Can You Build a Nothing Phone From AliExpress Parts?

Nothing’s own Phone 2 team tries to build the device from AliExpress parts and ends up spending more than a used unit costs on eBay.

• AliExpress Nothing Phone 2 build cost $843 total — more expensive than buying one on eBay.
• Main board alone cost $180; display was $116, making components the dominant cost drivers.
• Half the required parts were no longer listed on AliExpress at time of filming.
• The assembled phone failed to boot; a damaged mainboard from rough parts handling was the suspected cause.
• Final build had non-functional fingerprint sensor and wireless charging, plus a replaced top speaker and mainboard.
• Nothing’s actual production line is kept highly humid to capture dust and prevent contamination — DIY assembly has no such controls.
• A graphite tab in Phone 2’s back was a deliberate thermal decision to dissipate heat faster than leaving an air gap.

2026-02-24 · Watch on YouTube