Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review
Best for budget-conscious users in emerging markets who spend most time scrolling, video, and messaging and don't game seriously. Skip it if you value durability, sharp text, or consistent high-frame-rate gaming performance.
This review is based on Nothing’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, 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) Plus is a large, bright mid-ranger that nails display fluidity and fast charging but stumbles on durability and processing power. For the price, it's a solid everyday phone if you avoid heavy gaming and don't mind a plastic back.
Design & Build
At 190g and 8.5mm thick, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus feels light and slim in hand, a real strength for a 6.7-incher. The signature LED light strip on the back is a visual flourish that works—useful for notifications and looks deliberate, not gimmicky. The glass front is solid Gorilla Glass 5, but the plastic frame and plastic back feel like cost-cutting. For a 2024 phone at €340, this is standard, yet rivals increasingly use glass or metal frames at this price. IP54 dust and splash resistance covers daily accidents but not submersion; a drop into a pool is a genuine risk. You'll want a case to protect against scratches, which means the design appeal you see in the store will be buried almost immediately.
Display
The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel is the phone's strongest feature. 120Hz scrolling feels fluid, and the 1300-nit peak brightness handles direct sunlight without forcing you to tilt the screen or squint. Contrast and color are AMOLED-typical, which means they pop. The 2160Hz PWM flicker rate is smooth enough that even sensitive eyes should feel no strain. The real compromise is resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels at 395 ppi means text and icons lack the crispness of a 1440p display. At arm's length, the softness is noticeable; side-by-side with a sharper screen, you'll see the difference in small text. For scrolling social feeds and video, it's fine. For reading e-books or detailed documents, it lags behind what you'd get from a Galaxy A series phone at the same price.
Performance
The Dimensity 7350 Pro is a mid-tier chip that handles its job: messaging, social media, light browsing, and video all run smoothly. Everyday multitasking is snappy. Demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings will stutter, and you'll need to dial down graphics to play comfortably. A 620k AnTuTu score places it well behind flagship chips and even mid-range competitors from 2023; the generational gap is real. For someone who games casually or sticks to lighter titles, this is fine. For anyone chasing frame rates or playing popular 3D games, the performance gap will frustrate you within a few weeks.
Software
Nothing OS 3.0 on top of Android 14 is refreshingly light. No bloatware, minimal pre-installed apps, and the UI gets out of your way. Nothing's promise of three major Android upgrades is competitive for this price tier; many rivals promise the same but fall short in practice. The optical under-display fingerprint sensor works, though it's slower than a side-mounted scanner. Circle to Search is a nice addition but not a reason to buy the phone.
Camera
The dual rear setup is capable. The 50MP main camera with f/1.9 aperture and OIS captures sharp handheld shots in low light and decent video thanks to gyro-EIS. The 114° ultrawide is genuinely wide—useful for group photos and landscapes without opening a zoom app. Neither camera is exceptional; they perform as you'd expect from this price and class. The 50MP selfie camera is adequate for video calls. Zooming is software-only, so expect fuzzy results past 1x. In bright daylight, colors are natural and detail is good. In dim lighting, the f/1.9 main and stabilization shine, and you'll get usable shots without extreme noise. Night mode is competent but not exceptional.
Battery & Charging
The 5000 mAh battery delivers about a full day with moderate mixed use—browsing, messaging, video. Heavy use will see you hunting for a charger by evening, which is typical for a 6.7-incher but not exceptional. The real story is charging: 50W wired gets you to full in 56 minutes, or half-full in 21 minutes. That's fast enough to be genuinely useful before a commute or meeting. There's no wireless charging, which would be a nice touch at this price but isn't a deal-breaker. The charging speed matches or edges out mid-range rivals, and the 21-minute half-charge window is practical.
Value & Verdict
At €340, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus occupies a tight space. It undercuts some Samsung Galaxy A models on price and matches or beats them on display refresh and brightness. It loses points on durability and processing power. The real value play is for someone who wants a large, fluid display, responsive charging, and clean software without paying flagship prices—and who is comfortable with plastic construction and mid-tier gaming performance. If you game regularly or shoot a lot of photos, a Galaxy A55 or similar offers better all-round substance for a modest premium. If you prioritize screen time, brightness, and day-to-day speed over durability and performance headroom, this phone justifies its price.
Verdict
Best for budget-conscious users in emerging markets who spend most time scrolling, video, and messaging and don't game seriously. Skip it if you value durability, sharp text, or consistent high-frame-rate gaming performance.
- 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh and 1300 nits peak brightness—readability in sunlight is genuinely useful
- 50W charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in 56 minutes; 50% in 21 minutes means a realistic quick-charge scenario
- Dual 50MP cameras with f/1.9 main sensor and OIS handle low-light shots cleanly; the 114° ultrawide is genuinely wide
- Nothing OS 3.0 is clean and minimal, avoiding the bloat that kills battery life on some rivals at this price
- Plastic back and Gorilla Glass 5 feel less durable than rivals for 2024; scratches appear quickly without a case
- Dimensity 7350 Pro handles everyday apps fine but stutters on intense 3D games—you'll notice the gap vs mid-range chips from a year ago
- 1080p resolution on a 6.7-inch screen softens text and small details; 395 ppi is acceptable but not sharp
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, July 31 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% 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 (~395 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm |
| Selfie camera | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Software | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 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) Plus FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Phone (2a) Plus support 5G?
Yes. The Phone (2a) Plus supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Phone (2a) Plus use?
The Phone (2a) Plus runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm).
What display does the Phone (2a) Plus have?
A 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% 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 (~395 ppi density).
How big is the Phone (2a) Plus battery?
The Phone (2a) Plus has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min.
Does the Phone (2a) Plus have NFC?
Yes, the Phone (2a) Plus has NFC.
Is the Phone (2a) Plus water resistant?
The Phone (2a) Plus 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) Plus support a microSD card?
No, the Phone (2a) Plus does not support expandable storage.
Does the Phone (2a) Plus have a headphone jack?
No, the Phone (2a) Plus does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Phone (2a) Plus isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Phone (2a)
CMF Phone 1
Phone (3a) Pro
Phone (3a)
Galaxy A56
