Nothing has recently launched the Phone (2a). Rather than a new flagship, the UK-based startup’s latest product is actually a mid-range device and a direct successor to the Phone (1) that was introduced back in 2022.
It is also the first smartphone from the company to feature a MediaTek chipset – the Dimensity 7200 Pro, to be more specific. Unlike the base iteration, this custom-tuned SoC is a collaborative effort between Nothing and the chipmaker, promising optimal performance and battery usage.
Despite being offered under the mid-range segment, the newer handset retains several features offered by the high-end Phone (2). These include the Nothing OS interface and its exclusive apps and tools such as Recorder, Nothing X, ringtone composer and so on. The brand’s signature aesthetic is also present on the Phone (2a), complete with a transparent rear case and a simplified version of the Glyph Interface lighting system.
In regards to the latter, the only thing that’s missing is a charging indicator function, while features such as the countdown timer, volume indicator, and third-party app integrations (ie: Grab) are still available. The Glyph Interface is also capable of animating ringtones and music playback, and you could even use it as an alternative to the built-in flash light feature.
The phone itself feels no less premium than its siblings, while its size and weight is almost similar to the Phone (2). One notable difference is the use of polycarbonate material for its surrounding frame instead of aluminium, which actually feels nice and solid when held. You’ll also be glad to know that the device comes with a rating of IP54 in terms of water and dust resistance.
Yet another similarity the newer Phone (2a) has with Nothing’s handset from the year before is the display. Like the latter, it too is equipped with the same 2K OLED display with up to 120Hz variable refresh rate and Always On capability.
Since this article covers my first impressions of the phone, I’ll save my thoughts on the phone’s overall performance (such as its chipset and battery) for an upcoming review. For now, I can share that Nothing’s new model shows plenty of promise in this aspect, but do keep your expectations in check as this is a mid-range model after all.
As for photography, this particular experience with the Phone (2a), again, echoes the offerings from its high-end cousin. Featured on its back are the same dual 50MP sensors for its primary and ultra-wide cameras, which are now arranged horizontally in the middle as this model lacks a charging coil.
Photos shot with the Nothing mid-ranger look good – vibrant even, though a bit too much when the colour red is present. As with the Phone (2), shooting modes such as Portrait and Panorama are also available, while zooming is only done digitally up to 10x. Its cameras are capable of recording 1080p at 60fps and 4K at 30fps videos, as well as Slo-Mo at 1080/120p.
As mentioned earlier, the Phone (2a) is looking to be a promising mid-range entry from Nothing, especially for those who wish to experience the brand’s signature offerings, including its design and Glyph Interface, at a considerably attractive price point. On that note, the new device is retailing at RM1,699 and is only available in a single memory configuration (12GB RAM + 256GB storage) for the Malaysian market.
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