Nothing Phone 2a Review: Bold Design Meets Smart Performance Under ₹30,000

Introduction

Launched in March 2024, the Nothing Phone (2a) enters the market as the most affordable entry into the uniquely designed Nothing ecosystem. With prices starting at ₹23,999 for the 8GB/128GB model, the Phone (2a) aims to democratize the signature Nothing design language, Glyph Interface, and minimalist software experience.

TL;DR Verdict: A standout mid-ranger that prioritizes design, clean UI, and a well-rounded experience. Not for power-hungry gamers or camera enthusiasts.

Unboxing & First Impressions

Box Contents:

• Type-C to Type-C cable
• SIM ejector tool
• Safety info & stickers
• No charger included (India & EU)

The packaging is plastic-free, with sustainable materials that reflect Nothing’s environmental ethos.

First Impressions:
The transparent back instantly grabs attention. The symmetrical layout of the dual camera module and minimalist Glyph LEDs are refreshing. Unlike anything else in its price range.

Design & Build Quality

• Back: Transparent polymer blend with 50% recycled materials
• Frame: Plastic with matte finish
• Front Protection: Gorilla Glass 5
• IP Rating: IP54 splash & dust resistance
• Weight: 190g
• Thickness: 8.5 mm

Glyph Interface 2.0

• LED Zones: 3 LED strips (around cameras + bottom indicator)
• Customizations: App-specific ringtones, notification priority (Flip to Glyph), countdown timer indicators

In-hand feel: Excellent ergonomics; the lightweight build and flat sides make it pocket-friendly. Buttons are tactile and well-positioned.

Display

• Size: 6.7” Flexible AMOLED
• Resolution: FHD+ (2412×1084)
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive
• Touch Sampling: 240Hz
• Brightness: Peak 1300 nits (HDR)
• Color: 100% DCI-P3, sRGB accurate
• PWM Dimming: 2160Hz
• HDR: HDR10+

Bezels: Almost uniform 2.1mm bezels on all sides.

Real-world Usage:

• Excellent for content consumption
• Glyph sync with Always-On Display (AOD)
• Smooth 120Hz scrolling with no ghosting

Performance & Benchmarks

• Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm TSMC)
• RAM: 8GB / 12GB LPDDR4X
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2

Benchmarks:

• AnTuTu v10: ~700,000
• Geekbench 6: 1130 (Single), 2700 (Multi)
• 3DMark Wild Life: ~4000 points
• CPU Throttle Test: ~88% peak sustained after 15 min

Day-to-Day Performance:

• Snappy UI transitions
• Zero lag while multitasking
• App launch times rival phones with Snapdragon 7 Gen 1

Gaming Experience

Titles Tested:

• BGMI: 90fps (Stable)
• COD Mobile: Max settings @ 60fps
• Genshin Impact: Medium-High settings ~45fps avg
• Asphalt 9: High @ 60fps

Game Mode Enhancements:

• Glyph sync to vibration or music
• Dolby Atmos sound profile
• Haptic feedback during gameplay

Thermals:

• Slight heating around the top-left after 30 min
• No throttling unless pushing Genshin beyond high

Battery Drain (30 min sessions):

• BGMI: ~7%
• Genshin: ~9%

Software & UI

• OS: Nothing OS 2.5 (Android 14)
• Design: Dot-matrix fonts, monochrome icons, curated widgets

Bloatware:

• Only 2 non-removable apps
• No ads or push notifications

Notable Features:

• Glyph Composer: Create ringtones with light sync
• Lock Screen Shortcuts
• Customizable widgets, grid control, icon size
• Integration with Nothing Ear (2), CMF Watch

Update Commitment:

• 3 years Android + 4 years security

Camera System

Rear:

• 50MP Sony IMX890 (OIS)
• 50MP Samsung JN1 ultrawide (114°)

Front:

• 32MP Sony IMX615 punch-hole

Camera Samples Summary:

Scenario	Outcome
Daylight	Excellent color, detail, fast focus
Indoors	Slight grain in complex textures
Low-light	OIS helps; noise control is fair
Portraits	Great separation, minor edge blur
Ultrawide	Acceptable sharpness, low HDR range
Macro	Decent via ultrawide, fixed focus

Video:

• 4K @ 30fps rear, 1080p @ 60fps front
• Stabilization: OIS + EIS blend
• Audio: Clear stereo with minimal wind pickup

