Nothing Phone (2a) Review: Style Meets Substance in the Mid-Range

In a smartphone market often criticized for its homogeneity, Nothing has consistently dared to be different. With its transparent designs and the distinctive Glyph Interface, the company has carved out a unique niche. The Nothing Phone (2a) takes this philosophy and applies it to the highly competitive mid-range segment, aiming to deliver a device that not only stands out visually but also offers compelling performance and features for its price. This in-depth review explores whether the Nothing Phone (2a) successfully blends style with substance, making it a viable alternative to established players.

The mid-range market is a battleground where value for money is paramount. Consumers in this segment seek devices that offer a great everyday experience without breaking the bank. The Nothing Phone (2a) enters this arena with a clear proposition: a unique design, a clean software experience, and a focus on essential features. Our comprehensive testing reveals a device that largely delivers on these promises, offering a refreshing choice for those tired of generic smartphone designs.

Design and Build Quality: Unmistakably Nothing

The most striking aspect of the Nothing Phone (2a) is its design. It retains the transparent aesthetic that has become Nothing's signature, allowing a glimpse into the phone's internal components. While simplified compared to the Phone (1) and Phone (2), the Phone (2a) still features the iconic Glyph Interface, a series of LED strips on the back that light up for notifications, charging status, and more. This not only serves as a unique visual element but also offers a functional way to interact with the phone without constantly checking the screen.

The Phone (2a) features a polycarbonate back and frame, which helps keep the cost down while maintaining a solid feel. Measuring 162.9 x 75.6 x 8.6mm and weighing 190 grams, it's a comfortable size and weight for most users. The device is IP54 rated for splash and dust resistance, offering a decent level of protection against everyday elements. The build quality feels robust, and the unique design ensures it stands out in a sea of similar-looking smartphones.

The front features a flat display with symmetrical bezels, a detail often overlooked in this price segment. This attention to detail contributes to a more premium and immersive viewing experience. The Phone (2a) is available in Black and White, both of which highlight the transparent elements and the Glyph Interface.

Display: Vibrant and Smooth

The Nothing Phone (2a) boasts a 6.7-inch flexible AMOLED display with a resolution of 1084 x 2412 pixels (FHD+). The AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making content consumption a joy. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations are incredibly smooth, providing a fluid user experience that rivals more expensive devices.

Brightness levels are impressive for a mid-range device, reaching a peak brightness of 1300 nits. This ensures good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering decent scratch resistance. The punch-hole cutout for the front camera is centrally located and unobtrusive, contributing to an immersive viewing experience.

The always-on display feature provides glanceable information without needing to fully wake the screen, and its customization options, including integration with the Glyph Interface, add to the user experience. Overall, the Nothing Phone (2a)\'s display is a strong point, offering a premium visual experience for its price.

Performance: Dimensity 7200 Pro - A Capable Performer

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (2a) is powered by a custom-tuned MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. This processor is designed specifically for the Phone (2a) to optimize performance and power efficiency, delivering a surprisingly capable experience for a mid-range device.

In daily use, the Phone (2a) feels smooth and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking is handled well, and general navigation is fluid. While it won't break any benchmark records against flagship phones, it comfortably handles most popular games at medium to high settings. The Dimensity 7200 Pro is a significant step up from previous mid-range chips, offering a balanced performance for both everyday tasks and moderate gaming.

Nothing has also focused on optimizing the software to work seamlessly with the hardware, ensuring a consistently smooth experience. The Phone (2a) is designed for efficiency, and its performance reflects this, making it a reliable daily driver for most users.

Camera System: Dual 50MP Power

The Nothing Phone (2a) features a dual-camera setup on the rear: a 50MP main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and a 50MP ultrawide lens. The front camera is a 32MP shooter, capable of capturing detailed selfies.

The 50MP main camera, with its OIS, consistently produces sharp, well-exposed photos with good detail and natural colors in good lighting conditions. Nothing has put a lot of effort into its image processing, and it shows, with photos that are generally pleasing and ready for social media. In low-light scenarios, the main camera performs decently, managing noise well for its class.

The 50MP ultrawide camera offers a wide field of view, perfect for landscapes and group shots, and maintains good detail across the frame. The consistency between the main and ultrawide cameras in terms of color science is also commendable. The 32MP front camera captures detailed and vibrant selfies, making it suitable for video calls and self-portraits.

Video recording is supported up to 4K at 30fps on the rear cameras, and the OIS helps in producing stable footage. While it may not compete with flagship cameras, the Nothing Phone (2a)\'s camera system is highly capable for its price point, offering reliable performance for everyday photography and casual video recording.

Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power and Beyond

The Nothing Phone (2a) is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery, which is one of its strongest selling points. Combined with the power-efficient Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset and Nothing OS optimizations, the device delivers exceptional battery life. Most users will comfortably get a full day of heavy usage, and lighter users can easily stretch it to two days on a single charge.

In our testing, the Phone (2a) consistently provided over 9 hours of screen-on time, making it a reliable companion for long days out. Whether you're browsing, streaming, gaming, or using the Glyph Interface, the battery holds up exceptionally well, reducing battery anxiety.

When it comes to charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) supports 45W wired fast charging. While not the fastest on the market, it's very respectable for its price point, allowing the phone to charge from 0% to 50% in about 23 minutes and a full charge in just under an hour. Unfortunately, Nothing does not include a charger in the box, which is a common trend but still a minor inconvenience for some users.

Software: Clean and Intuitive Nothing OS

The Nothing Phone (2a) runs on Nothing OS 2.5, based on Android 14. Nothing OS is known for its clean, minimalist interface, near-stock Android experience, and unique visual elements that complement the hardware design. It offers a fluid and responsive user experience with minimal bloatware.

Nothing OS focuses on essential features and a streamlined user interface, avoiding unnecessary clutter. The Glyph Interface is deeply integrated into the software, allowing for customizable light patterns for notifications, charging, and even music visualization. This unique interaction method adds a layer of personalization and functionality that sets it apart from other Android skins.

Nothing has committed to three years of major Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates for the Phone (2a). While not as long as some competitors like Samsung or Google, it's a decent commitment for a mid-range device and ensures the phone remains current and secure for a considerable period.

Value Proposition and Conclusion: A Refreshing Mid-Range Choice

The Nothing Phone (2a) is a refreshing and compelling addition to the mid-range smartphone market. Its unique transparent design and functional Glyph Interface make it stand out from the crowd, offering a distinctive aesthetic that is both stylish and practical. Beyond the looks, it delivers solid performance with the Dimensity 7200 Pro, a vibrant AMOLED display, a capable dual-camera system, and exceptional battery life.

While it may not have the absolute best camera or the fastest charging in its class, it offers a well-rounded package that excels in key areas. The clean and intuitive Nothing OS, combined with its unique hardware features, provides a user experience that feels fresh and engaging. Its competitive pricing makes it an attractive option for consumers looking for something different without compromising on essential smartphone capabilities.

For users who appreciate unique design, a clean software experience, and reliable performance at an affordable price, the Nothing Phone (2a) is an excellent choice. It successfully proves that style and substance can coexist in the mid-range, making it a strong contender for the best mid-range smartphone of 2024 for those seeking a distinctive device.