I was an enthusiastic Nothing supporter. After a year with the Phone 2, I switched to a Pixel. Here’s what happened.
Initial Enthusiasm
I bought the Nothing Phone 2 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) in July 2023 after my Google Pixel 4a started failing. The hardware impressed me immediately - performance was roughly 2–3 times better than my previous phone. The design was genuinely distinctive.
Progressive Disappointment
Over twelve months, the cracks showed:
- Month 1: Hardware performance exceeded expectations, minor software bugs present but tolerable
- Month 3: Software updates slowed considerably; basic features remained unimplemented
- Months 6–9: Camera quality stayed subpar, battery performance disappointed
- Months 10–12: Nothing released the Phone 2a with newer Nothing OS versions than the flagship Phone 2 - a clear signal that earlier adopters had been abandoned
The Core Problem
Nothing diverged from its stated philosophy. “Weren’t you going to be the iPhone of Android?” The company started releasing new products - apparel, watches - while neglecting software improvements for existing devices.
The Nothing Watch Pro and CMF Buds Pro also disappointed. Poor watch faces, limited features, and touch controls that couldn’t be disabled despite user requests.
The Switch
After about a year, I moved to the Google Pixel 8. Immediate improvement: snappy performance, superior camera - exactly what I’d hoped Nothing would deliver.
Verdict
I genuinely wanted this brand to become the iPhone of Android. I was rooting for them. But the trajectory they’ve chosen won’t get them there - at least not with the current leadership.