Nothing Phone (2a) review: A budget flagship for minimalist style

Love Nothing's pared-back style, unique transparency and distraction-free approach but can't justify the price of the Phone (2) flagship handset? I get it. And you're not alone.

I know how much Nothing's biggest fans have been clamouring for all the potential specs, renders and tidbits you can find about the Nothing Phone (2a), the latest smartphone from the London-based startup. The Phone (1) is starting to show its age, after all, given that it launched two years ago.

The good news is that the Phone (2a) isn't merely a more affordable take on the (2), it's a brilliant budget pick with its own identity and striking appeal. I've had my hands on the device since March, and I'm impressed. Most of all, I'd say this is an outrageous amount of value for the starting price of £319.

Sure, while Nothing isn't as much of a new player anymore, it's still a challenger in a smartphone market dominated by handsets from Apple and Samsung. When surveying the spec sheet, though, you'll start to see that this phone is a serious contender. And, yes, it's the design that again makes it stand out. According to Nothing, the look of the Phone (2a) "embodies the first-ever internal smartphone design concept that was created all the way back in 2020, a few months after Nothing launched".

Nothing Phone (2a)

£319 at Amazon

£319 at nothing.tech

Pros

• Great screen
• Unique and fun design
• Minimal operating system
• Simpler glyphs
• Huge battery

Cons

• Not the best cameras
• No wireless charging
• Rivals offer longer software support

Nothing Phone (2a) specs

Screen size	6.7 inches
Resolution	1084 x 2412 AMOLED (up to 120Hz)
Operating system	Android 14 (Nothing OS 2.5)
Processor	MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
Cameras	50MP wide, 50MP ultra-wide, 32MP selfie
Battery	5000mAh
Storage	128GB or 256GB
RAM	8GB or 12GB
Weight	190g
Water resistance	IP54
MicroSD slot	No

Nothing confirmed to me that the Phone (2a) is a replacement for the Phone (1). So, unless you're keen on the design of the (1) and happy to buy it second-hand, you're now looking at this handset as your starting point.

The upgrades are significant, too. It offers a new look (now in Black, White, or "Milk" colours), improved performance, a better battery (Nothing's biggest in any of its phones so far), a larger and brighter display (it beats the flagship in typical brightness, in fact), an upgraded front camera and the brand's lightest phone so far. It's also better equipped to deal with the weather (it now has an IP54 rating, up from IP53), although this spec won't match the IP ratings you can get from Apple or Google.

These are changes that make it feel like a better phone in several ways, and while it has a slimmed-down Glyph Interface and no wireless charging, these aren't exclusions that make a huge difference on a day-to-day basis.

This is a phone with a specific look. Yes, it's evident it's made by Nothing – the transparent back is the obvious giveaway. Yet nobody's going to confuse it with Phone (1) or (2) and it looks far more interesting than anything else in its price tier.

The design is full of soft rounded edges, reminiscent of a friendly cartoon character, complete with the parallel cameras serving as its expressive eyes (it's very WALL-E, or Minion-esque). I can see it being a bit divisive but I'm a fan of the camera housing. It's unusual but also sleek and low-profile – the phone looks eye-catching when lying face down but also stays flat when the screen is up.

The compromises to bring the price down – like fewer Glyph lights and no wireless charging – aren't always bad news. It's super light, matching the iPhone 15 Pro Max on screen size but feeling less cumbersome. And I didn't always take advantage of every single Glyph on the Phone (1) or (2) anyway.

I miss wireless charging but find it easy to get used to wired refuelling, especially at this 45W speed. The concessions are well chosen by Nothing, as it has compromised where it can while still holding to its core principles. That's particularly true when you look at the feature additions it's managed to cram into this too. This is a phone I'm eager to pick up and it feels both distinctly "Nothing" and like something completely new.

The system of flashing lights on the back of every Nothing phone is a selling point, but now that I've used three of them I'd caution against specifically buying the phone for the light show. Whether or not it's useful to you is probably something you won't know until you've got your hands on the thing. Any budget phone is a project in working out where to cut corners without ruining the whole experience, and the Glyph Interface on this model is a much more limited version of what you see on the Nothing Phone (2). Does that mean it's worse? Not really.

In fact, I'm left wondering if this is maybe about the size the Glyph Interface should always have been. It's been distilled down to three lighting sections, and I find it much easier than before to understand what the separate parts of the interface do. It's evident where the Glyph Timer goes on the left side (when the phone's facing down) and over on the right is a bar where "Essential Notifications" go. I'd use this for the app alerts you can't miss or for your messages from your significant other. All other notifications won't light up this portion. When using the camera countdown, all the Glyphs along the left side pulse and flash intuitively.

I'd not been fully sold on Glyphs in either the Phone (1) or (2) but now I'm much more convinced. I'm still not sure I'd make it the number one reason to buy, but by keeping them small and at the top of the phone I used them much more during our tests.

During testing, I found myself wanting a bit of focus and not wanting to stare at the clock, so I popped on a 25-minute Glyph Timer and flipped the phone, silencing it except for those "essential" notifications. It's an on-demand Pomodoro timer, and the subtle fading countdown is a delightful way to keep yourself from picking up your phone – if you remember to use it.