Features:

• Expert mode (Pro, RAW)
• Motion tracking
• Glyph fill light for macros

Battery Life & Charging

• Capacity: 5000mAh
• Charging: 45W PD (PPS)
• No charger in-box (India/EU)
• Wired reverse charging supported

Charging Time:

• 0-50%: ~22 min
• 0-100%: ~59 min

Real-World SoT:

Use Case	Time
Light (Wi-Fi, social)	8-9 hrs
Medium (video, multitask)	6.5-7 hrs
Heavy (gaming + cam)	5-5.5 hrs

Battery Optimization: Smart Adaptive charging at night

Audio & Haptics

• Speakers: Stereo with Dirac tuning
• Loudness: 88dB max
• 3.5mm Jack: No
• Bluetooth: LDAC, aptX Adaptive, AAC
• Haptics: X-axis motor synced with UI & Glyph

Connectivity & Network

• 5G Bands: n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n77/n78
• Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, eSIM supported
• GPS: Dual-band; accurate location lock
• Carrier Aggregation: Supported (4G + 5G)

Call Quality:

• Crisp voice
• Low jitter even in fringe areas

Security & Biometrics

• Fingerprint: Optical in-display (avg 280ms)
• Face Unlock: Fast in light, fallback in dark
• Privacy Tools: Microphone/camera toggle, App Locker, Secure Folder

Sensors & Extras

• Gyroscope, e-Compass, Accelerometer, Ambient Light
• Proximity: Hardware-based
• No Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
• Glyph LEDs show timer, charging status, volume level

Pros & Cons Table

Pros	Cons
Unique transparent design + Glyph LEDs	No wireless charging
Smooth 120Hz AMOLED	No charger in box
Clean, bloat-free Nothing OS	Dimensity 7200 Pro is mid-range only
Solid 50MP main camera with OIS	Ultrawide lacks autofocus

Competition Check

Phone	Display	SoC	Camera	Charging	Price (INR)
Nothing Phone (2a)	6.7″ FHD+ AMOLED	Dimensity 7200 Pro	50+50MP + 32MP	45W	23,999
Pixel 7a	6.1″ OLED	Tensor G2	64+13MP + 13MP	18W	36,999
Galaxy A35 5G	6.6″ AMOLED	Exynos 1380	50+8+5MP + 13MP	25W	30,999
Redmi Note 13 Pro+	6.7″ 1.5K AMOLED	Dimensity 7200 Ultra	200+8+2MP + 16MP	120W	27,999
iQOO Z9 Turbo	6.78″ AMOLED	Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3	50+2MP + 16MP	80W	24,999*

Category Winners:

• Design: Nothing Phone (2a)
• Performance: iQOO Z9 Turbo
• Camera: Pixel 7a (overall), Nothing for main lens
• Charging: Redmi Note 13 Pro+
• Software: Nothing OS (clean), Pixel for updates

Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Buy if you:

• Love standout phone designs
• Want a clean Android experience
• Appreciate functional aesthetics like Glyph
• Enjoy good camera with OIS

Skip if you:

• Need expandable storage or 3.5mm jack
• Want bundled fast charger
• Prioritize telephoto or ultrawide lenses

Final Verdict

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

The Nothing Phone (2a) is arguably the best-designed smartphone under ₹25,000. With its Glyph Interface 2.0, minimalist bloat-free UI, and decent all-round hardware, it sets itself apart in the crowded mid-range segment.

Verdict: Buy if you want a phone that looks, feels, and behaves differently—without compromising essentials.

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FAQs

Q1: Is the Nothing Phone (2a) waterproof?

• It has IP54 rating for splash resistance, not fully waterproof.

Q2: Will it get Android 17?

• Yes, with 3 Android updates promised (till Android 17).

Q3: How bright are the Glyph LEDs?

• Bright enough to notice in daylight, not blinding at night.

Q4: Does it support carrier aggregation?

• Yes, 4G and 5G CA are supported.

Q5: Can you map custom ringtones to Glyph?

• Yes, via Glyph Composer in Nothing OS 2.5.

Q6: Does it ship with a charger in India?

• No, the charger is sold separately in most regions.

Q7: How is GCam support?

• Early ports exist and improve low-light and HDR significantly.

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Would you buy the Nothing Phone (2a)? Share your thoughts or questions below!

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