Nothing Phone 2a review: a standout budget Android
It seems like the Nothing Phone 2a is making waves in the budget Android market with its unique design, software features, and performance. Priced at £319 (€329/A$529), it aims to offer a novel experience without breaking the bank, compared to its higher-end counterpart, the Phone 2 priced at £579.
One of its standout features is its cool, semi-transparent design, which allows users to see interesting design elements, including the trademark "glyph" LEDs, through the back of the phone. The device boasts a big, smooth, and bright OLED screen on the front, contributing to its overall appeal.
In addition to its funky design, the Phone 2a promises fun software features, decent performance, and long battery life, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers looking for something different in the Android market.
The Nothing Phone 2a offers a unique feature with its three LED strips on the back that light up in complex patterns synced to tones, alerts, timers, and charging. This adds a fun and customizable element to the user experience. Unlike its higher-end counterpart, the Phone 2, the Phone 2a is made of plastic instead of metal and glass. The LEDs are located only in the top section of the phone around the central camera module but still offer a range of functionalities including displaying volume, charge percentage, timers, and acting as a music visualizer.
However, the plastic back of the phone tends to attract dust easily and is prone to scratches.
Here are the specifications of the Nothing Phone 2a:
- Screen: 6.7-inch 120Hz FHD+ OLED display with a pixel density of 394ppi
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
- RAM: 8GB or 12GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Operating system: Nothing OS 2.5 based on Android 14
- Camera: 50MP main and ultrawide cameras, 32MP selfie camera
- Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)
- Water resistance: IP54 rating (splash resistant)
- Dimensions: 162 x 76.3 x 8.9mm
- Weight: 190g
Overall, the Nothing Phone 2a offers a compelling combination of unique design elements, fun software features, and decent specifications at a budget-friendly price point.
The Nothing Phone 2a offers impressive charging speeds, reaching 80% in just 39 minutes and achieving a full charge in under an hour when using a 45W power adapter (not included).
Under the hood, the Phone 2a is powered by a mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip, which delivers respectable performance for its price point. The software experience is smooth and responsive, with apps loading quickly and games running well. While it may not match the performance of higher-end phones, it handles most tasks smoothly, although it can get quite hot during extended gaming sessions.
In terms of battery life, the Nothing Phone 2a performs well, lasting around 52 hours or two days between charges with general use, including several hours of 5G usage per day. However, gaming tends to drain the battery more quickly compared to high-end smartphones, consuming approximately 18% of the battery per hour when playing demanding games like Diablo Immortal. Overall, the Phone 2a offers a solid combination of performance, charging speed, and battery life at its price point in the budget segment.
The Nothing Phone 2a features ribbons and patterns visible through its plastic back, adding visual interest along with the LEDs, contributing to its unique design aesthetic.
Nothing claims that the phone's battery maintains at least 90% of its original capacity for at least 1,000 full charge cycles, ensuring long-term battery performance. Additionally, the Phone 2a is designed to be repairable in the UK, with screen replacements priced at £70 and battery replacements at £36, with additional costs for labor and shipping by Nothing.
In terms of materials and sustainability, the device is constructed using recycled aluminum, copper, plastic, steel, tin, and other materials, which account for 20% of the phone's weight. It has a carbon footprint of 52kg CO2 equivalent. Nothing emphasizes its commitment to sustainability by publishing sustainability reports and operating a trade-in scheme, allowing users to recycle their old devices responsibly. This focus on sustainability aligns with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly technology options.
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