The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
A distinctively designed device at an attractive price, yet overshadowed by limited improvements and availability challenges.What's good
- Distinctive design
- Affordable price
- Strong performance
- Fast wired charging
- Good battery life
What's bad
- Limited 5G support
- Mixed camera quality
- No wireless charging
- Awkward purchase system
- Screen issues in sunlight
Design
The sleek metallic design delivers a premium look that rivals more expensive models. You’ll notice the semi-transparent back stands out, showcasing the phone's inner components for a unique aesthetic. This design isn’t just for show—it feels light and balanced, making it comfortable to use throughout the day.
A standout feature is the 'Glyph' rear lights, which provide practical notifications without having to check your screen. Reviewers from PCMag appreciated these lights, even if memorizing patterns can be challenging.
Its color options, Grey and Black, have been praised for their stylish and distinctive looks. The robust build quality ensures it withstands regular use, although it lacks water resistance compared to higher-end phones.
Display(s)
This phone's display is a real treat if you love vibrant colors and smooth motion. Measuring 6.7 inches, it features AMOLED technology that brings your favorite movies and photos to life with rich colors.
The 120Hz refresh rate means that scrolling and animations feel silky smooth. Thanks to its bright AMOLED panel, you'll enjoy excellent visibility even in bright daylight.
Some reviewers note the display struggles in very bright sunlight, which might be a consideration if you spend lots of time outdoors.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset, delivering strong performance for both apps and gaming. Reviewers noted the processor offers "a 10% performance bump" over its predecessor, allowing for smoother multitasking and enhanced efficiency during demanding tasks.
While the improvement might not be drastically noticeable on routine tasks, under pressure, the phone shows improved frame rates and stability. "The performance is undoubtedly a strength at this price point," experts observed.
For those who want a phone that can keep up with daily demands without breaking the bank, the performance of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a compelling reason to consider this device.
Software & Storage
The Phone (2a) Plus runs on Nothing OS over Android 14, bringing a minimalist and distraction-free experience.
The software includes unique design elements like monochrome themes and customizable Glyph lights to personalize notifications.
Experts commend the easy navigation and essential tools provided by Nothing OS, saying it offers smooth and intuitive use.
You'll also enjoy three years of software updates and four years of security patches, ensuring ongoing support and stability.
Cameras
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a 50MP main camera coupled with a 50MP ultrawide sensor, delivering crisp images with dynamic range, especially in well-lit conditions. The new 50MP selfie camera captures vibrant, detailed selfies that stand out even more.
However, it lacks a dedicated zoom lens, causing digital zoom results beyond 2x to become grainy. "Colors are fairly accurate but often boosted," noted PhoneArena, which can enhance some shots while reducing detail in others.
Battery
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a robust 5000mAh battery, ensuring a full day's use even with heavy demand. This feature is advantageous for those with busy lifestyles who appreciate a phone that matches their pace. Multiple reviewers noted the phone's reliability in holding charge throughout a day of varied usage, indicating solid battery performance.
When it's time to recharge, you won't wait long. The phone supports up to 50W wired charging, quickly refilling the battery in just over an hour. This is ideal for individuals who value efficiency and minimize downtime caused by charging interruptions in their routine. "Reviewers praise the rapid charging that quickly brings the battery to full," suggests the feedback on this model.
Despite the speedy wired charging, you'll find no wireless charging option here, a limitation pointed out by several experts. While this may be a minor inconvenience to those accustomed to wireless solutions, the phone compensates with fast, reliable power delivery when you're plugged in.
Audio
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus gives a clear and balanced sound for media, thanks to its dual stereo speakers. Reviewers feel it's "fine for social media and YouTube," but note it lacks deep bass for music and film, as PCMag points out when stating "lower bass notes are difficult to discern."
In terms of call quality, the sound is understandable, though a bit muted. You'll recognize words clearly, but some ambient noise remains in the background, as shown in several reviews.
For general daily use, the device's audio suffices. Just don't expect a cinematic experience without added speakers or quality headphones.
The Bottom Line
The device offers a unique aesthetic with its translucent back and Glyph lights, which doubles as notification indicators, appealing to those who value standout design. With its new custom processor, it manages moderate multitasking and day-to-day tasks well, though reviews highlight only marginal gains in speed and performance.
The improvements over the predecessor, including a higher resolution selfie camera, haven't addressed all user concerns, particularly around camera accuracy and display performance. Limited availability, especially in the US, presents additional barriers to potential buyers.
Considering its current pricing, its value proposition is contested when compared to existing models that offer similar or superior features.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Max Buondonno, The ShortcutThe Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does its best to stand out in the ever-changing mid-range smartphone market, and it does a decent job. An upgraded version of the regular Phone (2a), the (2a) Plus comes with slightly better cameras and a faster chip, all packed into an eye-catching design that’s as fun t…
- Luigi Leonardo, GadgetMatchThe Nothing Phone (2a) Plus brings back the lost art of visually striking designs back to the smartphone world. Sure, it might not wow you with impressive hardware, but it’s a fashion statement.
- Ben Johnston, Expert ReviewsThough competent by itself, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is far from enough of an upgrade to justify its existence – or its bloated price.
- Alex Walker-Todd, TechRadarThe 2a Plus is an incremental upgrade that nobody asked for, but one whose upgrades cement it as the best value Nothing Phone available right now. Your money goes, in part, towards that iconic Nothing aesthetic and user experience, but that doesn't detract from this being a well-rounded mid-ranger.…
- Marcus Herbrich, NotebookcheckThere is likely no other mid-range smartphone where the discrepancy between its subjective impression and an objective glance at its data sheet is greater.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus user manual here.
Nothing backs up the Phone (2a) Plus with a 2 Years parts & labour warranty.
If your Phone (2a) Plus has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Nothing support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Nothing's contact information here.
If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop.
You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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