Sometimes, breaking the rules and taking risks is necessary. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend Nothing’s New York City product drop and experience their latest offerings, the Nothing Ear 2s and the Nothing Phone 2. As a longtime Verizon customer, I was initially concerned about compatibility and the ability to fully test out the Nothing Phone 2 with my Verizon SIM card. However, I discovered that as long as I had an active SIM card from another Verizon-certified phone, I could simply insert it into the Nothing Phone 2 and start using it without any immediate issues. Surprisingly, the phone’s mobile data, calls, and texts worked seamlessly, including RCS messaging, and I didn’t receive any notifications scolding me for using an unauthorized device.
Over the course of a week, I decided to use the Nothing Phone 2 as my primary device, and I noticed that it consistently displayed network indicators for 4G, 4G Plus, 5G, and 5G Ultra Wideband. Additionally, the VoLTE (voice over LTE) icon was present most of the time. Although I’m uncertain what exactly 4G Plus represents in Verizon’s network, the phone seemed to adapt and function well regardless. I traveled around Manhattan and Brooklyn without experiencing any noticeable service disruptions. However, it’s important to note that this was in New York City, where 5G coverage is widespread, albeit often underwhelming.
The experience may vary in other locations, primarily due to the absence of support for Verizon’s band 13 in the Nothing Phone 2. Band 13 is a crucial frequency band for Verizon’s 4G LTE network, especially in rural areas. Therefore, if you venture away from cities and 5G coverage, you’re likely to encounter signal loss and connectivity issues. This limitation is also a significant reason why Verizon is unlikely to fully certify Nothing’s latest phone.
As a tech reviewer, I usually have access to multiple phones, so I wasn’t overly concerned about using the Nothing Phone 2 in the city. However, if I were to travel to more remote areas or visit my father in New York’s “North Country,” I wouldn’t take the risk and rely solely on this phone. Despite its limitations, I found the glyph system, displayed through LEDs on the phone, to be somewhat gimmicky but occasionally useful. In particular, I assigned the upper right LED to indicate when I receive text messages, which is handy when my phone is flipped over.
Beyond the lighting and network limitations, I’m generally impressed with the Nothing Phone 2. It boasts excellent battery life, a vibrant display (and I’m quite particular about screens), and software tweaks that enhance the user experience. One standout feature is the ability to place quick settings toggles directly on the lock screen, which has proven to be surprisingly convenient. While I’ve only scratched the surface of the phone’s capabilities, it has performed smoothly during my time with it. Moreover, the camera’s image quality is satisfactory in most situations.
In conclusion, if you’re a Verizon customer curious about trying out the Nothing Phone 2, it is indeed possible to use it on Verizon’s network. You can make calls, send texts, and access data without major issues. However, it’s essential to have another certified phone on hand in case you venture outside 5G coverage areas or need reliable connectivity. While Nothing’s device may not provide the same level of signal strength and compatibility as phones that support Verizon’s full range of bands, it still offers unique features and a solid user experience. It’s worth considering if you’re willing to embrace its limitations and have a backup plan in place.
