Rating: 3.5/5
Nothing entered the market to disrupt the smartphone market with its unique transparent design and unconventional naming. Many were sceptical of this new company's ability to compete with the heavyweights. However, with the release of multiple smartphones, Carl Pei and his team have proven their commitment to their signature transparent design. The company launched the Nothing Phone (2a) in March and a more affordable CMF Phone 1 in July. The month also witnessed the launch of Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, a more ‘powerful’ version of the Nothing Phone (2a).
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is essentially an upgraded version of the Nothing Phone (2a) and is priced slightly higher than the previous model. Launched at a starting price of Rs 27,999, the ‘plus’ model retains the design of the Nothing Phone (2a) but comes with a more powerful processor, a better front camera and faster charging capability.
The company’s decision to release the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has raised eyebrows as some questioned whether this move could cannibalise sales of the original Nothing Phone (2a). However, Nothing believes that the Nothing Phone (2a)'s success warranted a sequel.
Additionally, with the anticipated launch of the Nothing Phone (3) in 2025, the company also aims to offer enthusiasts a more powerful option for the mid-range phone in the meantime. Nothing has also clarified that it doesn't plan to discontinue the original Nothing Phone (2a), providing consumers with more options to choose from.
Here we find out if these upgrades will help the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus to stand out in the crowded mid-range smartphone market.
Design and display
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus retains the Phone (2a)’s flat edges and a transparent polycarbonate back panel that reveals the Glyph Interface , a hallmark of Nothing’s smartphone design. The phone’s rounded edges offer a comfortable in-hand feel, and while it's made of plastic, it maintains a sturdy build with an IP54 rating for splash resistance. The phone is durable enough to handle accidental bumps and falls.
However, it's important to note that other smartphones in this price segment come with IP67 or higher dust and water resistance ratings.
The Glyph lights, positioned around the eye-like dual rear camera setup, illuminate for notifications, calls, and other visual cues. We kept changing the phone’s ringtone to see the Glyph lights dance to each tune.
Notably, the Phone (2a) Plus comes in new metallic Grey and Black colours, replacing the previous red accents with reflective silver finishes, giving the phone a more premium look. The transparent back also showcases cosmetic NFC coils that add to its visual appeal, though the plastic back easily attracts fingerprints and dust.
The phone has a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and FHD+ resolution, which delivers vibrant colours and deep blacks. With a peak brightness of 1300 nits, the phone display was bright enough for outdoor usage under the sun.
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’ display supports HDR content on platforms, like YouTube and Netflix. Watching movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Interstellar and Top Gun Maverick as well as playing games like BGMI on this display was a pleasant experience.
While it doesn’t feature LTPO technology for more efficient refresh rate adjustments, it still offers a satisfactory viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate makes the screen smooth and responsive.
Camera
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a dual 50MP rear camera setup and a new 50MP front camera. In comparison, the Nothing Phone (2a) had a 32MP selfie camera while the rear camera setup remained the same in both smartphones.
The primary 50MP sensor on the back delivers sharp, vibrant images in well-lit environments. It features optical image stabilisation (OIS) and an f/1.88 aperture, ensuring crisp and detailed photos.
The secondary 50MP ultra-wide camera, with a 114-degree field of view, captures wider scenes. However, while the camera maintained accuracy to a large extent, we saw a slight colour shift when capturing photos from the ultra-wide camera.
The front camera, upgraded to 50MP from the previous 32MP of the non-Plus variant, brings significant improvements in selfie quality, offering higher resolution and enhanced details in favourable conditions. The selfies we took on these phones offered realistic colours and photos.
Portrait mode, available on both the front and rear cameras, can sometimes struggle with edge detection, but its overall performance is impressive. The camera app includes several creative modes like Slo-mo, Time-lapse, and Vivid Mode, which uses AI to boost colour saturation and provide real-time feedback, particularly useful in low-light scenarios.
The Ultra HDR feature enhances dynamic range, ensuring well-balanced shots across different lighting conditions. In night mode, the camera effectively minimises noise, delivering bright, clear images with minimal distortion. One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone 2a Plus is its ability to shoot 4K videos at 30fps from all three cameras, including the front, offering a versatile video recording experience.
Though the Nothing Phone 2a Plus excels in many areas, some software optimisations could further enhance its camera performance, particularly for portrait shots and handling complex lighting environments. Overall, it offers a dynamic and user-friendly photography experience.
Performance and software
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus delivers a smooth performance, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip, which enhances both speed and graphics processing as compared to the predecessor. The new chipset is designed specifically for this phone and offers a boost in performance compared to the Phone (2a), handling day-to-day tasks, multitasking, and gaming smoothly.
While running demanding apps and graphics-heavy games for extended sessions, the phone managed its thermals well which in turn helped to reduce battery consumption. We didn’t notice any lags while playing games like BGMI or GTA San Andreas (via Netflix).
