The cheaper however restricted choice
The Nothing Phone 2a is the newly launched cheaper, much less feature-rich various to the Nothing Phone 2. Limited availability apart, it’ll prevent a couple of bucks however nonetheless boasts the signature Glyph interface, large display screen, and Nothing OS customization choices, with very minor variations between the 2 telephones.
ForDistinctive Glyph design with responsive lightsLarge, high-res screenCheaper optionAgainstNo expandable storageOnly IP54 ratedNo wi-fi charging help
A step up for a couple of extra bucks
For a couple of extra bucks, you will get the Nothing Phone 2, which provides options like wi-fi charging help, extra gentle strips on the again, and an improved processor. It’s additionally extra extensively obtainable on the time of this writing, so relying on the place you reside, it may be your solely choice anyway.
ForExtra gentle steps and addressable Glyph interface zonesLarge high-res screenSupports wi-fi chargingAgainstNo expandable storageOnly IP54 ratedMore costly
When it involves discovering the suitable cellphone, you may be fascinated with wanting past the standard manufacturers. That’s the place a model like Nothing is available in, and the Nothing Phone 2 vs. Nothing Phone 2a is an fascinating comparability. The telephones look related and boast related characteristic units. The Nothing Phone 2a is the newer, barely step-down, extra inexpensive choice. But will it meet your wants, and might you even get it? Let’s have a look.Nothing Phone 2a vs. Phone 2: The seems to be and fundamentals(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Nothing Phone 2a has the identical Glyph interface with which Nothing followers have develop into accustomed, with a clear again that allows you to see the inside workings inside. It is available in black, white, or Milk colorways and has a complete of three gentle strips on the again that illuminate to point out completely different actions, from incoming notifications to an expired timer, quantity changes, and music playback. This is complemented by 26 addressable Glyph interface zones that actually make the cellphone stand out amongst others you’ve seen past those from this model. The display screen is an ample-sized 6.7-inch AMOLED with an honest 2,412 x 1,080-pixel decision and 1,300 nits peak brightness. You rise up to 120Hz refresh charge and all the way down to about 30Hz. Encased in a polycarbonate chassis with aluminum aspect rails coated in a polycarbonate resin, this finances cellphone isn’t ultra-rugged by any means. But it does have a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display screen, and also you’ll most likely defend the cellphone in a case anyway. In addition to having fun with the lights on the outside of the system, it’s also possible to customise the cellphone’s display screen utilizing themes like monochromatic. Choose from many nothing OS widgets to additional personalize the expertise so the cellphone gives all the data you’ll want to get by way of your day. Android Central’s Nicholas Sutrich says in his overview of the Nothing Phone 2 that the corporate’s residence display screen design has a chilled high quality to it. Speaking of which, the Nothing Phone 2a has a 5,000mAh battery that gives you a day or two of use per cost, and it helps 45W quick charging that may get you one other day in simply 20 minutes. There’s no help for wi-fi or reverse charging, although. The IP54-rated cellphone can stand up to small sprays of water, however it may be submerged. It comes with both 128GB or 256GB storage together with USB-C, twin 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, a fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and stereo audio system. However, one factor to remember is that as of this writing, the Nothing Phone 2a is barely obtainable within the U.Ok. and India, although these within the U.S. can get their fingers on one as a part of the developer program. There’s no official phrase on widespread U.S. availability simply but.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)How does that examine to the Nothing Phone 2? The mid-level step-up, though a yr older, is certainly obtainable within the U.S. proper now. So, proper off the bat, it’s simpler to get your fingers on. It employs the identical Glyph interface, obtainable in darkish gray or white. It has extra addressable Glyph interface zones at 33 and nearly 4 instances the variety of gentle strips at 11. So, this cellphone shines extra brightly on the again and might present extra notifications, or at the very least extra element with notifications, than the subtler technique with the Glyph interface on the Nothing Phone 2a. It has the identical 6.7-inch, 2,412 x 1,080 AMOLED display screen