Design and Build Quality
The Nothing Phone 2A Plus follows the unique design language established by its predecessor, combining a minimalist aesthetic with transparent elements that reveal the phone’s internals. The device features a robust aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass protection on both the front and back, giving it a premium feel. The distinctive LED light strips on the back, known as the Glyph Interface, serve as customizable notifications and add a futuristic touch to the phone’s design.
Display
The Nothing Phone 2A Plus sports a 6.55-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The screen delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, providing an immersive viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making interactions with the device feel responsive and enjoyable. The display is bright enough for outdoor use, and the HDR10+ support enhances video playback quality.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, the Nothing Phone 2A Plus offers top-tier performance for a seamless user experience. The device comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, depending on the variant, and offers 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. This hardware combination ensures fast app loading times, smooth multitasking, and excellent gaming performance, handling even the most demanding games with ease.
Software
The phone runs on Nothing OS 2.0, which is based on Android 13. Nothing OS is known for its clean and near-stock Android experience, with minimal bloatware and a focus on user customization. The software includes unique features like the Glyph Interface customization, allowing users to set different light patterns for notifications, calls, and other alerts. Regular software updates from Nothing ensure that the device remains secure and up-to-date.
Camera
The Nothing Phone 2A Plus features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The primary camera captures detailed and vibrant images in good lighting conditions, with accurate color reproduction and excellent dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera provides a broader field of view, making it ideal for landscape and group shots, though it may show some distortion at the edges.
The 32MP front-facing camera delivers sharp and clear selfies, with various beautification modes available to enhance the images. Video recording capabilities include 4K resolution at 60fps, with electronic image stabilization (EIS) ensuring smooth and stable footage.
Battery Life
Equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, the Nothing Phone 2A Plus offers solid battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy usage. The device supports 33W fast charging, which can recharge the battery from 0 to 100% in just over an hour. Additionally, the phone supports 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, providing flexibility in how you charge your device.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone 2A Plus is a compelling option for users who value design, performance, and a clean software experience. Its unique aesthetic, powerful hardware, and thoughtful software features make it stand out in the crowded smartphone market. While it may not have the most advanced camera system, it delivers solid performance across the board, making it a well-rounded device for everyday use.
Pros:
- Unique and eye-catching design with the Glyph Interface
- Vibrant OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Clean and customizable software experience
- Good battery life with fast and wireless charging options
Cons:
- Camera performance is decent but not class-leading
- Limited availability and higher price compared to some competitors
- No official IP rating for water and dust resistance
The Nothing Phone 2A Plus offers a distinctive blend of style and substance, appealing to those who want a smartphone that stands out while delivering reliable performance.