These days smartphones are made from a few moulds, meaning many of the phones available in the market today, look very similar. Picking up a phone that is unique-looking is not something that happens often. But with the Nothing Phone (2a), there is finally a phone that gives a whole new experience.
If you haven’t heard of Nothing yet, that is ok, as only those that know, really know Nothing. See what I did there? Nothing Technology Limited (AKA Nothing) is a British manufacturer founded by Carl Pei, who also co-founded OnePlus, for those in the know. Nothing also sells wireless headphones, such as the Nothing Ear (1) and Ear (2). Let’s get back to the Phone (2a). I first heard of Nothing a year or two ago when I was on X (formerly Twitter) and saw Casey Neistat and MKBHD (The two OG’s of YouTube) talking about Nothing Phones. What caught my attention was the design of the back of the phone, with its exposed look and LED notification lights, called the Glyph. The Glyph sets Nothing phones apart from all other smartphones on the market. The Glyph was introduced on the Nothing Phone (1). Then on the Phone (2) and Nothing Phone (2a).
I got to spend some time with the Phone (2a) to learn more about it, and why it has been getting loads of attention amongst my colleagues in the creator community.
Watch below for the full unboxing experience and first look at the Phone (2a)
Unboxing Experience
The Nothing Phone (2a) comes in a cardboard box with an awesome graphic showing the camera lens and the Glyph. There is also branding and some useful info of the device at the back.
The cardboard box is opened and another cardboard box is pulled out. This one has embossed elements of the camera lenses and the Glyph, which gives a nice tactile experience. Swinging open the cover of the inside box, you are greeted by a welcome to Nothing message on the left and the phone sitting on the right. Lifting up the phone, which is covered in protective wrapping, and then the cardboard insert, you will find the USB Type C to C cable, which has clear connection ends with Nothing branding, a really nice touch. Next, you have the safety and warranty info, and lastly the sim ejector tool, once again, this is not like any other sim ejector tool. The Nothing version has a clear plastic cylinder to hold with the metal pin inserted in it. Something else I tell you!
The Phone (2a)
Next, we are ready to finally remove the protective wrapping from the Nothing Phone (2a). On the wrapping you will find symbols for the different ports around the device. Seeing the device for the first time, one can tell how premium this device actually is. Starting with the back of the device, which is made of plastic and is see-through so the internals of the phone are exposed. The back is rather reflective and will be a fingerprint magnet. You have the raised dual camera module in the top middle section, housed inside the NFC coil, which Nothing calls “the eyes”. Then you have the Glyph located all around the back of the device.
On the sides of the device, you will find the power/unlock button, the USB Type C port, the speakers, mic and sim slot, which houses two sim cards, and the volume rocker. I love that the back has curved edges which bend around the edge of the phone as well as rounded corners, giving the device a smooth look and feel.
The Phone (2a) is a unique-looking device that is not trying to copy other devices. Thanks to its IP54 rating, the Phone (2a) has been tested for water and dust resistance. The (2a) will be available in two colours in South Africa: The Black and White options. Though overseas you get Milk and Blue as well.
Software Experience
The Phone (2a) runs stock Android 14 out of the box with the Nothing OS 2.5 overlay. You get 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates. Nothing OS delivers a fast and smooth user experience with reduced distractions and the ability to customise to make the phone suit your needs. I quite like the option to change the icons from the usual branded app icons to a monochromatic theme, so all the icons have the same theme. This helps reduce the level of noise that can occur on a smartphone.
Nothing OS 2.5 lets you do more on your home and lock screens thanks to Nothing widgets. These widgets are little windows into your apps, with swipeable views and animations, and there are loads to choose from.
Nothing is determined to provide a fast and smooth user experience and this is evident in the Phone (2a) which has app opening speeds that are twice as what one gets on the Phone (1).
ChatGPT is also built into the Phone (2a) and if you are lucky enough to have the Nothing earbuds, you will be able to ask, listen and learn on the go! The ChatGPT widget also provides access to AI at your fingertips.
Glyph
The Glyph is the most exciting feature of the Nothing Phone (2a) and is pretty much a game changer. The purpose of the Glyph located on the rear of the device is to let you do life without having to keep checking your phone. Instead of checking your phone for notifications or missed calls, you can simply place the Phone (2a) on a table and let the Glyph use its flashing lights in various patterns and sounds, to let you know if you have a notification or an incoming call.
There are 15 different Glyph types that you can set for calls and notifications, so you can set something which is really intense in its flashing, or something more discreet. And what is really nifty is the fact that you can set different Glyphs for your contacts. So you can set a Glyph that will be displayed only for important family members so that you know when it is vital that you do check your phone. Flip to Glyph lets you place your phone display down on a surface, which will automatically activate Do Not Disturb, and only the Glyph will flash to let you know that you have a call or notification. Glyph is not only useful for notifications. It can be used for the camera shutter to let you know when a photo has been taken, or as a ring light. When listening to music, Glyph can dance to your music for some party lights. Glyph can also be used as a timer and to show your volume level.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Phone (2a) delivers superior performance thanks to its Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro 5G and its Octa Core processor. With either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, with the added benefit of using RAM booster, which uses storage as RAM to add a further 8GB, the phone can handle whatever you throw at it. RAM booster also remembers your commonly used apps and where you left off. Whether you are checking your emails, consuming content or gaming, the Phone (2a) has what it needs to keep up.
For those who do a lot on their phone, there is an advanced cooling system, which keeps the device cooler for better performance and longevity. The cooling system is made up of a 3200mm2 extra large vapour chamber, which provides faster and more even heat distribution. There is also a 12000mm2 large cooling area with a thick graphite layer for rapid heat dissipation.
Display
The 120Hz 6.7 inch AMOLED display delivers a smooth, rich and vibrant experience. Whether you are looking at photos, watching some series, or doing some emails, the display will ensure that you can get the job done, and let’s not forget that it can go as bright as 1300 nits!
Camera
The rear camera setup is made up of two 50MP lenses, one of them being the main camera and the other an ultrawide lens with a 114 degree FOV. You get OIS and EIS to ensure that you capture steady shots. The camera app is easy to use and has all the needed features and settings at hand. The rear camera can record video in 4K @ 30fps / 1080P @ 60fps and 1080P @ 120fps (Slo-Mo). The selfie camera captures photos in 32MP and lets you record video in 1080P @ 60fps.
Watch below to see how the video footage looks:
Photos captured on the Phone (2a) are vibrant and rich in detail thanks to the TrueLens Engine, which uses advanced computational photography algorithms to ensure that the photos look realistic. Ultra XDR does a great job at differentiating between contrasts.
Night Mode, uses multiple pixels and OIS to increase exposure time without shake, to boost light intake and reduce noise, so that you can capture photos when the light is low. These photos look sharp with no noise.
Blurry shots are a thing of the past thanks to Motion Capture, which adjusts the shutter speed when movement is detected to capture blur-free shots!
You will never have unfocused faces in group shots thanks to Portrait Optimiser which uses AI to detect faces in the frame and increases the resolution.
Audio
Thanks to its stereo speaker, the Phone (2a) offers an impressive viewing experience whether you are listening to music or watching movies. The stereo speakers do a good job at providing crisp and deep audio.
Connectivity
The Phone (2a) is well kitted out to keep you connected, thanks to its Dual 5G support, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6 and NFC.
Security
To keep your data secure, the in-screen optical scanner and face unlock options will let you securely unlock your device.
Battery Life
The Phone (2a) is powered by a 5000 mAh battery. The battery together with the battery management options should give you enough power to get through the day, depending on your usage of course. I found for taking some pics, watching some videos, the usual social media and messaging, the battery handled very well, with more than enough juice left at the end of the day. When it comes to charging, the Phone (2a) supports 45W Fast Charge which lets you charge to 100% in 59 minutes and 50% in 23 minutes.
Price and Availability
The Nothing Phone (2a) will be selling in South Africa for R10K for the 12GB/256GB version while the 8GB/128GB version will sell for R7999. The Phone (2a) is now for sale in South Africa and can be purchased on the local Nothing Tech website: https://www.nothingtech.co.za/shop/
Overall Verdict
The Nothing Phone (2a) is designed for those who desire something different in a phone. A phone that lets you live more in the moment. The design and build quality stands out from the crowds. The Glyph is not only a great feature which lets you be in the moment, it also provides another way to interact with your phone. The overall experience of using the Nothing Phone (2a) is something out of the ordinary. Well, this is a Nothing product after all, and I am excited that South Africa gets to experience Nothing as well! Will you be getting the Phone (2a)?
Keep an eye on https://www.nothingtech.co.za/ for more info as to when the Nothing Phone (2a) will be available in South Africa.
 is designed for those who desire something different in a phone. A phone that lets you live more in the moment. Read full review!){kind=link}