however larger peak brightness at 1,600 nits, so you possibly can count on this cellphone’s display screen to be a bit brighter and bolder, maybe simpler to learn in direct daylight. It, too, goes as much as 120Hz refresh charge however may also go all the way down to 1Hz, which may make a distinction by way of battery life and effectivity relying on what duties you’re doing. Made of aluminum, it has a premium and light-weight really feel to it. Sutrich says the curved again provides to the elegant really feel as nicely. The cellphone is by and huge an identical in dimension to its newer sister system (although oddly barely heavier as nicely). It has the identical Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display screen as nicely, and works with the identical Nothing OS, widgets, and extra for a custom-made expertise on display screen. Interestingly, the Nothing Phone 2 has a smaller 4,700mAh battery, although it’s nonetheless rated to final a day or extra. It additionally helps 15W wi-fi charging in addition to wired together with 5W reverse charging, with the promise that you just’ll get a full wired cost in underneath an hour. Nonetheless, for those who use wi-fi chargers, you’ll need to follow this cellphone. The Nothing Phone 2 has the identical IP54 ranking, so neither of those telephones will go swimming with you, nor will they even be utilized by the pool and not using a protecting case. (Note that due to the digicam placement on the again and marginal distinction in dimension, you received’t be capable to use a Nothing Phone 2 case on the Nothing Phone 2a and vice versa). With the Nothing Phone 2, you get the addition of 512GB storage together with 128GB and 256GB, a possible deciding issue since neither cellphone gives expandable storage. Other options are the identical, together with USB-C, twin 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, a fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and stereo audio system.Nothing Phone 2a vs. Phone 2: The specsLet’s see how these two telephones examine head-to-head when inspecting specs alone.Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 Nothing Phone 2aNothing Phone 2OSAndroid 14Android 13ColorsBlack, White, Milk (Glyph Interface)Dark Grey, White (Glyph Interface)Screen Size6.7 inches6.7 inchesScreen Resolution1,080 x 2,4121,080 x 2,412Screen TypeAMOLEDAMOLEDRefresh Price30Hz-120Hz1Hz-120HzProcessorMediatek Dimensity 7200 ProSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1RAM8GB, 12GB12GBStorage128GB, 256GB128GB, 256GB, 512GBCameras50MP most important, 50MP ultra-wide, 32MP entrance50MP most important, 50MP ultra-wide, 32MP frontSpeakersStereo SpeakersStereo SpeakersBattery5,000mAh4,700mAhWireless ChargingNoYesBluetooth5.35.3Water ResistantIP54IP54Cellular5G5GSize6.37 x 3 x .034 inches6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 inchesWeight190 grams201.2 gramsNothing Phone 2a vs. Phone 2: Power, processing, and extra(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Both these telephones, as famous, look beautiful and distinctive on the skin. But what’s going on behind-the-scenes within the inside workings of the gadgets? The Nothing Phone 2a has a slower processor, which is likely one of the key options that makes it the step-down finances choice. It runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro octa-core processor, which is greater than adequate for on a regular basis actions. In truth, it’s extra than simply adequate: in his first impressions overview, Sutrich performed a number of cellular video games on the system, and so they ran and not using a hitch. This may be partially because of the superior cooling system, massive vapor chamber, and huge cooling space that helps dissipate warmth. If you go for the 128GB model, you’ll get 8GB RAM, however it’s advisable to go together with the 256GB variant, which gives 12GB RAM. A RAM booster characteristic can use any free storage you could have as extra reminiscence, so the cellphone runs extra effectively as nicely. The cellphone comes out of the field with Android 14 and helps three years of main Android updates and 4 years of safety updates. That’s not fairly so long as with among the larger manufacturers, however it’s nonetheless an honest period of time to make sure you get probably the most out of the funding.