-Wide, HDR
Video Recording4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps
Display Resolution2412 × 1080 pixels2400 × 1080 pixels
Refresh Rate120Hz adaptive120Hz adaptive
Fingerprint SensorIn-display opticalIn-display optical
Stereo SpeakersDual stereo speakersDual stereo speakers
No Charger in BoxNot includedNot included
5G ConnectivitySupportedSupported
Dual SIMSupportedSupported
NFCSupportedSupported
Nothing OS FeaturesGlyph Interface, Clean UI, Dot Matrix FontGlyph Interface, Clean UI, Dot Matrix Font
Android Update Support3 Years OS, 4 Years Security Updates3 Years OS, 4 Years Security Updates
Price Check Phone 2 Price Check Phone 1 Price

FAQ

Does the Nothing Phone 2 have better camera quality than the Phone 1?
Yes, the Nothing Phone 2 has an upgraded 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor and a higher-resolution 32MP front camera, delivering improved photography and sharper selfies compared to the Phone 1.

Is the Glyph Interface different between the two models?
Yes, the Glyph Interface on the Phone 2 has 33 individually addressable zones, allowing for more animations and notification functions, while the Phone 1 has only 12 zones.

Do both phones support wireless charging?
Yes, both the Nothing Phone 2 and Phone 1 support 15W Qi wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging for charging accessories.

Which phone has a better display?
The Nothing Phone 2 has a brighter and more advanced LTPO OLED display with 1600 nits peak brightness and adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rate, while the Phone 1 uses a standard OLED panel with 1200 nits peak brightness.

Is the battery life better on the Nothing Phone 2?
Yes, the Nothing Phone 2 has a larger 4,700 mAh battery and better efficiency due to the newer chipset, which offers longer screen-on time compared to the 4,500 mAh battery in the Phone 1.

What are the charging speeds for both phones?
The Nothing Phone 2 supports 45W wired charging, while the Phone 1 supports 33W wired charging, making the Phone 2 faster to recharge.

Do both phones run on the same software?
They both run on Nothing OS, but the Phone 2 comes with Nothing OS 2.0 based on Android 13, offering a more refined UI with updated widgets and personalization features. The Phone 1 launched with Nothing OS 1.0 on Android 12.

Are the dimensions and weight different?
Yes, the Phone 2 is slightly larger and heavier at 201.2g and 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm, while the Phone 1 is 193.5g and 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm.

Do both support 5G connectivity?
Yes, both models are 5G capable and support dual SIM functionality, providing fast network access and flexibility for users.

Is there a charger included in the box?
No, neither the Nothing Phone 2 nor the Phone 1 includes a charger in the box. Only a USB-C cable is provided.

Are both phones made from premium materials?
Yes, both feature an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass front and back, ensuring a high-quality build and durability.

How long will both phones receive software updates?
Nothing promises 3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security updates for both the Phone 2 and Phone 1.

Do they have stereo speakers?
Yes, both phones come equipped with dual stereo speakers for immersive audio during media playback, gaming, and calls.