{"id":211844,"date":"2024-03-10T11:41:58","date_gmt":"2024-03-10T11:41:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/10\/weekly-poll-would-you-buy-the-nothing-phone-2a\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:20:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:20:54","slug":"weekly-poll-would-you-buy-the-nothing-phone-2a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/10\/weekly-poll-would-you-buy-the-nothing-phone-2a\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly poll: would you buy the Nothing Phone (2a)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n

\n

This week saw the release of its third phone and the first proper mid-ranger \u2013 the Nothing Phone (2a)<\/a>. We say \u201cproper mid-ranger\u201d because the original Nothing Phone (1) wasn\u2019t exactly a flagship either, but this one is decidedly a more budget option. Check out the prices below:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Nothing Phone (2a)<\/th>\n

<\/p>\n

EU<\/th>\n

<\/p>\n

UK<\/th>\n

<\/p>\n

India<\/th>\n


\n <\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

8\/128GB<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u20ac330<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a3320<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u20b924,000<\/td>\n


\n <\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

8\/256GB<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

–<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

–<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u20b926,000<\/td>\n


\n <\/tr>\n

<\/p>\n

12\/256GB<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u20ac380<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a3350<\/td>\n

<\/p>\n

\u20b928,000<\/td>\n


\n <\/tr>\n


\n<\/table>\n

Unlike the Phone (2), the a-model won\u2019t be available in the US, at least not through retail stores \u2013 you can get one for $350 as part of Nothing\u2019s developer program. However, we\u2019re not sure what the terms of that will be (warranty? support?).<\/p>\n

\"Weekly<\/p>\n

Anyway, with the Nothing Phone (2a) you are getting a whole lot of something for the price. This includes a 6.7\u201d 120Hz AMOLED display (20:9 FHD+) with 10-bit HDR10+ colors, Gorilla Glass 5 and Always On mode. That\u2019s comparable to the Phone (1), except a bit bigger (up from 6.55\u201d). It\u2019s comparable to the pricier Phone (2) as well, though the 6.7\u201d panel on that one is LTPO (still 20:9 FHD+ resolution).<\/p>\n

The a-phone has a very similar camera setup to the Phone (2). The main has a 50MP 1\/1.56\u201d sensor (a Samsung GN9 instead of a Sony IMX890) and the 114\u00b0 ultra wide has a 50MP 1\/2.76\u201d sensor (Samsung JN1 for both). The selfie camera is 32MP.<\/p>\n


\n\"Nothing<\/a>
\n\"Nothing<\/a>
\n\"Nothing<\/a>
\n\"Nothing<\/a>
\n
Nothing Phone (2a) in Black, Milk and White<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

More important than the different sensor is the lack of 4K @ 60fps video capture \u2013 the Phone (2a) tops out at 30fps due to its chipset. Specifically, the Dimensity 7200 Pro chip.<\/p>\n

With a pair of Cortex-A715 cores and six A510, the CPU edges out the Snapdragon 778G+ that was in the Phone (1) and the Mali-G610 MC4 GPU has the upper hand (depending on the benchmark, the gap is quite big). However, comparing it to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 of the Phone (2), the CPU is in the same ballpark but strictly behind, the GPU is much slower \u2013 usually 2 times, but often as much as 3 times slower.<\/p>\n

\"Weekly<\/p>\n

All three Nothing phones are on the same update schedule \u2013 3 years of major OS updates and 4 years of security patches. The difference is that the Phone (1) is already in its second year (it started with Android 12 and recently got Android 14<\/a>). The Phone (2) started on Android 13 and the new (2a) model runs Android 14 out of the box.<\/p>\n

Finally, the a-phone has the biggest battery of the three at 5,000mAh (vs. 4,500mAh for the original and 4,700mAh for the (2)). It supports the faster 45W wired charging of the (2) but there\u2019s no wireless charging.<\/p>\n

With all that in mind, would you buy the Nothing Phone (2a)? You can find a Phone (1) for around the same money, though new units are low in stock at the places we checked. But the Phone (2a) is the better phone, barring wireless charging and the complete lack of an IP rating. As for the Phone (2), that one is \u20ac200 more expensive, even with discounts.<\/p>\n


\n\"Nothing<\/a>
\n\"Nothing<\/a>
\n
Nothing Phone (1) \u2022 Nothing Phone (2)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What else? Nothing\u2019s Android skin may be stylized, but is lighter than most. The Google Pixel 7a can be found for \u20ac300-\u20ac350, so basically the same as the (2a). There is only one configuration (8\/128GB) and the 6.1\u201d FHD+ display is both smaller and slower (90Hz). Speaking of, the Tensor G2 may not be your favorite chipset, but it is faster than the Dimensity 7200.<\/p>\n

You also get a 64MP main camera (1\/1.73\u201d) and a 13MP ultra wide (120\u00b0), plus a 13MP selfie. The rear camera can record 4K @ 60fps video and the phone is rated IP67. The 4,385mAh battery is also smaller and slower with 18W charging, but it does have basic wireless charging at 7.5W. Google will deliver 3 OS updates (the first one is already out) and 5 years of security patches.<\/p>\n


\n\"Google<\/a>
\n
Google Pixel 7a<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s the Samsung Galaxy A34 and A54, but those will soon be replaced by the A35 and A55, so let\u2019s wait and see what those are like.<\/p>\n

HyperOS customizes Android further than Nothing OS. But if you like it, the Poco X6 Pro is cheaper for equivalent storage and even 12\/512GB costs around the same as the Nothing. It is powered by the faster Dimensity 8300 Ultra and has a 6.67\u201d 120Hz AMOLED display with a higher resolution (1220p-class) with 12-bit colors. The 5,000mAh battery on this one charges even faster at 67W, but still only supports wired charging. There\u2019s an IP54 dust and water resistance rating. The cameras are not up to par with the Phone (2a), however.<\/p>\n


\n\"Xiaomi<\/a>
\n
Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Realme 12 Pro is in close in terms of pricing, the 12 Pro+ costs more. The 6.7\u201d FHD+ 10-bit 120Hz display on the Realme is comparable to that of the Nothing and this one has an IP65 rating. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is slower and the 50MP main camera has a smaller sensor (1\/2.0\u201d), though it is joined by a 32MP 47mm portrait lens and an 8MP ultra wide. The 5,000mAh battery supports 67W wired-only charging.<\/p>\n


\n\"Realme<\/a>
\n
Realme 12 Pro<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We are working on a Nothing Phone (2a) review<\/a>, so expect more details on the company\u2019s first true mid-ranger soon. In the mean time, do you think that you will be happy buying the Phone (2a)?<\/p>\n