This is the Nothing Phone (2a), a very unexpected smartphone release from Nothing.
If you’re wondering why does this phone even exists and how is it different compared to the Nothing Phone (1) and the Nothing Phone (2), well, let’s talk.
So let’s start with the unboxing. Instead of the square-shaped box like the previous generation, this phone comes with a usual rectangular-shaped smartphone box.
In front, there’s a new camera array design that the phone has and a new model number.
Over there at the back, there are the specs of the RAM and the storage of the phone, including this new color, more on this later. Then there’ll be a red tab at the top side of the box to open it up.
After sliding the box, there’ll be another very unique white textured box, which opens up like a book to reveal the phone.
Then there’s the Nothing Phone, USB-C to USB-C cable, the same ones that you get in the Nothing Phone (2), the paperwork, and the transparent SIM ejector tool.
As for the phone’s new design, Nothing basically took what’s great on the Nothing Phone (1) and the Phone (2) and smashed them together.
There are several improvements over the first Nothing Phone, where it has a larger screen, a better camera setup, and a better chipset among others. But of course, the most striking difference is how different it is compared to the previous phones.
For one, the camera array is located in the middle of the phone rather than at the side like how it was before. 
Secondly, the glyph interface is only at the top half of the phone instead of the whole back.
And speaking of which, you may have noticed that the top and the bottom halves are different design, where it seems like there are two different things stuck together. Well, there is a reason for that, as Nothing wanted to portray a softer or a cuter look.
To me, the camera is looking like an eye, kind of reminds me of the Pokémon character Diglett. Right? Do you see that too?
Then looking at the bottom half, it is inspired by the New York subway system with the asymmetrical design. 
Now, fun fact, Nothing says that the Nothing Phone (2a) is pretty much the same design concept just a few months after the company was formed, and this was way before the launch of the first Nothing Phone (1). So you tell me, did Nothing make a good decision with going with this instead of this?
Then the back panel uses a polycarbonate shell a.k.a. plastic this time around compared to the previous phone’s glass panel. Now, this unfortunately means that there’s no wireless charging since there is a price reduction. The inside and the part of the outside of the phone are recycled aluminum.
And while the color of the phone that I have with me looks like it’s white, right? But apparently, it’s not, because they actually call it Milk, which I find fascinating because who calls their phone’s color milk? Only Nothing with their very creative mind can come up with something like this.
Then there’s also a standard black color, and yes, there will apparently be a white color variant. And let’s see how is it different compared to this milk color. For me, I feel like the black color variant is a huge fingerprint magnet, so the milk variant is a better choice.
Then looking at the sides, it has a matte black lock button on the right and the volume buttons on the left. And I love that it contrasts beautifully with the white aluminum sides.
As mentioned before, the phone’s camera module is placed towards the center of the phone, which increases the phone stability when placed on a flat surface. And I’m a huge fan of that design because this means that the phone won’t wobble when I’m typing it on a table, which I tend to do when I’m working on my desk.
And I also love how I can just rest my finger on the camera bump when I’m using it daily. It’s not like a huge feature or anything, but it is these tiny little things that make the overall experience of using the Nothing Phone (2a) a very good overall experience.
And I also love the fact that the “pillowed glass” design makes a return on this phone, making this one of the most comfortable phones that I ever held in my hand.
Now what’s interesting is that this display on the Nothing Phone (2a) and the Nothing Phone (2) is the same size, which is a 6.7-inch AMOLED display. And this is a bigger spec bump compared to the original Nothing phone’s 6.55-inch screen.
Like all of its previous phones, it uses a flexible AMOLED display with very symmetrical curves around the screen. And what’s even more interesting is that the Nothing Phone (2a) has the thinnest bezel compared to Nothing Phone (1) and Nothing Phone (2).
And with that, watching videos and just using the phone for the past several days was really nice, definitely one of the best smartphone displays within this segment and price factor with up to 1,300 nits of peak brightness.
Next, let’s talk about specs.
Firstly, the phone has an IP54 rating. It has a Dynamic Refresh Rate that can display between 30 Hz to 120 Hz. Now this is incredibly useful, of course, for preserving battery and it is a lot better than the dynamic refresh rate on the Phone (1), which only goes from 60 Hz to 120 Hz. And this Nothing Phone (2a) has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Then as for the chipset, the phone comes with the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, and Nothing has chosen to work closely with MediaTek to develop a special version of this Dimensity 7200 processor.
This is very similar to how Samsung works with Qualcomm to co-develop the Made For Galaxy processors for their Samsung Galaxy phones.
So the Dimensity 7200 Pro is made using TSMC’s second-generation 4nm process. TSMC, if you’re not aware, is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which is responsible for manufacturing most chips in the market, including the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Nothing Phone (2).
Then the new chipset also has 18% more processing power and a 16% improvement in battery efficiency when compared to the Nothing Phone (1). With the inclusion of the RAM Booster and the Smart Clean technology, it will make the phone even more power efficient.
But of course, stay tuned for my in-depth gaming test to find out whether or not that’s true when I do my full in-depth review of this phone.
Speaking of power, the phone has the largest capacity in all of Nothing’s catalog where it comes with 5,000 mAh of battery, which Nothing claims that you can maintain over 90% of its maximum capacity after 3 years of daily charging. Very interesting.
And it also supports 45W fast charging and can charge up to 50% capacity in just 23 minutes. And of course, I’ll do a test further to find out how the battery life is and of course, the amount of screen-on time that I get when I use the phone daily.
Then as for the cameras, it has a 50MP main camera with OIS and EIS and a 50MP ultrawide lens.
And based on my quick test shots, the ultrawide and the main camera lenses did perform really well. The selfie shots were also looking great, especially on the portrait mode as well.
Then as for video, the rear camera shoots up to 4K 30 fps and the front camera records only up to 1080p 60 fps, which I honestly think by now in the year 2024, every smartphone, especially within this segment, should be recording in 4K front video recording.
But let me know what you think of this at our Discord server, we can discuss it over there, and if you think that the pictures taken on your phone look better, you can share your photos over there too. Discord Link: https://discord.gg/taRdMMwBYk
Then as for the phone software, as of the time of this review, the phone is running on Nothing OS version 2.5.2 and is one of the very few phones out right now that comes with Android 14 out of the box.
And then Nothing also provides 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates. So that is pretty neat to see that Nothing is keeping this phone’s longevity in mind.
And there’s also more Nothing Widgets, and my overall experience using the Nothing OS has been great previously and even now as expected.
And as for the Glyph Interface, since it’s only at the top part of the phone, it has 26 individually addressable zones, 10 new ringtones and notification sounds, and other basic glyph features that the previous phone had.
So the Nothing Phone (2a) will be available in a single configuration here in Malaysia with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, where it will be priced at RM1,699, which is about USD355.
First sales of the phone will begin on the 9th March for Malaysia and other select countries.
In Malaysia, Phone (2a) is available in both Milk and Black, with only 12GB/256GB. The selling price at RM1,699, available on Saturday, March 9 at all authorized stores.
- #THE100 Drops
Users will have the chance to be amongst the first in the world to purchase Phone (2a), as well as get some exclusive perks and offers available on a first come first served basis.
Details are below:
Address: CROSSOVER Sunway Pyramid: 3, Jalan PJS 11/15, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Start time: 11:00 AM
Date: Wednesday, March 6th.
- Pre-order
Customers will be able to pre-order Phone (2a) beginning on Wednesday, March 6 at Nothing retail partners.
And honestly, for the specs that you’re getting and the unique aesthetics of the phone, the price tag is a fair one indeed. But would you get it?
