Nothing Phone 2a Review: Stylish Mid-Ranger with Clean Software and Striking Design

The Nothing Phone 2a is a breath of fresh air in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a unique blend of eye-catching design, clean software, and capable performance. While it may not be the most powerful phone in its price range, it excels in other areas, making it a compelling option for those seeking something different.

Design & Build:

The Nothing Phone 2a immediately stands out with its transparent back and Glyph Interface, a series of LED lights that can be customized for notifications, charging status, and more. The phone feels solid in hand, thanks to its aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass protection on both front and back. While it lacks an official IP rating, it feels well-built and durable.

Display:

The 6.55-inch OLED display is bright and vibrant, with excellent color reproduction and contrast. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, making everyday use a pleasure. The screen is easily readable in sunlight, and the in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable.

Performance:

Powered by the Snapdragon 778G+ chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Nothing Phone 2a handles everyday tasks and multitasking with ease. While it might not be the best choice for demanding gamers, it can run most games at medium to high settings without any major issues. The phone comes with 128GB or 256GB of storage, which should be ample for most users.

Camera:

The dual rear camera system, consisting of a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide sensor, delivers impressive results in good lighting conditions. Photos are sharp, detailed, and have good dynamic range. The camera app is simple to use and offers various shooting modes, including a dedicated night mode that improves low-light photography.

Battery Life:

The 4500mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use. It supports 45W wired charging, which can top up the phone quickly, but unfortunately, it lacks wireless charging.

Software & User Experience:

The Nothing Phone 2a runs on Nothing OS, a near-stock Android experience with a few unique touches, such as the Glyph Interface and custom widgets. The software is clean, smooth, and free of bloatware, making it a joy to use. Nothing has also committed to providing three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, ensuring that the phone remains up-to-date.

Connectivity & Additional Features:

The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. It also features stereo speakers, which deliver loud and clear sound. However, there’s no headphone jack or expandable storage.

Buying Recommendation:

The Nothing Phone 2a is ideal for those seeking a unique and stylish mid-range phone with clean software and a good overall experience. It’s perfect for everyday users, social media enthusiasts, and casual photographers.

Pros:

• Unique and eye-catching design
• Clean and smooth software experience
• Bright and vibrant display
• Good camera performance in daylight
• Solid battery life

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• Not the most powerful chipset
• Limited low-light camera performance

Overall:

The Nothing Phone 2a is a refreshing take on the mid-range smartphone, offering a unique blend of style, substance, and software. It’s not perfect, but its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a solid choice for those seeking something different.