Nothing Phone 2a Review, Unboxing: Best budget buy? Check pros and cons, price, and full specifications

Navigating the world of Android smartphones isn't exactly straightforward. At the higher end, you have a ton of premium features, from foldable screens to built-in pens and ultra-zoom cameras.

But in the mid-range category, it's often a different story, with compromises and uninspired design.

Well, that's where London-based smartphone maker Nothing has stepped in, aiming to bring some excitement to the scene with its unique phones and accessories.

And now, they've brought their latest creation, the Nothing Phone 2a, to India. I've been using it for the past few weeks, and I'm ready to share my thoughts on this very interesting tool.

Nothing Phone 2A price in India

There's nothing new in the smartphone game, but with the Phone 2A, they've made some noticeable adjustments from their previous models.

The most important change is the price. Nothing Phone 2A price starts at Rs. Rs 23,999, which makes it clearly more accessible in terms of cost.

The 8GB RAM with 256GB storage variant is available at Rs. 25,999, while the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model can be yours for Rs. 27,999.

Nothing Phone 2A Unboxing

The packaging of the Nothing Phone 2A stands out from the rest, making a notable first impression in a sea of generic boxes.

This attention to detail also extends to the included USB cable and SIM tool, all of which match the phone's semi-transparent aesthetic.

Nothing Phone 2A design and glyph interface

I was sent the black version of the Nothing Phone 2A, which I think does a better job of showing off the insides of the phone than the white option.

But, no matter what color you choose, the back panel easily attracts dust and is prone to scratches.

Now, the most obvious change from the previous Nothing phones is the position of the rear camera module.

The Phone 2a features a horizontally aligned dual-camera setup, housed in a tall, pill-shaped module.

This is one of the strangest camera designs I've seen on a smartphone and it reminds me of the Minions from Despicable Me.

Unlike the Nothing Phone 2, it is made from plastic instead of metal and glass. The Glyph interface LEDs have also been streamlined, with only three strips now encircling the camera module at the top.

And honestly, you really need to, as these LEDs are still capable of putting on a light show. You can use it for timers, volume adjustments, and even music playback.

Look, I'll admit that even after three generations of Nothing phones, this feature still feels gimmicky. But at the same time, it adds a fun and unique element to the device.

I really enjoy the surprise reactions when the back of the phone lights up unexpectedly, and I love turning the phone upside down and watching the lights illuminate.

Also Read: CMF Neckband Pro and CMF Buds Buy Nothing: First Impressions

nothing phone 2a software

While the glyph lights on the back are amusing, I found the improvements on the front of the phone far more appealing.

You see, one of the biggest improvements introduced with last year's Nothing Phone 2 was the deeper integration of its design into software, a trend that continues with the Phone 2A.

It adopts a distinctive digital aesthetic, offering a mix of retro charm with dot matrix elements along with a futuristic feel with clever use of color on a predominantly monochrome palette.

Now, it may be styled to look like normal Android, but it encourages you to fill your home screen with large folders and widgets for a more interesting experience.

As far as software policy is concerned, the Nothing Phone 2A will get three Android OS upgrades and four years of security patches.

It doesn't reach the level of support provided by Samsung or Google which are a bit expensive, but it is still better than most in this price category.

nothing phone 2a specifications

Now, let's turn our attention to the hardware, and it's worth noting that the Phone 2A has expertly balanced its specifications to produce a device that is not only attractive but also well-equipped.

Take the 6.7-inch AMOLED display, for example. It has a 120-Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 1,300 nits.

In my testing, I had no problems reading the screen outdoors, and with its 2K resolution, the display is not only sharp but feels responsive as well.

It gives the most satisfying haptic feedback I have felt in any smartphone priced under Rs 25,000, giving precise tactile feedback wherever you tap.

The screen quality is great for video playback too, and the inclusion of a powerful stereo speaker setup is a definite plus.

nothing phone 2a processor

Performance is another specialty of this phone. Whether I was flipping between apps or gaming on Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings, I didn't face any hiccups.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset under the hood is a real workhorse, holding its own in benchmarks.

I'm using the 8GB RAM, 256GB storage model, but there's also a 12GB RAM version for those who want a little more firepower.

nothing phone 2a battery

Nothing also gives the Phone 2A a 5,000-mAh battery, which should provide excellent endurance. Even on days filled with heavy use, I often find myself with 30 percent battery life at bedtime.

On mild days, the battery level is usually around 50 percent by the end of the day, which comfortably increases for a portion of the next day on just a single charge.

Talking about charging, let me tell you that the box does not come with a charger. However, when I used a 45W third-party adapter, I was able to get a full charge in about an hour.

nothing phone 2a camera

(Camera samples can be found in the video)

Then the Nothing Phone 2A has a total of three cameras: a pair of 50-megapixel lenses on the back and a 32-megapixel selfie camera, which closely matches the more expensive Nothing Phone 2.

The main camera captures pretty solid photos with good dynamic range. Colors look quite natural, and it handles high-contrast situations very well.

Portrait shots also turned out good, with sharp edge detection and pleasing background blur.

The ultra-wide camera produces good photos, although images can appear soft around the edges and colors don't match the main camera's output.

One notable drawback is the lack of a telephoto lens, which means shots zoomed in beyond 2x will lack detail. Overall, I wouldn't label it a top camera system in its category but it is reliable for your daily photography needs.

Nothing Phone 2A review: Verdict

The Nothing Phone 2A is a completely reliable device that is ready to keep up with your demands and looks great while doing so.

And of course, it faces stiff competition from a number of similarly priced models in the market, such as the Poco X6 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro, many of which offer similar or better performance.

Still, the Nothing Phone 2a stands out with its unique design and fun software, qualities not often found in the mid-range segment.

I think this would be an easy choice for most people, whether they're on a tight budget or have the luxury of spending more.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nothing Phone 2A

professional:

Unique Design: The semi-transparent aesthetic and quirky, Minion-like camera design set it apart from other mid-range options.

Glyph Interface: The Glyph LED, while gimmicky to some, adds a unique, fun element with practical uses like notifications and music playback.

Better access: Starting from Rs. Rs 23,999, it is more affordable than previous models, making it a more accessible option for a wider audience.

Notable Packaging and Accessories: The attention to detail extends to the packaging and includes accessories, all of which match the phone's design, enhancing the unboxing experience.

Display Quality: Features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120-Hz refresh rate and 1,300 nits peak brightness, providing a sharp, responsive, and bright viewing experience.

Battery Life: The 5,000-mAh battery provides excellent endurance, comfortably lasting all day on heavy usage and lasting well into the next day even on lighter days.

Camera Performance: It has a reliable camera system with solid photo quality from its 50-megapixel lens, which is capable of capturing natural colors and handling high-contrast scenes well.

Shortcoming:

Dust and scratch risk: The back panel attracts dust and is prone to scratches.

Plastic construction: Unlike its predecessor, the Phone 2A opts for plastic instead of metal and glass, which may reduce the premium feel for some users.

Charger not included: Not having a charger in the box may be inconvenient, requiring additional purchases for faster charging.