Nothing Phone (2a) review
The Nothing Phone (2a) suits anyone hunting a reliable, bright-screened Android phone under €300 without pretence or bloat. If you demand fast charging, a sharper screen, or a more robust build, look to competing offerings at the €320–€400 mark; if you're willing to sacrifice those for clean software and a crisp AMOLED panel, this phone won't disappoint."
This review is based on Nothing’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Nothing Phone (2a), and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Nothing Phone (2a) is a straightforward mid-range Android phone that hits the basics well: a bright 120Hz AMOLED screen, a respectable Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset, and a useful dual 50MP camera setup for its €279 price. It's a solid choice for social media and everyday use, though the plastic build and 45W charging feel ordinary now.
Design & build
At 190 grams and 8.6 mm thick, the Phone (2a) is light and pocketable. The front is Gorilla Glass 5, but the frame and back are plastic—a cost-cutting move that shows. Nothing's signature LED light strips on the rear (three strips with 26 addressable zones) are the only design flourish worth mentioning; they handle notifications and act as a camera fill light, which is a novelty but rarely essential. IP54 protects against dust and water splashes but won't survive a full dunking. For €279, the plastic doesn't offend, but metal or matte ceramic alternatives in this price tier are beginning to appear elsewhere.
Display
The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel is the phone's strongest feature. It runs at 120Hz with a 2160Hz PWM refresh rate to minimise flicker, and brightness peaks at 1300 nits in peak mode—which means text and photos stay legible in bright sunlight. Typical brightness sits at 700 nits, HDR10+ support is standard, and colours pop without oversaturation. The 1080p resolution (394 ppi) is adequate but not sharp; a 1440p panel would eliminate the slight pixellation at arm's length that some will notice. For video, social media, and web browsing, this screen is engaging. For photo editing or reading dense text all day, you'll notice the lower density compared to flagship peers.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro is a capable upper-midrange processor. It handles everyday tasks—social media, email, maps, light photography—without hesitation. Casual gaming at medium to high settings runs smoothly; older titles like PUBG Mobile and Fortnite perform well. Demanding games released in 2024–2025 will need reduced settings or lower frame rates, but the Mali-G610 GPU doesn't stutter on mainstream content. 8GB or 12GB of RAM is sufficient for app switching, though the 128GB base storage feels tight after the OS takes its share. The 256GB options give proper breathing room, and there's no microSD slot to expand, so pick wisely at checkout.
Software
Nothing OS 3.0 is light and close to stock Android 14, with minimal bloat. The three major OS upgrade guarantee means you'll stay current until roughly 2027 or later, which is respectable for this price. Security patches and feature updates arrive without drama. The OS doesn't add much character or useful exclusives, but it also doesn't slow the phone or clutter the experience with unwanted apps. If you prefer vanilla Android without Samsung or Xiaomi's overlays, this will feel clean.
Camera
The main 50MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture and optical image stabilization captures clear, well-exposed shots in daylight and moderate indoor light. PDAF keeps focus snappy, and the 1.0µm pixel size is respectable for this class. The 50MP ultrawide with a 114° field of view is useful for landscapes, architecture, and group photos, though the narrower f/2.2 aperture means it struggles when light drops—dusk and interior shots look softer and noisier than the main camera. The 32MP selfie is adequate for video calls and social media. Video tops out at 4K 30fps, which is passable but not silky compared to 60fps rivals. In good light, the phone photographs well; poor light reveals the camera's limits faster than current flagships.
Battery & charging
The 5000 mAh battery delivers about 6–7 hours of continuous screen-on time for average use, translating to a full day without second charging for most users. The 45W wired charger is honest—50% in 23 minutes, 100% in roughly an hour. There's no wireless charging, which is standard to omit at this price. Charging is fast but not exceptional; competitors at €320–€400 now routinely offer 65–100W, cutting full charge time to 20–30 minutes. The Phone (2a)'s pace is reliable, just not a standout advantage anymore.
Value & verdict
At €279, the Nothing Phone (2a) competes with Xiaomi, Realme, and Samsung's €250–€350 lineups. It's a balanced package with no single weakness that stings. The AMOLED screen punches above its price, the Dimensity 7200 Pro is sufficient for real work and moderate gaming, and the dual 50MP setup delivers in daylight. The plastic build, 1080p screen density, and 45W charging are not wrong choices for the money, just increasingly ordinary. Nothing's restraint with software and upgrade promise add value that spec sheets miss. This is a no-fuss phone for people who browse, message, photograph in daylight, and expect their device to last two to three years without saga or regret.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone (2a) suits anyone hunting a reliable, bright-screened Android phone under €300 without pretence or bloat. If you demand fast charging, a sharper screen, or a more robust build, look to competing offerings at the €320–€400 mark; if you're willing to sacrifice those for clean software and a crisp AMOLED panel, this phone won't disappoint."
- 120Hz AMOLED display with 1100 nits brightness and punchy colours makes scrolling smooth and the phone usable in sunlight without squinting.
- Dual 50MP cameras with a wide f/1.9 aperture and OIS deliver sharp handheld shots in daylight, and the 114° ultrawide is genuinely useful for landscapes and group photos.
- 5000 mAh battery with 45W charging means realistic all-day use and a full charge in about an hour, no wireless nonsense.
- Nothing OS 3.0 stays close to stock Android without bloat, and the phone pledges three major OS upgrades, so it won't feel dated for several years.
- 45W charging is respectable but no longer cutting edge for this price bracket—rivals at €279–€350 now routinely hit 65–100W.
- Plastic frame and back combined with Gorilla Glass 5 feels less premium than metal peers, and IP54 means dust protection only; no full water immersion.
- The 1080p resolution on a 6.7-inch screen is pragmatic but noticeably softer than 1440p rivals, and the ultrawide's narrower f/2.2 aperture struggles in dim light.
Nothing Phone (2a) Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, March 05 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 1 hour |
| Software | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Durability | 3 LED light strips on the back (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones) IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Nothing Phone (2a) FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Phone (2a) support 5G?
Yes. The Phone (2a) supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Phone (2a) use?
The Phone (2a) runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm).
What display does the Phone (2a) have?
A 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak), 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density).
How big is the Phone (2a) battery?
The Phone (2a) has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 45W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 1 hour.
Does the Phone (2a) have NFC?
Yes, the Phone (2a) has NFC.
Is the Phone (2a) water resistant?
The Phone (2a) carries a 3 LED light strips on the back (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones) IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the Phone (2a) support a microSD card?
No, the Phone (2a) does not support expandable storage.
Does the Phone (2a) have a headphone jack?
No, the Phone (2a) does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Phone (2a) isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Phone (2a) Plus
CMF Phone 1
Phone (3a) Pro
Phone (3a)
Galaxy M56 5G
