Nothing, the company that brought us the eye-catching Phone (1), and (2), is back with the Phone (2a) – a budget-friendly Android device with standout design and capable specs. While it offers a compelling mix of style and performance. Let’s dive into the details.

Design and Display: When Your Phone is a Conversation Starter

The Nothing Phone (2a) inherits its predecessor’s head-turning aesthetics. The transparent back, showcasing internal components and a mesmerizing “Glyph” LED light design, sets it apart in a sea of lookalike phones. This transparent aesthetic does come with minor compromises: a slippery plastic back that’s a fingerprint magnet, and a design that, while I find it super cool, might not scream the same to everyone.

The build itself feels solid. An aluminum frame adds rigidity, and while it lacks the flagship-tier water resistance of some competitors, it does sport an IP54 rating for basic dust and splash protection. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is bright, vibrant, and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling, though it isn’t the highest resolution in its class with a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. Its 2K resolution is sharp; it feels responsive, and I didn’t have many issues using outdoors, in the blazing Dubai sun.

The refresh rate automatically adjusts up to 120Hz for buttery-smooth scrolling and gaming, then scales down for things like videos to save battery. The display also uses special dimming tech to reduce eye strain when you’re using the phone for long stretches.

The Phone (2a) has some of the thinnest bezels you’ll find on a Nothing phone, meaning the screen takes up more of the front for a truly immersive experience.

Performance

Okay, let’s be honest, the Nothing Phone (2a) isn’t going to win any benchmark scores, so I’ll skip those. But here’s the good news: who cares? The custom MediaTek 7200 Pro chipset with its 12GB of RAM surprised me with its capabilities. Everything from scrolling through apps to your daily social media fix is smooth as butter. Everyday tasks like app switching and browsing feel snappy.

The Nothing Phone (2a)’s curves and flat sides make it a great phone for landscape gaming! I had a blast tearing up the streets in Asphalt 9: Legends – smooth graphics, no annoying lag, even Genshin Impact ran without major hiccups, a feat for a budget-friendly device to be honest! However, let’s be real: this isn’t a beast meant to run the most demanding games on ultra settings.

Software

Nothing knows how to infuse personality into software. While it’s Android 14 at its core, their custom touches make the whole experience feel unique and polished. Think minimalist widgets (that compass on your lockscreen is brilliant!), playful ringtones, and even the ability to design your own with the Glyph Composer – it has a touch of fun futurism that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Now, let’s talk about those Glyph lights. Love them or find them gimmicky, they’re undeniably eye-catching. I can’t deny the charm of seeing my phone flash subtly for notifications, or the volume bar visualized on the back. Plus, there’s something satisfying about flipping your phone face-down to let the Glyph lights tell you if something really needs your attention.

Phone (2a) reimagines the iconic Glyph Interface with a new trio light configuration and 15 functions. Assign different patterns as ringtones for individual contacts
or apps so you can be one step ahead of who’s getting in touch. When selected contacts or apps send you a notification, a light will shine persistently until you’ve opened it, serving as a gentle reminder that something important has come through.

Beyond notifications, the Glyph Interface also serves as a timer, as your camera shutter countdown or in collaboration with third-party apps. Allows you to keep an eye on the progress of your delivery service or taxi ride without you having to be on your screen. Or use the Glyph Interface for checking volume, as it visualises the level of your audio when you turn it up or down.

Nothing promises solid software support for the Phone (2a): three years of Android upgrades and a generous four years of security updates. While it’s not quite as long as some pricier competitors, it’s definitely better than most phones in this price range.

The Nothing Phone (2a) has some clever features under the hood that work behind the scenes to keep it feeling fast and responsive:

• Smart Clean: This automatically tidies up unused files and ‘reshuffles’ data to improve performance when the phone’s not in active use. Think of it like defragging your old PC hard drive – but with AI making it smarter.
• HyperEngine 5.0: This tech helps games run smoothly without eating battery life. It works by optimizing how game graphics are rendered, reducing the load on your processor.
• NTFS Optimization: If you transfer files between your Phone (2a) and a Windows computer, this speeds things up noticeably.
• RAM Booster: Think of this as a ‘boost mode’ for multitasking. It temporarily uses some storage space to keep more apps open in the background, so switching between them is snappy.

Overall, the software is a win: It’s clean, charming, and has potential to evolve in interesting ways.

Cameras: Capable

Don’t underestimate the Phone (2a) – it takes bright, vibrant photos that’ll look great on your social feeds. You get a dual rear camera setup – a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide. Daylight photos are generally good, with decent detail and color accuracy. However, I did notice occasional inconsistencies in color rendition between the two lenses, but nothing really major in the few cases I came across.

Low-light is where budget phones often stumble, but the Phone 2a holds its own as well. Let’s be real here, unless you’re a hardcore photo enthusiast, the Nothing Phone 2a’s camera is more than good enough. It might even edge out other phones in the same category. Video capture tops out at 4K 30fps, with reliable image stabilization. It’s enough for most people.

Behind the Scenes: The TrueLens Engine

Nothing didn’t just focus on hardware. Their TrueLens Engine is loaded with smart software that makes your photos look their best. Here are some highlights:

• Ultra XDR: Captures images with realistic lighting and detail, even in super challenging conditions.
• Motion Capture: Never get blurry photos of moving targets – the phone automatically adjusts for crystal-clear shots.
• Night Mode: Low-light photos get brighter and sharper, without looking artificial.
• Portrait Optimizer: Group shots look fantastic, with natural colors and great detail, even on faces further away.

Battery

Battery life is another strong point. The Nothing Phone (2a) packs a seriously impressive 5,000 mAh battery, a capacity that outpaces many pricier competitors. This translates into real-world longevity, easily getting you through a full day of moderate use and potentially stretching even longer. While it lacks the blazing-fast charging of flagship phones, its 45W wired charging still makes for speedy top-ups when needed (though frustratingly, no charger is included in the box). Overall, the Phone (2a) delivers a battery experience that punches above its price point, offering peace of mind for those who hate constantly searching for a charger.

The Verdict: A Lot to Love

Nothing’s shaken up the smartphone world with bold designs and big ideas. While their earlier phones put them on the map, they still catered to the premium market. To reach a wider audience, Nothing needs to play at different price points, where needs and budgets shift. That’s where the Nothing Phone (2a) comes in. It’s about delivering the core Nothing experience without unnecessary extras that drive up cost. The design is still undeniably ‘Nothing,’ and the Glyph lights are now streamlined for distraction-free notifications. The Nothing Phone (2a) strikes a smart balance. It offers a unique, user-focused experience at a price point many more people can reach.

Price

Phone (2a) is available in Black and Milk colors, with two models to choose from: 8GB/128GB for AED 1,199, and 12GB/256GB for AED 1,399 in the UAE.