Nothing Announces its Latest Device Phone (2a)

Tech disruptor Nothing has just announced Phone (2a), the latest member of its design-led line up of smartphones, available to pre-order now before a wider global launch on March 12. Additionally, the brand is hosting pop-ups in 13 cities starting tomorrow, giving fans a chance to be one of the first to own the new device.

Phone (2a) builds off the brand’s flagship device, Phone (2), that launched last summer. It brings along many of its features and signature design cues at a more accessible price. The 8-core chip is clocks in at 2.8 GHz and, together with 20 GB RAM, makes light work of multitasking and runs heavier apps with ease. The back of the phone – where Nothing’s signature transparent back and glyph lighting system lies – has been completely redesigned with twin cameras that sit side by side horizontally like eyes; these are surrounded by the newly designed glyph interface which has been streamlined and kept to the top half of the phone.

Inside, Phone (2a) is powered by a Dimensity 7200 Pro processor that’s been co-created with the chipmaker, MediaTek, optimizing it for use in Phone (2a). The battery has also been improved and Phone (2a) now houses the biggest battery in a Nothing phone at 5,000 mAh, enough to keep the phone going “for up to two days straight on a single charge,” according to the brand (for comparison, Phone (2a)’s battery is even bigger than Nothing’s flagship device, Phone 2, which has a 4,700 mAh battery). Like all Nothing phones, Phone (2a) is Android based and comes ready with Android 14 out the box, reskinned into Nothing’s OS 2.5.

Phone (2a) features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1,300 nits. The screen has a dynamic refresh rate and can produce super smooth visuals at 120 Hz for high-demanding content. Additionally, Phone (2a) has the slimmest bezels in a Nothing phone to date, something that brand achieved with a combination of materials and engineering improvements.

There are twin rear cameras onboard Phone (2a) – both with 50 MP sensors – as well as optical image stabilization. Video can be captured at 4K by the main rear camera, whilst the front “selfie” camera is able to capture 1080p content at 60 FPS, ideal for crystal clear video calling.

Phone (2a) is also pushing the company’s pledge for circularity in tech. It has been made with 100% recycled aluminum on the mid frame and 100% recycled tin on 6 of its circuit boards. On its main circuit board, Nothing has used 100% recycled copper foil, whilst recycled steel is found on over 20 of the phone stamping parts.

When the London-based brand entered the smartphone market with its first phone – you guessed it, Phone (1) – it was widely praised for offering a mix of considered design aesthetics, features and affordability. With Phone (2a), Nothing looks to retain the entry level price point that attracted its earliest fans, without sacrificing any of its unique selling points.

Phone (2a) launches in three colors: ‘Black’ and ‘White’, which are similar to its previous two transparent color options, and a new ‘Milk’ colorway, an off-white iteration with contrasting black side buttons. The phones will be available in 8GB / 128GB and 12GB / 256GB memory options (with only the latter available in the US), priced at £319 GBP and £349 GBP / $349 USD respectively. Pre-orders are open now via the brand’s website.