I took several pictures using this camera setup to get a proper feel for how it works and performs. One of the main positives I've got to say is that it's a far more consistent snapper than what's available from certain other budget buys I've tried.

In general, I can predict the look of the photos taken on the dual rear 50MP sensors (one wide and one ultra-wide) and the results come out bold, saturated and full of contrast. I'm not against this approach but it does come out feeling less natural than the photos I get from any Pixel phone or Apple's models. If this is the way you'd edit anyway, though, it's just taking that extra step out of the process.

Unsurprisingly, this is a camera system that performs better in bright lighting conditions and is a little more iffy when its night mode kicks in. The shots are solid if you're not a pixel-peeper, though. I'm a fan of the side-by-side placement of the rear cameras, and both the wide and ultra-wide perspectives offer good results. The main problems I see are that blues will sometimes be exaggerated and look fake, orange shades can come out too cool, and greens can also end up oversaturated.

Portrait mode is also one I'd avoid here, as the extra processing makes for photos that don’t look natural at all. Most other portraits and selfies can come out looking decent, but there’s some unavoidable processing around faces that can make them look "cut out" from the background. Not a great look.

I would still say I'm reasonably happy with the majority of photos and would recommend this camera setup to casual smartphone photographers. If you'd prefer great results no matter the lens or mode, though, you're going to have a better time with a Pixel, whether it's one of the newer ones or refurbished.

For a sense of how Nothing's shots look without any editing or tweaks, I've included a gallery of photos within this review for your perusal. A lot of this is subjective, so if you can't see the issues I've mentioned, you'll probably have a great time with this camera system.

Nothing Phone (2a) sample photos

Open Gallery

Nothing is almost as recognised for its software approach as it is for its hardware design. That operating system, Nothing OS 2.5, is a customised version of Android 14. While it isn't unaltered like what you get on Pixel phones, it also is refreshing to see it's mostly free from unnecessary bloatware. Its additions are all helpful ways to bring more customisation and personalisation into the experience.

That goes along with a minimalist interface that you can set to have monochrome app icons, cover emojis or icons over folders, and hide the search bar at the bottom of the screen. There are also some smart new widgets specific to Nothing phones – I'm especially keen on the music player widget that showcases album art from the song you're listening to.

Yes, I still have concerns that the monochrome app icons can be hard to distinguish from one another (you can turn this off) and that certain apps, like Weather, don't suit the Nothing design approach in a way that keeps them easy to use. Overcomplicating weather icons makes the app less useful here.

But overall, after a short period of getting used to it, I'd say that the minimal Nothing OS is a breeze to use and that some of the decisions to keep users unaware of distractions actually work for me.

Lastly, it is worth noting that Google and Samsung are beginning to make much more significant assurances when it comes to the longevity of software and security update support. I also recently reviewed the Fairphone 5, which is repairable and set to conceivably last for seven years or more, assuming you switch out the battery or any failing parts. While Apple doesn't make any specific claims, it's clear to any user that its phones remain supported for ages and that they hold their value over time. I don't expect this to deliver quite as much in this department.

Nothing only says you'll get three years of Android updates and four years of security updates. Not bad. But rivals are now claiming more. It is also worth remembering that this is arriving with the latest Android 14 and will get updates promptly like other Nothing phones have – that's not something most manufacturers can say, and the brand's promised years of support to align with what most of us see as the upgrade cycle, even if we should all aim to hold onto devices longer.

Our testing process doesn't involve complex processor tests that don't mean a whole lot to real people, but I do try to push the processor as much as possible under regular use. I opened up a whole bunch of apps to quickly switch between them, checking for any lag during the process, and I also fired up loads of tabs in our browser along with putting the phone through comprehensive camera tests and taking videos.

I've done some light gaming on the device too, the kind of Subway Surfers stuff we all find ourselves playing to pass the time during the commute. You'll get the fast 5G support you need here too – I got over 100Mbps download speeds on Vodafone in central London. Of course, serious gamers and video editors will want to look at even more in-depth tests, but I'd also be surprised if you're looking at a budget handset for those activities.

I haven't seen lagging animations or stutters and the phone feels more than powerful enough in side-by-side comparisons with the Phone (2), iPhone 15, and Google Pixel 7a. The custom MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor appears to be full-featured to handle anything I throw at it, and Nothing also says it's efficient and stays cool in use. Time will tell when I've had more long-term use, but it lives up to the claims so far and I feel confident this is a phone that won't let us down.

This is also a handset that offers some serious battery performance. Nothing says this 5,000mAh capacity gets you two days of use, and when I used it less intensively, this was true. I charged up the battery to full ahead of a Wednesday and it was still not fully drained by midway through Friday.

Even under more constant use, two days of battery feels very realistic. When it does run out, charging is fast at 45W, so it beats the likes of the Pixel 7a and the iPhone 15 in this department with fast charging to match the Nothing Phone (2). Yes, I miss convenient wireless charging, but it's not the end of the world.

Nothing hasn't overcomplicated things when it comes to the display, but it's a very good option at this price. Yes, if you had hoped for a smaller phone, you'd be disappointed.

