Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is an intriguing device that offers a unique blend of style and substance. Its distinctive design, solid all-round performance, and impressive camera capabilities make it an attractive option for those seeking a mid-range Android experience. Running on the Nothing OS 2.6 platform, this phone promises fast and responsive software interactions. But how does it stack up against its competitors? Does its sleek design justify the premium price tag?
Build Quality and Design
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a unique design that sets it apart from its competitors. The phone's transparent back panel and minimalist aesthetic give it a distinctive look that is both visually striking and refreshing. One of the standout features of the design is the use of transparent materials, which allows users to see the internal components of the phone, including the battery and charging circuitry. This open design philosophy adds to the phone's charm and makes it feel more futuristic than its contemporaries. The build quality of the Phone (2a) Plus is equally impressive. The phone's body is made from a high-quality plastic that feels premium in the hand, despite being relatively light. The edges are neatly chamfered, and the buttons are raised to provide a satisfying tactile response. In terms of design, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes cues from its predecessors while still managing to feel fresh and innovative. The phone's layout is clean and uncluttered, with the display and camera system taking center stage. The overall effect of the design is one of understated elegance, where form meets function in a harmonious union. While some may find the transparent back panel and minimalist aesthetic too sparse or utilitarian, fans of modern design will appreciate the Phone (2a) Plus's bold and uncompromising approach to aesthetics. Ultimately, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a testament to the power of clean design and open innovation, where function and form come together in perfect harmony.
Battery Life
One aspect of the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus that I was excited to test was its battery life. In my experience, this phone has been a mixed bag in this regard. On one hand, the 4500mAh battery is a significant improvement over the original 2A model, and it's great to see Nothing prioritizing power consumption. However, my real-world usage tests revealed some inconsistencies. During moderate use - with plenty of social media scrolling, music streaming, and occasional gaming sessions - I was able to squeeze out around 1 day and 12 hours of battery life. Not bad, but not outstanding either. Things got more interesting when I pushed the phone harder. During my video recording session, which involved a mix of 4K footage, GPS tracking, and Wi-Fi connectivity, the battery took a significant hit. I was able to manage around 7-8 hours of video recording before needing to top up. The issue here is that the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus doesn't quite match the performance of its competitors in this department. For example, the Galaxy A55 and Pixel 8A both offer longer battery life, even during intense usage scenarios. Overall, while the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus's battery life is acceptable, it falls short of what I'd expect from a device in this price bracket. With a bit more optimization, I think Nothing could have delivered an even more impressive performance. As it stands, the phone's battery life is merely adequate - not outstanding, but not poor either.
Display
The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus boasts an impressive display that sets it apart from its competitors. The 6.55-inch OLED panel is a joy to behold, with vibrant colors and exceptional contrast ratios. Watching videos or browsing through photos on this phone is an immersive experience, thanks to the crisp and detailed visuals. One of the standout features of the display is its high refresh rate of 120Hz. This ensures that scrolling, animations, and other interactive elements are smooth and seamless, making for a more engaging user experience. The screen's responsiveness is also impressive, with minimal lag or stuttering even in demanding scenarios. In terms of brightness, the display shines with a maximum output of around 550 nits. While this might not be the highest among flagship phones, it's still sufficient for everyday use and doesn't struggle in bright environments. The screen's HDR10+ support also means you'll get to enjoy a wider color gamut and more nuanced contrast levels. Overall, the display on the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus is a significant upgrade over its predecessor and rivals from other manufacturers. Its combination of high refresh rate, vibrant colors, and decent brightness make it an excellent choice for those seeking a great visual experience without breaking the bank.
Camera
The camera department is one of the most crucial aspects of any smartphone, and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does an impressive job in this regard. The phone features a triple-camera setup with three 50-megapixel sensors - one primary, one ultra-wide, and one dedicated for portraits. In good lighting conditions, the primary camera produces excellent results, with vibrant colors and sharp details. The ultra-wide lens is also impressive, capturing a wide field of view without any noticeable distortion or chromatic aberrations. However, in low-light situations, the cameras tend to struggle, producing noisy images with a loss of detail. One of the notable features of the camera app is its simplicity. It's easy to navigate and provides quick access to various modes, including expert mode for more advanced users. However, the lack of a dedicated night mode or a manual shutter speed control might be a letdown for some enthusiasts. Portrait shots taken with the primary camera are decent, but sometimes exhibit an artificial bokeh effect. The 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens also performs well in portrait mode, producing a slight depth-of-field effect that adds to the overall charm of the image. The video recording capabilities of the phone are impressive, allowing users to capture footage at up to 4K resolution. However, one issue with the camera app is its inability to switch between lenses while recording video - once you start recording, you're stuck with whichever lens you chose initially. In terms of overall camera performance, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers solid results, especially considering its price point. While it may not be the best camera phone in its class, it's certainly a strong contender. With some tweaks and updates to address the issues mentioned above, this camera setup could become even more impressive. The camera department on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a highlight of the device, offering excellent results in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance and limited manual controls might deter some users. Overall, it's a solid effort from Nothing, and with further refinement, this camera setup could become even more impressive.
Price and Value
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is an intriguing device that combines unique design, solid performance, and great software. However, its price point raises some concerns. Priced at £349 for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the Phone (2a) Plus is not cheap. In fact, it's £50 more than the standard Nothing Phone (2a), which starts at £329. While the additional features like faster charging, a slightly better selfie camera, and some design tweaks might be appealing to some, others may find it hard to justify the extra cost. Especially considering that you can still get the standard Nothing Phone (2a) for £299-£309 with some discounts on Amazon. In comparison, the Pixel 8A is also available at a similar price point (£349), but it offers a more established brand and a longer software support period of six years. The Galaxy A55, another mid-range smartphone, is also in the same ballpark. Ultimately, whether or not the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represents good value for money depends on individual priorities. If you're drawn to the unique design and innovative features, then it might be worth splurging an extra £50. However, if budget is a concern, there are other options available that offer similar performance and features at a lower price. In conclusion, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a great phone in its own right, its premium price tag makes it less appealing than some of its competitors.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus is the latest offering from the innovative company, and while it boasts a unique design and solid battery life, its performance is where it truly shines. The device is powered by a mid-level chip, which might raise some eyebrows considering its competitors in the same price bracket. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus delivers smooth performance even with demanding tasks. The 120Hz refresh rate on the display ensures seamless scrolling and navigation, making it feel snappy and responsive. In my testing, I found that the phone handled gaming, multitasking, and everyday use without any noticeable hiccups. The device also managed to keep up with more resource-intensive applications like video editing and streaming services. One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus is its software experience. Running on top of Android 14, the Nothing OS 2.6 provides a clean and intuitive interface that's fast and responsive. The addition of AI-generated wallpapers and experimental features like chat GPT add to the device's charm. While some might argue that the mid-level chip limits the phone's potential, I'd say that it's been optimized well within its capabilities. The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus performs admirably in its price bracket, making it a great option for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone without breaking the bank. Overall, I'm impressed with the performance of the Nothing Phone (2A) Plus. It may not be the most powerful device on the market, but it's certainly one of the most efficient and well-rounded in its class.
Pros
1. Unique design
2. Solid all-round performance
3. Camera is nice
4. Battery life is lovely
5. Software (Nothing OS) is one of my favorite UIs
6. 120Hz refresh rate feels fast and responsive
Cons
1. Only three years of software support, compared to Samsung's seven years
2. No wireless charging, which can be a pain point for some users
3. No eSIM support, which can be frustrating for frequent travelers
4. Not significantly different from the regular 2A model
5. Price is £50 more than the 2A at the same spec
6. Limited modes and options in camera settings