Car manufacturer Nio takes another step into the tech world with its Nio Phone 2. On paper, this smartphone is flawless.
Nio, the Chinese electric car manufacturer, has tried its gamble again with the launch of its Nio Phone 2.
The launch of a new model only 10 months after the first demonstrates a particularly aggressive strategy.
This smartphone, the successor to the model launched in September 2023, is not just a simple smartphone: it embodies the vision of a fully integrated user experience between your vehicle and your digital life.
A technical sheet that impresses, but for what purpose?
The Nio Phone 2 doesn’t skimp on technical specifications. Equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it features a 6.82-inch Samsung E7 OLED display with 2K definition and an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz (LTPO technology). The advertised maximum brightness of 2,600 nits is impressive, but remember that these figures are often to be taken with a grain of salt in real-world usage conditions. Here, we are probably talking about an HDR peak that can be reproduced in special conditions.
On the photo side, Nio is banking on a trio of high-end sensors: a 48 MP Sony LYT-T808 for the main module, accompanied by a 48 MP Sony IMX882 ultra-wide angle and a 50 MP Sony IMX890 periscopic telephoto lens offering a 2.6x optical zoom. On paper, it’s heavy, but let’s not forget that image quality depends as much on software processing as on hardware.
The 5,020 mAh battery, compatible with 80 W wired and 50 W wireless fast charging, promises comfortable autonomy.
Nio is betting on simplicity and respect for the user with its Phone 2. Unlike competitors like Xiaomi, known for their loaded software interface, Nio is promoting a refined user experience: zero pre-installed applications and zero advertising.
Car-smartphone integration
What really sets the Nio Phone 2 apart is its deep integration with the brand’s vehicles. A dedicated button on the left side of the phone controls various functions of the car. The combined use of UWB (Ultra Wide Band) and Bluetooth for the digital key function promises increased security and more precise vehicle location.
The Nio Link functionality takes this synergy even further by allowing interaction with smartphone applications directly from the car’s infotainment screen.
The natural extension of the car
Moreover, the Nio Phone is not just a simple smartphone designed by a car manufacturer, it is the extension of a global technological vision. Even before launching into telephony, Nio had developed its own artificial intelligence, embodied by NOMI, the AI assistant integrated into the dashboard of its electric vehicles. This round assistant, capable of changing facial expressions and moving in interaction with the user, is really a differentiating element in China. Users like to disguise it, as we have seen.
The smartphone therefore appears as a natural extension of this ecosystem, making it possible to extend the functionalities of AI beyond the passenger compartment.
The Nio Phone 2’s SkyUI takes AI integration even further with built-in generative intelligence. NOMI has evolved to include NOMI GPT, enabling deeper natural language interactions.
While tech giants like Xiaomi are getting into the car market, Nio is going the other way. It’s a bold move in an ultra-competitive and mature smartphone market. With a starting price of 6,499 yuan (around 825 euros), the Nio Phone 2 is clearly positioned in the high-end segment.
Nio is present in some European countries, but not in France. We are waiting for the arrival of a brand from the same group: Firefly.
If the launch of Firefly were to take place primarily in Europe, China will ultimately be served firstwith cars that will be on the market by the end of 2024.
So, for now, be patient.
Source: www.frandroid.com
