Nothing Phone (2a) Review // One Month Later!

Summary

The Nothing Phone 2A is praised for its budget-friendly price, sleek design, and impressive 120Hz display, despite being made mostly of plastic. It offers a smooth software experience with a large battery life, but compromises include mediocre performance with a MediaTek chipset, lack of wireless charging, and subpar camera quality. The review suggests the 2A is a great choice for those prioritizing design, display, and battery over high-performance photography and wireless charging.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Nothing Phone 2A is a budget smartphone with a lower price point than previous Nothing models.
• 🔄 The phone uses more plastic in its construction compared to its predecessors, but the overall design is considered the best in the lineup.
• 🎨 The design features a new center camera module, giving the phone a unique look and reducing wobbles when placed on a flat surface.
• 📲 The front of the phone has the thinnest bezels of any Nothing phone to date, with a symmetrical design.
• 🔋 The Phone 2A has the largest battery capacity of any Nothing phone, offering impressive battery life with 25-35% left after a day of use.
• 🖥 The device comes with a 120 Hz fluid display, which is considered top-notch for its price range.
• 🤖 The software experience mirrors that of the higher-end Nothing phones, with the same features and optimizations.
• 🔧 Performance-wise, the Phone 2A is on par with the nearly two-year-old Phone 1, using a MediaTek Dimensity chipset.
• 🔌 A notable compromise is the lack of wireless charging, a feature present in the original Nothing phone.
• 📷 The camera quality is a significant compromise, struggling with motion blur and less-than-ideal performance in various lighting conditions.
• 💰 Despite its shortcomings, the Phone 2A offers great value for the price, especially for those who prioritize design, display, and battery life over camera capabilities.

Q & A

What is the Nothing Phone 2A's position in the Nothing phone lineup in terms of pricing?

The Nothing Phone 2A is the new budget smartphone in the Nothing lineup, undercutting all of their previous releases.

What material changes were made in the Nothing Phone 2A's design compared to its predecessors?

The Nothing Phone 2A uses more plastic than its predecessors, with the entire back panel and side rails being made out of plastic instead of metal.

How does the Nothing Phone 2A's design compare to the previous Nothing phones?

The Nothing Phone 2A is considered to have the best design in the lineup, with slightly rounded edges for comfort and a new center camera module that gives it a distinct look.

What are the standout features of the Nothing Phone 2A's display?

The Nothing Phone 2A has a 120 Hz fluid display that is brighter than the Phone 1's display, reaching up to 1100 nits in high brightness mode and 1300 nits for HDR content.

How does the software experience on the Nothing Phone 2A compare to other Nothing phones?

The software experience on the Nothing Phone 2A is identical to that on the Phone 1 and Phone 2, including the Nothing OS widgets, lock screen animations, and Quick Settings panel.

What is the battery life like on the Nothing Phone 2A?

The Nothing Phone 2A has the largest battery capacity of any Nothing phone to date, and most users can expect to end the day with 25 to 35% battery left after around 5 hours of screen-on time.

What are the compromises made in the Nothing Phone 2A's performance?

The Nothing Phone 2A uses a MediaTek Dimensity chipset, which results in performance similar to the Phone 1, but with occasional lags in booting up, using the camera app, and handling animations under heavy load.

Why was the lack of wireless charging on the Nothing Phone 2A a significant compromise?

The lack of wireless charging is a compromise because previous Nothing phones, even at lower price points, included this feature, and its absence may indicate a shift in Nothing's future phone offerings.

How do the camera capabilities of the Nothing Phone 2A compare to its price?

While the camera capabilities may not be outstanding for $350, they may not meet the needs of users who require high-quality photos, especially in less than optimal conditions or of moving subjects.

What alternative did the reviewer consider to improve the Nothing Phone 2A's camera performance?

The reviewer resorted to using a GCam port to improve image quality, but noted the lack of support for the ultra-wide camera and the inconvenience of needing to unlock the phone to use it.

What is the reviewer's final verdict on the Nothing Phone 2A for users who prioritize camera quality?

The reviewer suggests that the Nothing Phone 2A may not be the best choice for users who value high-quality photos and videos, given its camera limitations.