TechPhonesAndroid Phones5 things I wish I knew about the Nothing Phone (2a) before buyingNothing’s more affordable phone is here, the Phone (2a), but should you buy one?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesAndroid Phones5 things I wish I knew about the Nothing Phone (2a) before buyingNothing’s more affordable phone is here, the Phone (2a), but should you buy one?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Nothing’s more affordable phone is here, the Phone (2a), but should you buy one?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Nothing)
(Image credit: Nothing)
I’ve been using the Nothing Phone (2a) for over a full week now, treating the phone as my own, learning about its highs and lows – and while a full Phone (2a) review will follow in due course, as I finesse that article, right now I’ve got five takeaway pointers if you’re among those considering buying Nothing’s new mid-range handset.
So before you go and drop £319 on a Nothing Phone (2a) pre-order, you’ve got to wonder – is it amongthe best affordable phonesyou can buy right now? There’s a fair amount of competition from the likes of Motorola, and in the slightly pricier bracket the big players, namelyGoogleandSamsung, with their respectivePixel 7aandGalaxy A53, jump front of mind.
Nothing is onto something with its standout features, though, with the brand’s higher-specPhone (2)landing a T3 coveted 5-star Award for being such a breath of fresh air. The lower-spec Phone (2a) replaces the originalPhone (1)– which it betters in many ways – and has a lot of positive factors of which many ofthe best Android phonesshould take note. Here are the headline points to contemplate:
1. I want the Milk finish most of all
(Image credit: Nothing)
(Image credit: Nothing)
The Nothing Phone (2a) comes in three finishes: Black (which I have for review); White; and a new ‘Milk’ option. All three are plastic-backed, not glass like the Nothing Phone (2), so do consider that in terms of reflective quality and sheer dust magnetism (it’s pretty significant).
It’s that last point which would make me skip the Black model, as my pockets are full of lint. Of the three options it’s the Milk one which sounds most appealing (I’m yet to see it in person, however) as the typically fully transparent rear panel is instead translucent; a more frosted look that really appeals to me.
2. It has Glyph lighting, just less of it
(Image credit: Nothing)
(Image credit: Nothing)
Early rumours had suggested that the Phone (2a) would forego Nothing’s Glyph feature – integrated light panels to each handset’s rear, which add functionality through patterns and other effects – but that’s not the case, as the handset has an arrangement of Glyph lights.
However, it’s not to the same standard as the Phone (2)’s fully featured set of lights. The (2a) model instead gets a trio of lights, all of which are up top, so there’s not the dynamic light – which would ‘fill up’ during charging – towards the base of the handset.
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Given pricing, however, it’s no major loss and certainly an understandable feature to pare down. I’m really glad it’s still in tact, as it’s such a Nothing signature feature that to forego it would have felt like giving up the brand’s identity. The full suite of features – such as Composer and Timer – are available.
3. Plasticky back is a fingerprint magnet
(Image credit: Nothing)
(Image credit: Nothing)
The Phone (2a) certainly doesn’t feel as premium as the Phone (2), as that plastic gets easily smeared with fingerprints and the reflections are considerable, but I do appreciate the curved edges which ‘soften’ the feeling on the device when in-hand.
It’s a familiar 6.7-inch size, too, and there are actually some improvements in the (2a) versus the original (2). Primarily that there’s less bezel on this mid-range handset’s display, giving it a more panel-forward aesthetic and, surely, acting as a stepping stone for the would-be Phone (3) whenever that’s revealed.
4. There’s no case or plug in the box (but the cable is cool)
(Image credit: Nothing)
(Image credit: Nothing)
As is typical for most ofthe best phonesthese days, the Nothing Phone (2a) doesn’t come with a case to protect the device in the box, nor is a plug included – so you either need to already possess one (it can charge at up to 45W too, so keep that in mind) or buy a new one separately. They cost£35 from the official Nothing.tech store.
However, what you do get in the box is a very cool-looking Nothing USB-C-to-C cable for charging, which also features a transparent aesthetic around both port ends, Nothing branding, and a nice-looking white finish (even with the Black handset). It’s all ‘very Nothing’ and goes hand in hand with the brand’s design focus.
5. I’m not sure about that camera protrusion, cute as it is
(Image credit: Nothing)
(Image credit: Nothing)
In addition to the rear plastic’s reflective quality, plus general fingerprint- and dust-magnetism, there’s a standout design feature that I think kind of defines this phone: that dual camera protrusion. The Phone (2a) therefore has a sort-ofWall-EorMinionslook about it that’s, well, cute – but I’m still on the fence about whether I actuallylikeit.
The downside is the way those protruding lenses seem to ‘push through’ the plastic rear, which in my handset gives a slightly warped look given its reflective qualities. And unlike, say, theSamsung Galaxy S24and that phone’s distinctive individual circular lens cutouts, the Phone (2a)’s curved transition into a plastic bump, for me, is visually distracting.
I’m sure the Phone (2a) will split opinion in the looks and finish department, therefore, but overall at this kind of affordable price point, and with performance that’s top quality for a mid-ranger, not to mention unique Glyph features, there’s a whole lot to love about this new Nothing handset…
Today’s best Nothing Phone (2a) deals$611.75$535.90View$639$579.76ViewNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Nothing Phone (2a) deals$611.75$535.90View$639$579.76ViewNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Nothing Phone (2a) deals
$611.75$535.90View$639$579.76ViewNo price informationCheck Amazon
$611.75$535.90View
$611.75$535.90View
$611.75$535.90View
$611.75$535.90
$535.90
$639$579.76View
$639$579.76View
$639$579.76View
$639$579.76
$579.76
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price information
No price information
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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