When it comes to the best cheap phones, the Nothing Phone (1) has made a real name for itself. A fashionable take on the form, the handset fuses good specs with a sleek and unique design.
It's a good phone, but it doesn't quite have the firepower to compete with the best Android phones. That could all be about to change though. Recently, Nothing CEO Carl Pei confirmed that the Nothing Phone (2) was coming. Pei said it was set to offer a more premium experience than the current model – and now we have a little more detail about what that means.
At MWC 2023, Nothing announced that the Phone (2) will have a Snapdragon 8 Series processor. Currently, the 8 series flagship is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which features in top-end phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the new Xiaomi 13 Pro. It's a fantastically capable chipset, offering more power efficiency and features like ray tracing which make it brilliant for mobile gaming.
There's no confirmation about whether that's the processor that will feature in the Phone (2), but it would certainly be a statement of intent if it was. A handset with a top of the line processor would surely give Nothing the best footing to compete with premium handsets from other manufacturers.
The other consideration will be pricing. The Phone (1) was a popular choice because it offered a good spec at a great price. And while a more premium handset will undoubtedly cost more, balancing price and performance will be crucial to the success of the Phone (2).
With release pegged for later this year, further announcements are expected soon.
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.
Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.
He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.
Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.