Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Nearly nailed it

September 14, 2024

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Smartphonehttps://amzn.to/3TRyuXt

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is actually not a leap or a bound better than its previous namesake release — ‘Plus’ actually means a meaningful but still measured bump up in the processor and camera. But it’s another example of how well the brand is establishing itself as a great alternative in multiple tech categories. So what’s the problem with the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus? Barely anything, except the question of whether or not you can actually get one and use one…

Here are my thoughts on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus!

Today, we’re featuring Milky Oolong, courtesy of Paru from La Jolla, California. Corn milk and soybean are added during the roasting stage of this oolong tea, resulting in a naturally creamy and sweet texture and flavor. Steep one teaspoon for 3 to 5 minutes in hot water, though I suggest going for the full 5 minutes. I’m trying out a new format for this video, sharing my experience in the time it takes to make a proper cup of tea. Feel free to follow along, and when we’re done, you can enjoy your mindful cup while going about your day. Also, let me know in the comments what you’re sipping on, and don’t forget to like this video and subscribe for more updates. Let’s get started—this is Josh of Vagar.

Now, onto my thoughts on the Nothing Phone 2A Plus. It’s hard to discuss anything from Nothing without mentioning design. After all, they’re known for shaking up the traditional smartphone design expectations. These phones manage to come off as cool no matter how you look at them. In terms of shape and feel, the Nothing Phone 2A Plus is a regular bar phone with comfortable ergonomics for one-handed use. However, the transparent backing is what makes all the difference, giving it a unique look and feel. The “plus” in this model refers to the more metallic color added to the elements underneath the transparent backing. I have the gray edition, and it’s metallic all over, which may make minimalism harder to attribute to this phone. Nothing devices often tout a minimalist tech lifestyle while creating products that stand out visually.

The Nothing Phone 2A Plus continues the trend of featuring the glyph interface—signature lights on the back of the phone. Even though this is an A series device, the glyph array isn’t as robust as on the higher-end models. However, the glyphs still serve a purpose. For example, “Flip to Glyph” automatically silences the phone and makes the lights the main way to receive notifications. It’s reminiscent of the simple LED lights on older Android phones or even BlackBerry devices. My favorite use of the glyph lights is the timer. It’s a visual treat, adding flair to everyday tasks like steeping tea for five minutes, or as I recently discovered, acting as a flashlight during a concert.

We’re already familiar with much of what this phone offers, thanks to its predecessor, the Nothing Phone 2A, but with some slight adjustments in design and specs. The phone still features the same 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it great for media consumption and gaming. The main upgrade is in the processor, which now uses the MediaTek Dimensity 7350. While it handles everyday tasks and browsing with ease, heavy workloads may cause some sputtering. For example, long gaming sessions or using YouTube in picture-in-picture mode while navigating Google Maps can slow things down. Despite this, for most people, the phone’s performance will be more than adequate. Its 5,000 mAh battery ensures it lasts through a full day of typical use.

One area where the Nothing Phone 2A Plus excels is in its minimalist OS. The design philosophy starts to shine here, with dot matrix elements and dark backgrounds that are both visually striking and calm compared to the overstimulation of most app icons and home screens. If you use the official icon pack from Nothing, it furthers the monochrome, minimalist aesthetic, which might encourage a more mindful use of the phone. Nothing has also entered the AI space with a news reporter widget, designed to provide AI-generated summaries of top news stories in various curated categories. While it’s an interesting showcase of AI, it feels too simple and lacks the customization needed to make it truly useful.

The Nothing Phone 2A Plus delivers a solid experience for everyday users at a reasonable price, though compromises exist. The mid-range processor can only do so much, and the camera, while decent, offers hit-or-miss performance. The selfie camera has been upgraded with 4K video recording, and while the photos and videos are often just “good enough,” the phone occasionally produces shots that impress. However, a significant challenge for this phone in the U.S. market is accessibility. While the $399 price is appealing, the phone is only available through Nothing’s beta program, and even then, it might not work perfectly on U.S. networks.

So, the phone is attractive, functional, and well-priced, but make sure it works for you before jumping in. With that said, I’ve probably gone a bit over my five-minute mark, but the tea is ready. Let me know your thoughts on the Nothing Phone 2A Plus, especially if you’ve managed to get your hands on one. Thanks for hanging out with me today. Take care of yourselves and each other, and enjoy your tea!

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