Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus, plans to take on Apple’s dominant position in the smartphone market with the launch of the Nothing Phone (2). Pei revealed the timeline and battery details of the phone, which is highly anticipated due to the success of its predecessor in converting iPhone users to the Nothing brand. Pei noted that an Apple alternative has the potential to succeed in the U.S. market, given that there isn’t a particularly exciting option available at present. According to Pei, the Nothing Phone (2) will be released globally in July 2023.
The Nothing Phone (2) is expected to retain the transparent design of the previous model and include a larger 4,700mAh battery and a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, offering an overall performance boost of 80% compared to the previous-generation device. Pei clarified that the phone will not feature the latest Gen 2 chipset, as he believes that the benefits do not justify the added cost to users. The Nothing Phone (2) aims to remain accessible while providing an improved experience compared to its predecessor.
Nothing is a U.K.-based consumer tech startup founded by Pei, who also serves as CEO. Last year, the company launched Nothing Phone (1), a mid-range device that sold around 750,000 units, equivalent to approximately half the number of first-generation iPhones sold. Pei hopes that the Nothing Phone (2) will present a strong challenge to Apple’s iPhone SE.