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus generally handled its thermal management effectively. However, it did become warm during rare instances when we were gaming while the phone was plugged in. Despite this, we did not experience any noticeable stutters during these moments.
On the software front, the Phone 2a Plus runs on Nothing OS 2.6, which offers a clean, minimalist experience free from bloatware. The operating system is known for its distinct visual style, with monochrome icons, customisable widgets as the interface complements the phone’s aesthetic.
The Glyph Interface, another signature feature of Nothing’s design, continues to shine on the Phone (2a) Plus, offering visual notifications and interactive functions for timers, incoming calls, and more. While not as expansive as last year’s Nothing Phone 2, it still provides a unique interaction for users who enjoy its visual flair. We were able to enable the setting which made the Glyphs flash to the tune of a song playing on YouTube Music as well.
In terms of hardware, the phone comes with 256GB of non-expandable storage and 12GB of RAM, with the option to use RAM Booster technology to allocate extra storage as virtual memory. This enhances multitasking, allowing more apps to remain active in the background without slowing down the system.
Overall, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus provides a smooth and responsive experience, supported by regular software updates and early access to Android betas. With consistent performance, thoughtful design, and the innovative Glyph Interface, it offers a satisfying blend of aesthetics and functionality.
Battery
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus is equipped with a 5000mAh battery unit that offers an impressive battery life. Thanks to refined task optimisation, we were able to enjoy a full day of usage which included bingeing content as well as extended gaming sessions. After that, nearly 30% battery remained by the end of the day.
The phone supports 50W fast charging, enabling a fast recharge experience. We tested the smartphone with the wire that came bundled with the phone. This cable was able to charge the device from 10% to full in under an hour.
The fast-charging capability allowed the phone to reach 0-40% in just 15 minutes, over 70% in 30 minutes, and get fully charged within an hour. In regular usage, which didn’t involve much gaming and watching content, the phone was able to easily cover a day and a half without the need to charge it.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus has a sleek design and unique look which catches the eye. The phone offers reliable performance which makes it an appealing option for those looking for a different design. Its Glyph Interface continues to stand out as a unique design feature, offering an attractive and minimalist look that distinguishes the phone in a crowded market.
The MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip provides fine performance, ensuring largely lag-free multitasking and gaming. The clean and bloatware-free Nothing OS enhances the overall user experience.
With a 5000mAh battery and 50W fast charging, the phone is capable of lasting through a full day with ease. Overall, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus is an attractive choice for users looking for a stylish device with decent performance and clean software.
Nothing entered the market to disrupt the smartphone market with its unique transparent design and unconventional naming. Many were sceptical of this new company's ability to compete with the heavyweights. However, with the release of multiple smartphones, Carl Pei and his team have proven their commitment to their signature transparent design. The company launched the Nothing Phone (2a) in March and a more affordable CMF Phone 1 in July. The month also witnessed the launch of Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, a more ‘powerful’ version of the Nothing Phone (2a).
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is essentially an upgraded version of the Nothing Phone (2a) and is priced slightly higher than the previous model. Launched at a starting price of Rs 27,999, the ‘plus’ model retains the design of the Nothing Phone (2a) but comes with a more powerful processor, a better front camera and faster charging capability.
The company’s decision to release the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has raised eyebrows as some questioned whether this move could cannibalise sales of the original Nothing Phone (2a). However, Nothing believes that the Nothing Phone (2a)'s success warranted a sequel.
Additionally, with the anticipated launch of the Nothing Phone (3) in 2025, the company also aims to offer enthusiasts a more powerful option for the mid-range phone in the meantime. Nothing has also clarified that it doesn't plan to discontinue the original Nothing Phone (2a), providing consumers with more options to choose from.
Here we find out if these upgrades will help the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus to stand out in the crowded mid-range smartphone market.
Design and display
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus retains the Phone (2a)’s flat edges and a transparent polycarbonate back panel that reveals the Glyph Interface , a hallmark of Nothing’s smartphone design. The phone’s rounded edges offer a comfortable in-hand feel, and while it's made of plastic, it maintains a sturdy build with an IP54 rating for splash resistance. The phone is durable enough to handle accidental bumps and falls.
However, it's important to note that other smartphones in this price segment come with IP67 or higher dust and water resistance ratings.
The Glyph lights, positioned around the eye-like dual rear camera setup, illuminate for notifications, calls, and other visual cues. We kept changing the phone’s ringtone to see the Glyph lights dance to each tune.
Notably, the Phone (2a) Plus comes in new metallic Grey and Black colours, replacing the previous red accents with reflective silver finishes, giving the phone a more premium look. The transparent back also showcases cosmetic NFC coils that add to its visual appeal, though the plastic back easily attracts fingerprints and dust.
The phone has a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and FHD+ resolution, which delivers vibrant colours and deep blacks. With a peak brightness of 1300 nits, the phone display was bright enough for outdoor usage under the sun.
