Nothing Phone (2a) review

13 March 2024


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  • S
  • Stu80
  • pYd
  • 08 Feb 2025

Hi
I currently have a Realme X50 pro, had it for 4 years and still works great but looking for a change and struggling to decide.

Really tempted with the Nothing phone 2(a), but I've previously had a Xiaomi and also tempted with a Poco. From what I can see the Poco F6 seems to be good but battery is poor, and the X7 pro is better for battery but camera is not that impressive. Would it be fair to say the Nothing 2(a) is better overall or would a Poco be better?

Thanks for looking

    • v
    • vita
    • Prg
    • 31 Jan 2025

    That hideous horizontally centered camera placement alone is the reason I would not give this device a second though, it took forever for Samsung to move out of that, and now we're back. :( I know I'm being shallow but it truly looks tacky. The light show around it doesn't help. It would be fine if it were massive, as in the Xiaomi something-something Ultra with a single sensor (i.e. not a collection of them), but that's not the case.

    Ironically, I couldn't give less of a fxxk about cameras. I'd rather not have them, but if I'm going to be bothered with them, they should at least look good. Right? IDK. I'm weird. I'm sorry.

      • u
      • ulv
      • pRa
      • 27 Oct 2024

      GSM, you have very fluctuating battery scores. Here 2a scores 46 hours for calling, but I also saw 56 hrs when I added it to compare on the page of other phones. I think threfore, that no score is to be trusted anymore.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • nwn
        • 16 Oct 2024

        Does this phone have a long exposure mode, not being in the pro section? Like the Huawei, Xiaomi e new One plus phones?

          • N
          • Neptun
          • rJU
          • 10 Sep 2024

          CamoGeko-XDA, 17 Aug 2024I have a choice to get this phone at 300 and I'm tempt... moreWhat did you decide?

            I have a choice to get this phone at 300 and I'm tempted. Or I might wait for the 2a Plus. Hmm decisions...

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • vxL
              • 09 Aug 2024

              Faisal Saeed, 04 Jun 2024Hey guys, i have some questions in mind. 1) Nothing 2A ... moreDay to day use, the Nothing Phone 2(a) runs WAY smoother than the A55

                • s
                • synz
                • 3Kq
                • 16 Jul 2024

                Uh actually, the Nothing Phone 2a is capable of shoothing in RAW format while using the ultrawide... it's just a bit hidden.

                  • S
                  • Shaami
                  • bxd
                  • 12 Jul 2024

                  anonpoaster, 04 Jul 2024Why is it that I can't get the nice looking exterior a... moreYou've literally described the definition of a "mid-range" phone and you still don't get it lol.

                    Why is it that I can't get the nice looking exterior and clean software of NP 2a with the interior of, let's say, Oneplus 12, or even Poco F6? Price isn't the issue here. The combination doesn't even exist! Either I'll have to get crap software with flagship hardware OR I'll have to settle with great software with average hardware. Camera sucks on all of them anyways.
                    It's frustrating.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • pKL
                      • 22 Jun 2024

                      Spencershuk, 17 May 2024I currently own the 2a, and as a previous owner of various ... moreI think if the 2a used a Sony sensor rather than a Samsung sensor like pixels then they would be alot closer. It's the only weak point for me. Even Samsung in the A55 used Sony.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • pKL
                        • 22 Jun 2024

                        Faisal Saeed, 04 Jun 2024Hey guys, i have some questions in mind. 1) Nothing 2A ... moreIt's a tough choice if they are the same price. The only thing I would say is Samsung has decent reliability and I'm not saying Nothing doesn't but they are still a newish company and they are only a couple of years old. The Samsung will be supported for alot longer.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 0kZ
                          • 13 Jun 2024

                          Faisal Saeed, 04 Jun 2024Hey guys, i have some questions in mind. 1) Nothing 2A ... more1. Your choice. Samsung have better premium aluminium with glass design, but i prefer Nothings new design, even it is plastic, it is more durable.
                          2. Nothing will go huge on AI with next iteration, as their CEO said few days ago. They already have integration with ChatGPT, Google it. Exynos on A55 dont have so strong NPU so dont expect anything big.
                          3. I prefer 2a because all bezels are uniform, same dimension.

                          At the end, both phones are very good at the price range.

                            • A
                            • AtivaVKL
                            • 8t5
                            • 10 Jun 2024

                            Faisal Saeed, 04 Jun 2024Hey guys, i have some questions in mind. 1) Nothing 2A ... moreThe top four mid-range in my list: Poco F6, Nothing 2a, Vivo V30 and Samsung A55. I decided on Nothing 2a. Among the most important factor is that there's at least "something new" compared to the rest. UK company and not the usual China, Korea, Taiwan or Japan.

                              • F
                              • Faisal Saeed
                              • apJ
                              • 04 Jun 2024

                              Hey guys, i have some questions in mind.

                              1) Nothing 2A can be a great choice but if i am getting Samsung A55 in the same price, which one should i prefer?

                              2) Even though Samsung's UI is much polished thn Nothing's UI, still Samsung has more features that supports AI, which Nothing is missing.

                              3) Is the foam factor from Nothing is enough to purchase that phone for years to come. Please explain in detail?

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                                • Ab
                                • xjH
                                • 24 May 2024

                                Nothing special

                                  Anonymousboi, 03 Apr 2024Not even iphone 15 base models offer those, and you expect ... moreOn Android yes. Apple does that on purpose to upsell it as a feature.
                                  USB3 should be bare minimum for any phone today and 3.1 for higher end ones.

                                  What should matter more is still security updates as an outdated phone is not good considering what people do on them (banking, payments etc)

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • HXW
                                    • 24 May 2024

                                    Anonymousboi, 03 Apr 2024Not even iphone 15 base models offer those, and you expect ... moreTo be fair, the Edge 30 Neo was a $300 phone and had USB 3.1

                                      • L
                                      • Longjohnstinkyfinger
                                      • n5V
                                      • 20 May 2024

                                      Spencershuk , 17 May 2024Buy the 2a, you will not be disappointed how can anyone ser... moreAgreed.
                                      Just bough a pixel 8a.. Amazing bit of kit

                                        • S
                                        • Spencershuk
                                        • dSV
                                        • 17 May 2024

                                        PureOS, 14 Mar 2024Xiaomi 14 even have DC dimming mode which completely remove... moreBuy the 2a, you will not be disappointed how can anyone seriously live with Xiaomi's mountainous bloatware!! As a previous Pixel owner, Google and Nothing are the only 2 serious mid range phones worth considering, both on performance and support. The decision is simple if a serious camera user, pay more and buy the pixel, if not save money and just be satisfied with a reasonable camera and great user experience.

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