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Despite the buzz around AI capabilities in smartphones this year, perhaps the most anticipated release is a budget incarnation; the Nothing Phone 2a.
The Nothing Phone (2) is an excellent device with a totally unique operating software. However, one main criticism was the rise in price. Carl Pei’s Nothing brand is meant to be disruptive and accessible, but its pricing strategy has started to look a lot like the large companies it rails against.
As a result, Nothing is delivering the Nothing Phone (2a); a stripped-back, more affordable version of the Nothing Phone (2).
But just how stripped back will it be? And what does Carl Pei mean by affordable? Let’s find out.
Nothing Phone 2a Release Date
The Nothing Phone (2a) will be launched on Tuesday 5th March. You can sign up for updates on the Nothing website to get a £20 discount.
This means the newest Nothing phone will be released before the next flagship model, the Nothing Phone (3). Nothing is also choosing not to release the phone at the MWC in Barcelona at the end of February.
We’re expecting the Nothing Phone (3) to be released in July 2024, so this would give the (2a) time to breathe.
Nothing Phone 2a Pricing
This is the most crucial aspect of the Nothing Phone (2a)’s success. No matter what is inside the phone, the (2a) must be genuinely affordable if Carl Pei’s philosophy is sincere.
The whole mantra behind the (2a) is that with most budget phones you pay cheap and get cheap. You aren’t actually getting value for money. But with Nothing’s affordable option, you will still get high-quality specs but for less money.
But just how much less? Early rumours are suggesting that the Nothing Phone (2a) will cost €349. That’s about £299 or $376. For that, you will get 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage.
If these figures are accurate, then this is exciting. For a Nothing Phone (2) with the same specs, you’ll be paying £579/$599. So a sub-£300/$350 version would offer excellent value. Just for comparison, similarly priced smartphones include the Oneplus Nord CE 3 Lite and the Samsung A54 5G.
If Carl Pei holds true to his word and delivers good quality specs within this price range, it could be a game changer.
Nothing Phone 2a Specifications
Carl Pei has preached extensively about the cynical way companies like Honor, Samsung and Oppo ‘trick’ people into buying cheap phones with poor quality specs. For example, they put large camera covers over the actual sensors to make them look bigger.
So, we should be expecting good quality materials and performance, similar to those found in the Nothing Phone (2), from the Nothing Phone (2a). Otherwise, Pei will have egg on his face.
Leaks suggest that the phone will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, a mid-range processor known for its performance and efficiency. The Dimensity 7200 is intended as an upper mid-range processor and has already been used in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
The chip uses 4nm technology, has an 8-core processor and is optimised for some pretty high-end AI imaging capabilities. The Dimensity 7200 can also support a 2220×1080 pixel screen which is FHD+ quality and a 144Hz refresh rate.
For comparison, it performs similarly to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, another upper-mid-range chip used in phones like the OnePlus 9R and the Xiaomi 12X. So as much as Nothing wants the (2a) to be different, it will perform similarly to the very phones they oppose.
But this can be mitigated by the operating system. Companies like Xiaomi cram their phones with bloatware. Nothing OS doesn’t. In fact, it goes for a minimalist approach which has the potential to maximise the efficiency of the Dimensity chip.
The other important feature that makes or breaks a budget phone is the camera system. Often, budget phones have far inferior sensors because they cost a lot of money. But some rumours are suggesting that the Nothing Phone (2a) will include two rear 50MP sensors, with one being an ultrawide lens.
I can’t see this being true myself because that would make it nearly comparable to the flagship Nothing Phone (2). But I do see Nothing trying to fit in one 50MP sensor. One of the main questions have when buying a Nothing phone is the camera quality. So the company needs to keep high-quality equipment in all of their devices.
Additionally, the expectation is that the Nothing Phone (2a) will ship with a 6.9-inch OLED display. Noticeably, Nothing hasn’t yet used an AMOLED display. With a 120Hz refresh rate, it will match phones like the Xiaomi 12X.
All of this is pure rumour and speculation remember. But even if half of it is true, the Nothing Phone (2a) is shaping up to be pretty similar to other phones at a similar price.
That means the main selling point will be Nothing OS. You will be able to get your hands on it for a budget price, but is that a big enough draw for the average consumer? I’m not so sure.
Nothing Phone (2a) Design
There are some funky rumours going around about the Nothing Phone (2a)’s design. Some are suggesting a redesigned Glyph Interface. Those are the flashing lights on the back of the phone for those who didn’t know.
Instead of a random arrangement, the (2a)’s Glyph Interface might be arranged around a central camera unit. This also means the cameras could be moved from the top left-hand corner into the middle of the phone’s rear casing. A bit like the Samsung Galaxy S10.
This seems like the least likely rumour to be true. Why redesign it this much if the whole point is that you are getting the Nothing Phone (2), with some reduced features, for a bargain price? It also looks much less cool.
And as for colour options, well, if there’s one thing Pei hates more than anything it’s glossy, faux metal colourways.
The Bottom Line
Nothing is talking a big game with the Nothing Phone (2a). There is an air of superiority coming from their disruptive hallways. They seem serious about making a budget phone that has much more value for money than some similarly priced models.
But I’m finding it hard to fully buy-in. And that’s because Nothing has broken their word already with their new CMF brand.
Nothing set out to change the industry by not adding to the pile of ‘affordable’, copycat tech devices and instead focusing on innovation and quality. But that has changed. CMF is all about making, let’s be honest, cheaper tech that looks a bit techno-steampunky.
Don’t get me wrong, I like that there is a cheaper offering from Nothing. I just question their high and mighty stance when the (2a) will almost certainly perform much like its competitors. The one game-changing factor will be Nothing OS. If you’re a fan, then its good news, you can get access at about half the price of the Nothing Phone (2).
My other concern is that, for about the same price, you can buy a Pixel 7a. The Pixel 7a is one of the best smartphones of recent years, let alone budget smartphones. And I can’t see the Nothing Phone (2a) getting close to the 7a’s performance or, more importantly, camera quality.
Unless there’s a massive turn up for the books, I can’t see myself recommending anyone buy the (2a) over a Pixel 7a.
How are you feeling about the Nothing Phone (2a)? Let me know below!
