Last Updated: March 11, 2024, 11:00 IST
Nothing has entered the competitive mid-range segment with Phone2a
Nothing Phone 2a is the latest mid-range phone in the market giving buyers a new and refreshing option but does it have enough mettle to rival the best?
Nothing Phone 2a is the latest addition to the company’s budding smartphone lineup in the market but this time it feels different. The Phone 2a positions itself as a solid mid-range option for buyers but Nothing should and must realise the task to compete in a sub Rs 25,000 bracket is different and the demands are even higher than those spending Rs 35,000 or even Rs 50,000.
The Phone 2a has a lot going for it, more importantly, its focus on the software gives a refreshing touch. Over here, we talk about the key elements that can give the Phone 2a a solid shout out and appeal to the buyers in the country.
Nothing Design, Now More Affordable
Nothing Phone 2a brings the transparent design twist to a new category. You don’t get the Glyph lights in a big way but it’s there. The camera layout now looks like two eyes staring at you, while the lower part shows you the screws and other parts of the panel.
The glass body has been switched with a polycarbonate plastic frame and panel which doesn’t look cheap but picks up scratches easily. Considering the use of the Glyph light makes you place the phone on the backside means the marks are easily visible. Having said that, these cost cuts are more than acceptable when you consider the overall quality doesn’t take a big hit and that’s what matters.
Nothing OS Is Smooth
Nothing Phones have shown their worth thanks to the crispness of the OS and the Phone 2a now sees its benefits as well. This UI and the software as a whole reminds us of the OxygenOS from its early years. We have seen the software grow in stature with the Phone 1, then Phone 2 and now the 2a will get all the flagship UI features for much less money. Nothing has clearly found the right tuning between its OS and the hardware, which means you get a smooth experience.
If that wasn’t enough, the Phone 2a doesn’t have bloatware, except for the regular Google apps. And yes, no ads either. For a long time, people in this segment have talked about these, and now Phone 2a gives them reprieve from all of it. The phone is promised to get 3 OS updates as well as 4 years of security updates which means you’re good for a few years.
Switching The Display
Nothing has decided to move from OLED to an AMOLED LTPO panel on the Phone 2a. You get a 6.78-inch display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits which means the outdoor visibility is decent.
The colours are crisp and vibrant but the most important advantage of this switch comes in the form of less strain on the hardware which delivers a longer battery life. The bezels on the screen are symmetrical, adding to the overall aesthetics of the front of the device.
Pro Hardware Does The Talking
Nothing claims it has worked with MediaTek for the Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset with up to 12GB RAM. The hardware isn’t cut out for raw performance, but it can handle games without heating up.
For the regular stuff, Nothing’s tuning of the OS means the specs of the hardware doesn’t share the limelight. So, yes, the Phone 2a benefits from these changes and we believe future updates should make it better. The 5,000mAh battery can easily last you for well over a day with normal usage which is good for most people.
What About The Cameras?
How does the 50MP dual-rear camera setup perform? We noticed the pictures captured in bright conditions were crisp with details. Even the macro shots came out well. However, we did feel slightly underwhelmed with the low-light quality but Nothing can surely fix it with a few tweaks, something we noticed with the Phone 2 earlier.
Nothing is entering a new segment with the Phone 2a but all the ingredients suggest its focus on the mid-range buyers might be fruitful and give people something different to consider without spending big.
