London-based technology company Nothing aims to disrupt the budget smartphone market with its latest Android offering. Priced at £319 (€329/A$529), the Phone 2a seeks to incorporate the appealing design and intrigue of its higher-end counterparts at a more affordable cost compared to the £579 Phone 2.
Maintaining Nothing’s distinctive semi-transparent design, the Phone 2a features a large OLED screen on the front and a see-through back showcasing unique design elements, including signature “glyph” LEDs. While constructed with plastic instead of the Phone 2’s metal and glass, the Phone 2a’s LEDs are positioned around the central camera module, offering various patterns for notifications, volume, charge percentage, timers, and a music visualizer.
The phone’s specifications include a 6.7-inch 120Hz FHD+ OLED screen, MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor, 8 or 12GB RAM, and 128 or 256GB storage. Operating on Nothing OS 2.5 (based on Android 14), it boasts a 50MP main and ultrawide camera, a 32MP selfie camera, and connectivity features like 5G, eSIM, wifi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS. With an IP54 splash-resistant rating, the Phone 2a weighs 190g and has dimensions of 162 x 76.3 x 8.9mm.
Internally, the Phone 2a houses a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip, offering satisfactory performance for its price range. Despite heating during gaming, the phone demonstrates smooth operation for most tasks, with a commendable battery life of approximately 52 hours under general use.
In terms of sustainability, Nothing emphasizes the Phone 2a’s repairability, with affordable screen replacements and batteries. The device incorporates recycled materials, accounting for 20% of its weight, and has a carbon footprint of 52kg CO2 equivalent. The company supports sustainability through reports and a trade-in program.
Running on Nothing OS 2.5, the software provides a clutter-free experience with a unique visual design based on dot-matrix art, widgets, and icons. However, the Phone 2a falls short in software support, offering only three years of software updates and four years of bimonthly security updates, which is considered insufficient compared to industry standards.
The Phone 2a’s dual 50-megapixel rear cameras and 32MP selfie camera deliver satisfactory performance for its price range, although it may not match the quality of Google’s Pixel 6A or 7A, which are available at a slightly higher price.
In conclusion, the Nothing Phone 2a offers a compelling option in the budget phone market with its distinctive design, enjoyable software, and solid features. While the plastic build and limited software support are drawbacks, the phone provides good value for money, boasting a vibrant display, extended battery life, and an appealing design that defies its budget classification.