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)How concerning the Nothing Phone 2? As the older mannequin, it comes with Android 13 out of the field however helps as much as three years of main Android updates (which suggests you could have two left after Android 14) and 4 years of safety updates, that are delivered often to the system. It runs on the extra highly effective Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which remains to be a step down from probably the most present premium gadgets, however it is a middle-market cellphone. Sutrich says he by no means felt as if the cellphone’s efficiency was missing in any means regardless of the older processor. He performed varied video games and didn’t expertise lag or slowdowns, even with graphics-heavy titles. As famous, the Nothing Phone 2 comes with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB capacities, and the smallest storage choice is supported by 8GB RAM, whereas the 2 bigger ones include 12GB.Nothing Phone 2a vs. Phone 2: The cameras(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Both the Nothing Phone 2a and Nothing Phone 2 have an identical digicam programs. This features a 50MP twin most important digicam, together with an ultra-wide lens and a 32MP entrance vast digicam. You’ll get all the standard options you’d count on for taking pictures, like evening images, portraits, zoom, panorama, and extra. The greatest distinction lies within the placement of the cameras: the Nothing Phone 2a has the rear digicam within the middle of the again, whereas on the Nothing Phone 2, the cameras are organized vertically down the left aspect. (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Don’t count on to get wonderful pictures from this cellphone, at the very least not when in comparison with extra premium gadgets. But for those who simply need to have the ability to take respectable photographs, they’re each just about the identical on this respect. It’s price noting that for anybody accustomed to the Nothing Phone 1, Sutrich says the cameras have been “substantially improved” in comparison with that earlier technology mannequin. While he didn’t check the cameras within the Nothing Phone 2a at size, Sutrich discovered that with the Nothing Phone 2, he received crisp and clear photographs with respectable dynamic vary, pure colours, and portrait mode cutouts and bokeh which might be “out-of-this-world” good. Assuming the Nothing Phone 2a cameras carry out equally, you’ll be proud of both cellphone on this respect for those who’re stepping up from the Nothing Phone 1.Nothing Phone 2a vs. Phone 2: Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Now comes the choice between the Nothing Phone 2a vs. Nothing Phone 2. Both telephones are available in at inexpensive costs, even with the 512GB/12GB RAM model of the Nothing Phone 2. It comes all the way down to the small particulars. If you need probably the most built-in storage attainable, you’ll need to go together with the Nothing Phone 2 because it gives a 512GB choice. For those that use wi-fi charging typically, the Nothing Phone 2 is the one cellphone of the 2 that helps it. If you could have different appropriate gadgets, you’ll love having the ability to make use of reverse charging, too. Since the Nothing Phone 2a is newer, nonetheless, it’ll final a bit longer by way of software program and safety updates. But realistically, most individuals these days improve their telephones inside 2-3 years anyway. With that stated, if you would like a cellphone you possibly can dangle onto for so long as attainable, the Nothing Phone 2a is the safer choice. If you utilize the cellphone rather a lot outside, you may recognize the upper peak brightness of the Nothing Phone 2, and for those who do numerous intense duties, the higher processor and extra adaptable refresh charge will make a distinction, too. The greatest consideration to make is availability. If you’re in India or the U.Ok., the Nothing Phone 2a is a extra inexpensive choice for those who’re actually pinching pennies and might dwell with the trade-offs. If you’re within the U.S. or Canada, you won’t even be capable to simply get your fingers on the Nothing Phone 2a, at the very least for now. So, follow the Nothing Phone 2. In each instances, you’re getting a beautiful system for a killer worth.
Can’t beat the value
You received’t discover a extra inexpensive cellphone full of as many options and with such a singular look because the Nothing Phone 2a. The solely hindrance proper now could be availability because it’s solely obtainable in choose international locations outdoors of the developer program. But it’s a stable entry-level finances cellphone that doesn’t make too many concessions when in comparison with the Nothing Phone 2.
Step it up
With wider availability and step-up options, the Nothing Phone 2 isn’t an enormous bounce in worth in comparison with the extra inexpensive Nothing Phone 2a. It is an older mannequin, however it’s barely a yr previous, so it nonetheless has tons of life left. With a brighter display screen, higher processor, help for wi-fi charging, and a extra distinguished Glyph interface, it’s well worth the few additional bucks.