The Leaked Price of the Nothing Phone (2) Raises No Concerns

The highly anticipated launch of the Nothing Phone (2), the first flagship Android handset from the British startup, is just around the corner. As details about the phone’s specifications and release date have already surfaced, it was only a matter of time before the price of the Nothing Phone (2) made its way into the public domain.

Unsurprisingly, leaked information suggests that this premium Android phone will come with a premium price tag. It is expected to surpass the price range of mid-range devices like the Pixel 7a and its predecessor, the Phone (1). While these price points have not yet been officially confirmed, there is nothing inherently problematic about them.

According to a report from French blog Dealabs, the purported price details for the Nothing Phone (2) in the region have been obtained. The handset will be available in black and white color options and will come in two storage capacities: 256GB and 512GB.

As per the leak, the 256GB variant of the Nothing Phone (2) will reportedly be priced at €729 ($792) in the region. For those seeking higher storage capacity, the price of the 512GB model is expected to be €849 ($923).

It is important to note that European Union prices do not directly correspond to US price points. The aforementioned conversions serve as a rough estimate of the handset’s cost in the European region. However, it is worth mentioning that EU prices already include tax, whereas US prices do not.

To provide a more meaningful comparison between the two markets, it is prudent to consider an iPhone benchmark. For instance, the base model of the iPhone 14 with 128GB storage is priced at $829 (excluding tax) in the US, whereas in France, it costs €1,019 ($1,108, including tax). While Apple increased prices in Europe last year, there remains a difference of nearly $300, primarily due to tax inclusion in the EU price.

In today’s market, high-end phones, whether Android devices or iPhones, tend to come with a significant price tag. This trend is particularly prevalent amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the post-COVID and global economic conditions. Rising manufacturing and shipping costs in recent years have further contributed to the higher prices of premium smartphones. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that the Nothing Phone (2) will align with this industry reality, considering it is a flagship device from a startup.

It is worth noting that the Nothing Phone (2) will feature a mid-2022 Qualcomm flagship chip, opting for a slight compromise by not incorporating the latest Snapdragon platform found in the Galaxy S23 series. This strategic decision allows Nothing to strike a balance between delivering a top-tier performance while avoiding an exorbitant price tag comparable to Samsung’s flagship offerings.

Although Nothing’s CEO comes from OnePlus, a company that gained recognition for its “flagship-killing” devices at competitive prices, it does not necessarily imply that Nothing will follow the same pricing strategy for the Phone (2). OnePlus achieved its aggressive pricing by making compromises in various aspects of their devices. As a result, as OnePlus continued to refine and enhance its offerings, prices inevitably increased. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether Nothing will adopt a similar approach for their latest flagship.

Interestingly, Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing, reacted on Twitter to the leaked price of the Nothing Phone (2), feigning anger. However, it is challenging to ascertain the accuracy of the leaked price based solely on this response. It is possible that this reaction serves as a clever marketing tactic, with the actual prices set to be lower than the leaked information suggests.

 

 

If one were to speculate, a price point of $699 would seem reasonable for the new Phone (2) handset. Comparatively, the Pixel 7a, which offers similar capabilities, starts at $499, while the base model of the Pixel 7 flagship from the previous year was priced at $599.

It is worth noting that the original Nothing Phone (1) was competitively priced under $500, aligning with other mid-range phones in the market. This indicates that Nothing aims to strike a balance between affordability and delivering a premium experience for its customers.

As the official launch of the Nothing Phone (2) approaches, consumers eagerly await further details, including the confirmed pricing. Ultimately, the success of this flagship device will depend not only on its features and performance but also on how well it resonates with potential buyers in terms of value for money in an increasingly competitive smartphone market.