
The Nothing Phone (2) is coming soon, and is arguably one of the most anticipated releases in the Android phone sphere. Teased by company CEO, Carl Pei, as a premium handset, we've already seen a number of leaked renders and proposed specs for the device.
Now, a Geekbench listing for the phone has gone live – and I have mixed emotions. First, it confirms previous rumours which suggested that the Phone (2) would pack a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. In this case, it appears to be a slightly underclocked variant, too.
That's a decent chip. Sure, I'd have liked to see a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in there for an enhanced experience, but you won't notice too much difference unless you're gaming non-stop. It also confirms the 12 GB of RAM, which has been reported. That's said to be in addition to a minimum of 256GB of storage and a 5,000mAh battery.
The scores themselves are firmly middle-of-the-road. 1,253 in single-core performance and 3,833 in the multi-core stakes is nothing to really write home about, but it's a decent showing.
It does get the better of handsets like the Google Pixel 7 – though we know those devices aren't optimised for Geekbench testing – and shows a modest improvement over the original Nothing Phone (1). I'm also very aware of the limitations of Geekbench scores.
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times – a good Geekbench score doesn't necessarily mean a good phone. The same can be said in reverse – just because the Phone (2) hasn't set the world on fire here, doesn't mean it won't be a great handset overall.
But it does feel a little underwhelming. Those scores are a significant chunk lower than the best phones on the market – devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the iPhone 14. And while I'd never have expected Nothing to go toe-to-toe with them, the gulf between them is wider than I'd hoped.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Ultimately, the pricing will be the determining factor. Rumours have suggested that the new model will start around £599 in the UK. At that price, I think the Phone (2) has a lot going for it – decent performance and a quirky design. If it strays much higher than that, though, it could be a much tougher sell.

Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam review: solid performance for always on use
The always-on appeal of the Nexar Beam2 Mini Dash Cam is a big draw, but this affordable model also delivers some irritations
-
Android phones are getting a Dynamic Island... sort of
Android 16 is bringing an iPhone feature to millions of phones
-
Android phones are getting a Dynamic Island... sort of
Android 16 is bringing an iPhone feature to millions of phones
-
When will my phone get Android 16? Pixel, Samsung, Nothing, OnePlus – is yours on the list?
Android 16 arrives earlier than previous updates, but when will your phone get it?
-
Android 16 launches today – 6 headline new features to look out for
There are some exciting new features coming in Android 16
-
Android 16 launch LIVE – all the latest on The Android Show and more
Google will detail Android 16 today, a week ahead of Google I/O – and we're covering it live
-
The Android Show I/O – how to watch the launch of Android 16 and discover new features
Google will unveil its biggest Android update in years today – you can watch it right here
-
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge launch official – and it's very soon
The revolutionary phone will be here in a matter of days
-
Massive Google blunder reveals the biggest design upgrade in Android history
A fresh new look could be coming to Android really soon
-
Android 16 gets a great new look, as shown by these leaked images
It's all change for Android with a major redesign incoming