Nothing Phone 2a: A Budget Phone With Unique Design and Impressive Features
ZDNET’s Key Takeaways
- Nothing Phone 2a is only available in the US via a GitHub developer program.
- It’s a slick-looking smartphone for the price, with a unique interface, a light-up back cover, and solid battery.
- The camera quality might not meet the expectations of some users, and it lacks retail presence in the US.
Nothing, the company founded by ex-OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has introduced a new smartphone called the Phone 2a. Priced at $349, it is regarded as one of the best budget phones available in the market. However, it’s disappointing news for customers in the United States as the Phone 2a will only be sold via a developer program, not through traditional retail channels.
The Phone 2a is designed as a budget version of its predecessor, the Phone 2. While customers in the United Kingdom and India can easily purchase the Phone 2a from Nothing’s official website and other retailers, customers in the United States will have limited availability. Shipping a new smartphone to the US market has always been a challenge, so it’s not surprising that the Phone 2a won’t have an official retail presence in the country. Nevertheless, the Phone 2a offers great value for money, and it is a shame that customers in the US won’t have direct access to it.
When it comes to design, the Nothing Phone 2a offers a complete package which is uncommon for phones under $400. It features a transparent glass back that allows users to see the components, including the NFC coil. The Phone 2a stands out with design elements like ribbons of light, a unique interface that utilizes shapes like squares and rectangles, and a small red accent. The white variant, with more visible internal components, is especially appealing.
One of the standout features of the Phone 2a is the Glyph Interface on the back. It allows users to set timers, track their Uber status, play light patterns for notifications, and sync the lights to their music through Glyph Composer. It’s a unique and fun addition that sets the Phone 2a apart from other handsets.
Considering the price range, the display of the Phone 2a is impressive. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of 1,300 nits, usually seen on phones costing at least $600. The Phone 2a also incorporates a fingerprint reader under the screen, which is on par with flagship phones in terms of performance.
Under the hood, the Phone 2a is powered by a custom Dimensity 7200 Pro processor, optimized by Nothing in collaboration with MediaTek. This optimization results in reliable speed and impressive battery life, a notable improvement from previous budget MediaTek chips. With 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the Phone 2a delivers solid everyday performance for both basic tasks and gaming.
In terms of battery life, the Phone 2a is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that can easily last a full day of heavy usage. In less intensive usage scenarios, it can even carry on into the second day. The device supports 45W fast charging, compensating for the absence of wireless charging functionality.
The Phone 2a comes with Android 14 out of the box and features Nothing OS 2.5. Nothing’s custom interface embraces the brand’s dot matrix design philosophy, allowing users to swap out fonts and app shortcuts with the unique black-and-white dot-based iconography. This UI provides a lighter and friendlier experience compared to other popular interfaces.
Nothing promises three years of major OS upgrades and four years of security updates for the Phone 2a, exceeding the norm for sub-$400 phones. This makes it an excellent choice for users who plan to use their phone for an extended period.
While the Phone 2a excels in various areas, its camera quality is the primary drawback. The 50MP main camera and ultra-wide camera provide satisfactory results in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low-light situations. Nothing has incorporated features like Ultra HDR, Motion Capture, and Portrait Optimizer, but they don’t elevate the camera experience to the level of other $350 smartphones.
ZDNET’s Buying Advice
Consumers in the $400 price range have various options for a new phone, including the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, OnePlus 12R, and Google Pixel 7a. Each device has its own strengths, such as the Pixel’s camera or Samsung’s display quality.
However, the Nothing Phone 2a stands out as a solid and unique device worth considering. Despite Nothing not being an established player in the smartphone industry, the Phone 2a impresses with its blend of specifications and out-of-the-box design. It is undoubtedly one of the best budget phones available. If it is available in your market, the Phone 2a is definitely worth considering.
