Nothing Phone 2a Plus review

Trade in Nothing Phone 2a Plus

(Image credit: Future)

Budget phones often carry the perception of being less stylish, but Nothing has proven otherwise in recent years. The launch of the Nothing Phone 2a Plus further reinforces the brand’s commitment to offering aesthetically striking devices at accessible price points.

Building on the release of the Nothing Phone 2a earlier this year, the 2a Plus presents a slightly enhanced iteration. Typically, the term “Plus” suggests a significantly larger device, but that’s not the case here — it retains the same 6.7-inch AMOLED display as its predecessor.

Instead, the upgrades focus on improving nearly every other aspect, making it a more robust option on paper. While releasing an updated version just six months after the original might feel unusual, it raises the question of whether such a refresh is warranted. In my hands-on experience with the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, I’ll highlight its key distinctions and explore whether it has the potential to outshine the Pixel 8a.

(Image credit: Future)

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Fortunately, the price increase for the Nothing Phone 2a Plus is minimal, coming in at $399 — just $50 more than the standard model. Its enhanced specifications do a great job of justifying the modest price hike, positioning it as a much more affordable option compared to the Pixel 8a. However, it’s worth noting that your color choices are limited to just grey and black.

While the phone is unlocked, its compatibility with wireless carriers is somewhat restricted. Notably, it lacks support for AT&T and Verizon’s 5G networks, leaving you reliant on 4G or even 3G connections. T-Mobile offers the best compatibility, but even then, it doesn’t cover all 5G bands.

This time around, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus will be easier to obtain, thanks to wider availability. Unlike previous releases, you won’t need to be a developer to purchase one. The grey variant will be accessible in the US through the US Beta Program starting August 7 at 9:00 AM ET. Meanwhile, customers in the U.K. can grab it even earlier on August 3 at the Nothing Store Soho in London.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: DESIGN

(Image credit: Future)

At first glance, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus looks nearly identical to the Nothing Phone 2a, retaining the signature translucent design that reveals the inner workings of the device. It also features the same arrangement of LED strip lights that form the Glymph Interface on the back.

The most noticeable change in the 2a Plus’ design lies in the addition of two new color options. I’m particularly fond of the lighter tones and accents of the grey version I’m testing, which offer a more striking contrast compared to the black variant of the Nothing Phone 2a I reviewed. While the design itself hasn’t changed, it remains a visually captivating one, especially with the shimmering coil that elegantly winds its way down the back of the device.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: DISPLAY

(Image credit: Future)

For a phone priced under $400, the display leaves little room for complaint. It’s the same 6.7-inch AMOLED panel (1084 x 2412) with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate as the Nothing Phone 2a. The visuals remain as crisp and sharp as ever, with the vibrant color saturation and wide viewing angles that AMOLED technology is celebrated for.

Nothing claims the display can reach a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. However, given that the Nothing Phone 2a maxed out at 990 nits in our testing, I’m keeping my expectations in check. That said, I’m open to being pleasantly surprised once proper testing is conducted.

Even before it undergoes Tom’s Guide’s rigorous display benchmarks, I’ve found little to critique. Watching videos on YouTube has been a pleasure, thanks to the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that ensures smooth playback and the vivid colors that make content pop. Overall, it delivers a satisfying viewing experience.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: CAMERAS

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For a budget-friendly device, the dual-camera system on the Nothing Phone 2a Plus holds its own against competitors in the same price range, which is reassuring. However, I had hoped for upgraded camera hardware to give it an edge over its predecessor. Instead, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus retains the same 50MP main and 50MP ultrawide cameras as the Nothing Phone 2a.

In my review of the Nothing Phone 2a, I commended the main camera for its impressive detail capture and dynamic range. I anticipate similar performance from the 2a Plus, though I’m particularly keen to see if the algorithms in Nothing’s TrueLens Engine improve its low-light photography. This is an area where the Nothing Phone 2a struggled, as evidenced in my Pixel 8a vs. Nothing Phone 2a comparison, where it fell short of the Pixel 8a’s ability to brighten pitch-black scenes.

The one notable hardware improvement is the 50MP selfie camera, a significant upgrade from the 32MP front-facing camera on the standard Nothing Phone 2a. With this enhanced resolution, the new selfie camera has a lot to prove, and I’m eager to see how it stacks up against the Pixel 8a in real-world use.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

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While the Nothing Phone 2a can handle most games, its lackluster processing power resulted in less-than-smooth frame rates during gameplay. That’s likely why Nothing has upgraded the Plus model with a MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G chip, which the company touts as 10% faster than the Dimensity 7200 Pro found in the standard 2a.

As with its predecessor, navigating the interface feels seamless, with smooth animations and snappy responses that exude performance. However, these tasks don’t demand much processing power, so the real challenge lies in assessing its graphical performance. Beyond the improved chipset, the Phone 2a Plus also benefits from an upgrade to 12GB of RAM. This enhancement could make the device faster overall, especially with the help of RAM Booster, which allows apps to be quickly recalled from memory when the native RAM is maxed out.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: BATTERY

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The upgraded chipset in the Nothing Phone 2a Plus could contribute to improved battery efficiency, especially since it retains the same 5,000 mAh capacity as its predecessor. Given that the Nothing Phone 2a outperformed the Pixel 8a in Tom’s Guide’s battery benchmark, clocking an impressive 15 hours, I’m confident the Plus will deliver even longer endurance. The only real competitor in this arena is the OnePlus 12R, which achieved an incredible 18+ hours.

Another notable hardware improvement in the Plus is its slightly faster 50W wired charging, up from the 45W charging speed of the standard Phone 2a. While it still lacks wireless charging, this blazing-fast charging speed offers some consolation.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: SOFTWARE

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Beyond its standout design, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus also distinguishes itself through its software. Nothing OS 2.6 maintains the striking dot-matrix aesthetic that extends from app icons to fonts. Additionally, the Phone 2a Plus introduces new widgets, such as the on-the-go Date Reminder widget and the Community Headlines widget, which serves as a hub for Nothing Community members.

While these additions are relatively minor, the customizable Glyph Interface continues to add a functional layer to the phone by linking light patterns to specific notifications. These eye-catching light displays not only grab attention but also serve a practical purpose. However, the downside lies in the limited software support—3 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates—falling far short of the Pixel 8a’s 7 years of updates.

Lastly, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus features ChatGPT integration via a homescreen widget, enabling users to streamline searches and queries. Despite this AI-powered convenience, the device lacks the broader suite of AI features seen in pricier models, such as the extensive AI tools available in many Samsung and Pixel phones.

NOTHING PHONE 2A PLUS HANDS-ON REVIEW: VERDICT

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I’m still grappling with the reasoning behind the Nothing Phone 2a Plus’ release, especially given the brief interval since the standard model debuted. Yet, I can’t help but question whether the upgrades and enhancements offered by the Plus make it a more compelling choice for just $50 more than the original Nothing Phone 2a.

After outlining all the differences, the collective improvements could potentially justify the Nothing Phone 2a Plus’ position as a better value, possibly even surpassing the Pixel 8a on our list of the best budget phones. With a price tag under $400, it’s certainly worth considering—provided you’re comfortable with its limited 5G support through T-Mobile.

Source: Tom’s Guide