Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger with Solid Features

Comparos Rating :8/10

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represents an intriguing addition to the mid-range smartphone market. Building on the design philosophy of its predecessor, the Nothing Phone (2a), this model continues to emphasize aesthetics with its distinctive Glyph Interface and transparent back panel. The Glyph Interface, characterized by white LEDs around the dual rear camera setup, serves as a unique notification system, lighting up for calls, notifications, visual countdowns, and progress indicators. While it doesn't boast the dynamic features of the flagship Nothing Phone 2, it remains an eye-catching aspect that sets the phone apart from competitors.

Priced at around Rs 27,999, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus ventures into a competitive market segment. It introduces several notable upgrades, including the new MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro SoC, an enhanced 50MP front camera, and 50W fast charging. These improvements are aimed at providing a more robust user experience, though the phone does retain some of the limitations observed in the original Phone (2a).

Design and Build Quality

Nothing has maintained the aesthetic appeal of the Phone (2a) in the Plus variant, featuring flat edges and a transparent plastic back. This design choice not only showcases the internal components but also highlights the Glyph Interface. The new grey color variant adds a fresh touch, making the device look sophisticated and modern. Decorative elements like the shiny NFC coil around the camera module and additional coils along the bottom half of the back panel contribute to the overall visual appeal.

However, the build quality raises some concerns. The device is rated IP54, meaning it's only splash-resistant and not suitable for substantial water exposure. This is a step down compared to more rugged phones in the same price range. Moreover, the plastic back, while visually appealing, may not withstand scratches and wear as well as glass or metal alternatives. Users are advised to use a case for added protection, especially considering the phone's relatively fragile nature.

The device also features an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is quick and efficient, unlocking the phone in a fraction of a second. The phone’s I/O options include a USB Type-C port and stereo speakers. While the speakers are sufficiently loud, the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack might be a downside for some users who prefer wired audio solutions.

Display

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, a peak brightness of 1,300 nits, and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The display quality is generally good, offering dynamic colors and deep blacks, which are characteristic of AMOLED technology. However, the peak brightness is lower than that of some competitors, such as the OnePlus Nord 4 and POCO F6, which can reach up to 2,400 nits. This limitation affects the phone's legibility under direct sunlight, making it harder to use outdoors.

The display also supports HDR video and allows users to tweak the color profile for a more personalized viewing experience. However, it lacks support for the DCI-P3 color gamut, which could be a drawback for users looking for the widest color range. Despite these limitations, the display remains one of the better aspects of the phone, providing a satisfying visual experience for most everyday tasks.

Cameras

One of the standout features of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is its upgraded camera setup. The front camera has been bumped up to 50MP from the previous 32MP, offering better selfie quality. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor with a 114-degree field of view. All cameras support Ultra HDR, co-developed with Google, and can record 4K video at 30fps. There are also additional modes like Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Portrait, Night mode, and 4K recording at 50fps.

In well-lit conditions, the cameras perform admirably, capturing sharp and vibrant images. The primary sensor provides good detail and color accuracy, although it sometimes struggles with dynamic range, particularly in high-contrast scenes. The ultra-wide camera offers a similar color profile, but with less detail due to its larger field of view. Portrait mode is decent but not perfect; it occasionally blurs the subject along with the background, an issue that could be resolved with future software updates.

In low-light conditions, the camera's performance drops, but the Night mode helps to some extent by reducing noise and enhancing brightness. However, the images can sometimes appear overexposed, losing detail in the process. Compared to its competitors, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus falls short in terms of camera performance, particularly against the OnePlus Nord 4, which excels in color accuracy and shadow detail.

Performance and Software

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro SoC, a slight upgrade over the Dimensity 7200 Ultra found in the Phone (2a). It offers a smooth and responsive experience, handling everyday tasks like navigation, browsing, and streaming without any issues. The phone scored 7,71,491 on AnTuTu and 1,121/2,203 on Geekbench's single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. While these are respectable numbers, they don't lead the segment, with the POCO F6 offering better benchmark scores.

Gaming performance is decent, with the phone maintaining an average frame rate of 37.72 in HDR graphics settings. Thermal management is also satisfactory, with only moderate heat buildup during extended gaming sessions.

The phone runs on Android 14-based Nothing OS 2.6, offering a clean and minimalistic user interface. The software experience is one of the highlights of the device, with minimal bloatware and an optional monochromatic theme. The phone promises three years of major OS updates and four years of security updates, ensuring longevity. Additionally, features like an AI Wallpaper Generator, Glyph Composer, and a ChatGPT-integrated News Reporter add value to the user experience.

Battery and Charging

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which offers good endurance. In the PCMark battery test, it lasted 14 hours and 34 minutes, indicating a full day's use on a single charge. The phone consumed only 4% battery during a 30-minute YouTube video streaming test, and about 19% after 30 minutes of gaming, suggesting it's capable of handling moderate to heavy usage without needing frequent recharges.

One of the key upgrades is the 50W fast charging support. The phone charges from 20% to 100% in about 51 minutes, which is impressive but still slower than some competitors. Notably, the box does not include a charger, which means users will need to purchase one separately, potentially adding to the overall cost.

Comparos Says

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a compelling package for those who prioritize design and software experience. Its unique Glyph Interface, clean Android experience, and decent performance make it an attractive choice in the sub-Rs 30,000 segment. However, it faces stiff competition from rivals like the OnePlus Nord 4 and POCO F6, which offer better camera performance, higher display brightness, and more robust build quality.

For users who appreciate a minimalist design, a unique notification system, and a clean software experience with minimal bloatware, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a good option. However, for those who prioritize camera quality, outdoor visibility, and included accessories like a charger, other options in the same price range might offer better value.