Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: More Than Just Hype?

The tech world loves a good disruptor. Nothing, with its transparent design philosophy and anti-establishment marketing, has certainly carved a niche. The Phone (2a) made waves as a budget-friendly alternative. But can a “Plus” model truly elevate the experience, or is it just another incremental upgrade? We dive deep to find out.

The Phone (2a) Plus largely retains the distinctive aesthetic we’ve come to expect. The transparent back panel, cleverly exposing the internals, remains a conversation starter. However, the “Plus” iteration brings refinements – a more robust build, perhaps a touch more premium feel, and subtly tweaked Glyph interface. The increased size does make it noticeably larger than the original. It fits well in hand, but those with smaller hands might find it less comfortable for one-handed use.

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset delivers solid performance. It handles everyday tasks with ease, and even resource-intensive games run smoothly at medium settings. Don’t expect flagship-level graphics fidelity, but it’s more than adequate for casual gaming. Multitasking is responsive thanks to ample RAM (8GB or 12GB, depending on configuration). The software experience is clean and bloatware-free, adhering to Nothing OS’s minimalist principles.

The camera setup is a tale of two sensors. The dual 50MP lenses (main and ultrawide) perform admirably in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed images with accurate colors. Low-light performance, however, is more of a mixed bag. The software processing attempts to compensate, but the results can be inconsistent, exhibiting noticeable noise and lack of sharpness. While not a camera-centric phone, it is still a capable shooter for social media sharing and everyday snapshots.

Battery life is a strong point. The large battery easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. Charging speeds are decent, getting you from empty to full in a little over an hour with the included charger. However, wireless charging is notably absent.

The value proposition is where the Phone (2a) Plus gets interesting. It’s priced competitively, offering a compelling package of design, performance, and features for the mid-range market. However, the increased size might not appeal to everyone, and the lack of some premium features like wireless charging could be a dealbreaker for some. Ultimately, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines for those who value design and a unique software experience above all else, are conscious of the budget and require a large screen.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon