Nothing Phone (2) to Feature Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 Processor
There has been a lot of speculation about the type of system-on-chip (SoC) that the Nothing Phone (2) will carry, but a recent slip-up by a Qualcomm executive on social media seems to have put those rumors to rest. The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor will power the upcoming phone from Carl Pei’s company, which contradicts previous rumors that it may feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC instead.
Rumors of Flagship Status
The news that the Nothing Phone (2) will feature a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip has led many to believe that the phone will be a true flagship device instead of a mid-range one like the original Nothing Phone (1). Carl Pei himself was vague in his announcement of the Phone (2), hinting that it would have superior specs compared to the initial model, but not outright calling it a flagship.
Confirmation came during the now concluded MWC 2023 event when Nothing revealed that the Phone (2) would feature a Snapdragon 8 series chip, but did not reveal the generation. However, shortly after, Qualcomm’s SVP and GM of Mobile, Compute, and XR business unit, Alex Katouzian, congratulated Carl Pei on the Phone (2) and their partnership in a LinkedIn post. The post was later edited to remove the key info, stating that the processor would be the Gen 1 and not the Gen 2, but a screenshot was able to capture the revealed information.
The Pros and Cons of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 Chip
The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip is a very powerful processor, but it is not the latest and greatest from Qualcomm. Some people have been both excited and disappointed to hear this news. However, if the Nothing Phone (2) is to remain a cost-effective option, it will have to cut corners somewhere. Having this powerful, but not top-of-the-line, chipset on the device may help keep the price down to mid-range levels, and it is a compromise that potential buyers may have to accept.