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’ display supports HDR content on platforms, like YouTube and Netflix. Watching movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Interstellar and Top Gun Maverick as well as playing games like BGMI on this display was a pleasant experience.
While it doesn’t feature LTPO technology for more efficient refresh rate adjustments, it still offers a satisfactory viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate makes the screen smooth and responsive.
Camera
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a dual 50MP rear camera setup and a new 50MP front camera. In comparison, the Nothing Phone (2a) had a 32MP selfie camera while the rear camera setup remained the same in both smartphones.
The primary 50MP sensor on the back delivers sharp, vibrant images in well-lit environments. It features optical image stabilisation (OIS) and an f/1.88 aperture, ensuring crisp and detailed photos.
The secondary 50MP ultra-wide camera, with a 114-degree field of view, captures wider scenes. However, while the camera maintained accuracy to a large extent, we saw a slight colour shift when capturing photos from the ultra-wide camera.
The front camera, upgraded to 50MP from the previous 32MP of the non-Plus variant, brings significant improvements in selfie quality, offering higher resolution and enhanced details in favourable conditions. The selfies we took on these phones offered realistic colours and photos.
Portrait mode, available on both the front and rear cameras, can sometimes struggle with edge detection, but its overall performance is impressive. The camera app includes several creative modes like Slo-mo, Time-lapse, and Vivid Mode, which uses AI to boost colour saturation and provide real-time feedback, particularly useful in low-light scenarios.
The Ultra HDR feature enhances dynamic range, ensuring well-balanced shots across different lighting conditions. In night mode, the camera effectively minimises noise, delivering bright, clear images with minimal distortion. One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone 2a Plus is its ability to shoot 4K videos at 30fps from all three cameras, including the front, offering a versatile video recording experience.
Though the Nothing Phone 2a Plus excels in many areas, some software optimisations could further enhance its camera performance, particularly for portrait shots and handling complex lighting environments. Overall, it offers a dynamic and user-friendly photography experience.
Performance and software
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus delivers a smooth performance, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip, which enhances both speed and graphics processing as compared to the predecessor. The new chipset is designed specifically for this phone and offers a boost in performance compared to the Phone (2a), handling day-to-day tasks, multitasking, and gaming smoothly.
While running demanding apps and graphics-heavy games for extended sessions, the phone managed its thermals well which in turn helped to reduce battery consumption. We didn’t notice any lags while playing games like BGMI or GTA San Andreas (via Netflix).
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus generally handled its thermal management effectively. However, it did become warm during rare instances when we were gaming while the phone was plugged in. Despite this, we did not experience any noticeable stutters during these moments.
On the software front, the Phone 2a Plus runs on Nothing OS 2.6, which offers a clean, minimalist experience free from bloatware. The operating system is known for its distinct visual style, with monochrome icons, customisable widgets as the interface complements the phone’s aesthetic.
The Glyph Interface, another signature feature of Nothing’s design, continues to shine on the Phone (2a) Plus, offering visual notifications and interactive functions for timers, incoming calls, and more. While not as expansive as last year’s Nothing Phone 2, it still provides a unique interaction for users who enjoy its visual flair. We were able to enable the setting which made the Glyphs flash to the tune of a song playing on YouTube Music as well.
In terms of hardware, the phone comes with 256GB of non-expandable storage and 12GB of RAM, with the option to use RAM Booster technology to allocate extra storage as virtual memory. This enhances multitasking, allowing more apps to remain active in the background without slowing down the system.
Overall, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus provides a smooth and responsive experience, supported by regular software updates and early access to Android betas. With consistent performance, thoughtful design, and the innovative Glyph Interface, it offers a satisfying blend of aesthetics and functionality.
Battery
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus is equipped with a 5000mAh battery unit that offers an impressive battery life. Thanks to refined task optimisation, we were able to enjoy a full day of usage which included bingeing content as well as extended gaming sessions. After that, nearly 30% battery remained by the end of the day.
The phone supports 50W fast charging, enabling a fast recharge experience. We tested the smartphone with the wire that came bundled with the phone. This cable was able to charge the device from 10% to full in under an hour.
The fast-charging capability allowed the phone to reach 0-40% in just 15 minutes, over 70% in 30 minutes, and get fully charged within an hour. In regular usage, which didn’t involve much gaming and watching content, the phone was able to easily cover a day and a half without the need to charge it.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus has a sleek design and unique look which catches the eye. The phone offers reliable performance which makes it an appealing option for those looking for a different design. Its Glyph Interface continues to stand out as a unique design feature, offering an attractive and minimalist look that distinguishes the phone in a crowded market.
The MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chip provides fine performance, ensuring largely lag-free multitasking and gaming. The clean and bloatware-free Nothing OS enhances the overall user experience.
With a 5000mAh battery and 50W fast charging, the phone is capable of lasting through a full day with ease. Overall, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus is an attractive choice for users looking for a stylish device with decent performance and clean software.
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