However, I must say I'm impressed to see a bright and crisp 6.7-inch AMOLED here and I notice that it has thinner bezels when compared side-by-side with other budget handsets like the Nothing Phone (1) that it replaces, and the Google Pixel 8a.

Beyond that, it's just a straightforward screen with a central hole-punch camera cutout – and it's worth mentioning that this has both a fast face unlock and an in-display fingerprint reader.

I used the display to catch up on some classic episodes of the X-Men animated series and the latest instalment of The Bad Batch, and overall it's a smooth and bright experience. Its typical brightness is much better than that of the Phone (1) and beats the Phone (2) as well, making it a proper rival to the flagship. And that's before factoring in that it hits the same peak brightness and the same 120Hz high refresh rate.

I tend to keep our phones in the battery-preserving default variable refresh rate, but it's possible to force the Phone (2a) into the highest mode and you'll see lovely fluid and buttery animations when you do. It's one of the only phones to offer a refresh rate of up to 120Hz in this price tier. For gamers and TV lovers, this is a major selling point.

I reckon it's worth keeping your attention on just how much more you're getting from Nothing in comparison to the closest rival models from Google and Apple that'll cost you just a little more.

While you'll get a better camera system, wireless charging and slightly cleaner software from Google, you'll also miss out on the larger high-refresh-rate screen, the unique design and battery life that easily beats the Pixel 7a (£449). Yes, the smaller form factor of the 7a might be better for some people, but I've gotten used to big phones and think you will too. Oh, and it's also worth mentioning that this might have a bigger screen than the 7a, but it's just a bit lighter so won't weigh you down.

In comparison to the newer Google Pixel 8a, you'll find the same 120Hz refresh rate, but the Nothing model still competes with its larger screen and battery. The Pixel is the better option for its far better camera, wireless charging support, AI features, colour choices and water resistance. Of course, you'll want to pick the Nothing if you like the Glyph lights and minimal interface – and it comes at a much lower price than the Pixel 8a.

The iPhone SE (£429) remains the smartphone that Apple sells at a "lower" price point but it was barely designed to compete for the year that it launched back in 2022. It has a far less competitive display, design, battery life and camera system than the Phone (2a), although the shots from the SE's single rear lens are pretty decent. Overall, though, that phone still has the ageing look of the iPhone 8 and is in serious need of an upgrade. If you're deciding between the two and don't mind switching from iOS to Android, you'll get a lot more for your money with Nothing.

Nothing was careful about picking where to make its concessions to cut the price of this handset. Many of the specs just don't look like what you'd expect from a £319 smartphone.

Yes, I could quibble over the lack of wireless charging, some Nothing fans will be disappointed with the scaled-down Glyph Interface, the cameras aren't up there with the best in the business and the software support feels a little bit less when you compare it to what the competition is offering.

However, I wouldn't call any of these (except perhaps the camera problems) an enormous issue or a major drawback. You're still getting a lot for your cash.

With these specs and this low price tag, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a brilliant budget smartphone for loads of us, especially if you're a fan of the Nothing style and have been awaiting a cheaper device. Maybe you got into the brand through its great value Ear or Ear (a) buds and now want to complete the look – this is a great way to do it.

I could argue that you'll get a better camera out of any Pixel phone, but I also find that most of those will still cost more and won't come with the charm that makes this so appealing.

I love the unique Nothing OS experience, the handset is light to hold while offering a superb display and battery life, and while it's easy to mark the back with fingerprints, I found myself using the Glyph lights more than I have on the other Nothing phones.

Unless you're not on board with the phone's design and its cartoon eyeball cameras, I'd struggle to find reasons why this isn't right at the top of the list of the best budget phones you can buy.

On June 1, 2024, Nothing introduced the Phone (2a) Special Edition, a smartphone that showcases primary colours in its design. This design might be a bit of an acquired taste, but it’s envisioned with the idea of featuring red, blue and yellow in one go while paying tribute to influential designers such as Piet Mondrian and Gerrit Rietveld. It also draws inspiration from Massimo Vignelli's 1972 New York subway map.

The Nothing Phone (2a) Special Edition is a limited-release smartphone, available in a 12GB RAM + 256GB model, which is priced at £349. It otherwise has all the same features of the Nothing Phone (2a), including a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor, a 5,000mAh battery, a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, and dual 50 MP rear cameras. It’s available exclusively from nothing.tech and the Nothing Store in Soho, London.

Separately, Nothing is also running a 'Community Edition' project, where the brand’s fans have been involved in creating a new approach to the hardware, custom wallpaper, packaging and marketing. The winning submission for the hardware is 'Phosphorescence' by Kenta Akasaki and Astrid Vanhuyse. The design will use green-tinted phosphorescent material, allowing parts of the back of the phone to glow in the dark. As it’s analogue, this won’t be a feature that’ll drain any power either.

At the moment, the Community Edition is in its third stage, accepting submissions for a “unique packaging design”. After this, the fourth stage of the campaign will be marketing, which should happen in July. The entire project is designed to take six months and began in March, so the Nothing Phone (2a) Community Edition should potentially come out at the end of July or in August.