spotty cellular connectivity with major US networks).
It’s in the color department where Nothing has set the 2a and 2a Plus apart visually.
Scuffs and scrapes are repelled surprisingly well; I just wish it didn’t hold onto smudges so readily.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The display is protected by both a factory-fitted screen protector and Gorilla Glass 5 (i.e.
One of the most interesting additions in Nothing OS 2.6 is a new news widget.
There are, however, some obvious drawbacks.
For one, you have no idea about the provenance of the stories being read out.
If Nothing has the resources, being able to up those numbers would keep it competitive.
its camera software) tripping up from time to time.
Otherwise, results are good.
Vivid Mode lends itself well to further improving low-light shots, too.
Should you buy the Nothing Phone 2a Plus?
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
If that’s the case, what about one of these alternatives?
Motorola Edge 50 NeoA clean and elegant rival mid-ranger that also comes in eye-catching finishes.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed September 2024
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The Phone 2a (left), Phone 2a Plus (center) and Phone 2 (right)
Nothing OS' stylized weather app
The new News widget, introduced in Nothing OS 2.6
The 2a Plus' Glyph Interface lit up in darkness
The Glyph Interfaces on the Nothing Phone 2a (left), Phone 2a Plus (center) and Phone 2 (right)
Low light(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
0.6x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
1x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
2x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
10x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
0.6x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
1x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
2x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
10x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
0.6x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
1x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
2x(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Portrait mode(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Front camera(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
HDR(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Low light(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Night mode(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Main(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Ultra-wide(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Within Vivid Mode, the ‘result’ section grants real-time AI-generated insight into how the camera is processing whatever’s in frame.
