Phone (1) to Nothing Phone (2): Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 1 year apart.
Yes — the Nothing Phone (2) is a worthwhile upgrade
The Nothing Phone (2) is 1 year newer than the Phone (1), and the BeastScore rises from 83.1 to 85.7. The biggest improvements: camera rated 4 points higher, newer snapdragon 8+ gen 1 chipset (replaces snapdragon 778g), 200 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: 7.699999999999989 g heavier, launched $200 more expensive.
What you gain with the Nothing Phone (2)
- Camera rated 4 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 778G)
- 200 mAh bigger battery
- 12W faster wired charging
- 10W faster wireless charging
- 0.2" larger screen
- 400 nits brighter peak display
What you give up
- 7.699999999999989 g heavier
- Launched $200 more expensive
Head-to-head
| Spec | Phone (1) | Nothing Phone (2) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 83.1 | 85.7 | +2.6 (3%) |
| Performance score | 90 | 90 | No real change |
| Camera score | 84 | 88 | +4 (5%) |
| Battery score | 78 | 78 | No real change |
| Display score | 86 | 88 | No real change |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 4,500 mAh | 4,700 mAh | +200 mAh (4%) |
| Wired charging | 33W | 45W | +12W (36%) |
| Wireless charging | 5W | 15W | +10W (200%) |
| Screen size | 6.5" | 6.7" | +0.2" |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,600 nits | +400 nits (33%) |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 193.5 g | 201.2 g | +7.7 g (4%) |
| Launch price | $399 | $599 | +$200 (50%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
Phone (1) to Nothing Phone (2): Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the Phone (1) to the Nothing Phone (2)?
Yes — the Nothing Phone (2) is a worthwhile upgrade. The Nothing Phone (2) is 1 year newer than the Phone (1), and the BeastScore rises from 83.1 to 85.7. The biggest improvements: camera rated 4 points higher, newer snapdragon 8+ gen 1 chipset (replaces snapdragon 778g), 200 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: 7.699999999999989 g heavier, launched $200 more expensive.
What is the biggest difference between the Phone (1) and Nothing Phone (2)?
Camera rated 4 points higher: 84 on the Phone (1) vs 88 on the Nothing Phone (2).
Does the Nothing Phone (2) have a bigger battery than the Phone (1)?
The Nothing Phone (2) has a 4,700 mAh battery versus 4,500 mAh on the Phone (1) (+200 mAh (4%)).
Who should upgrade to the Nothing Phone (2)?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; Photo quality is a priority for you; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.