The last time I got my hands on a true mid-range smartphone for review was nearly two years ago, with the Google Pixel 6A. So, when Nothing, the London-based Design Tech clothing and phone company, announced a more budget-friendly version of its latest flashy phone, I decided to take it for a spin between New York and San Francisco to see what $349 could buy in 2024. And let me tell you, it’s quite the deal.
I have to admit, I was a tad disappointed when Depth of Design Nothing sent me the black version to review this time around. The milk white trim just pops so much more. But upon closer inspection, especially when catching the light just right, the depth of the phone’s design becomes apparent through its trademark transparent back plate, which made its sibling smartphones stand out so well. It’s actually quite intriguing; Nothing claims this design was the very first one circulated internally shortly after the company’s launch in 2020.
At the top, you’ll find dual cameras nestled within the NFC coil. And if you see a set of eyes when you look at them, that’s no coincidence. The design is meant to evoke exactly that. It’s not exactly my favorite aesthetic, but it undeniably offers a unique symmetry, not to mention stability when you place it on a surface. Further down, there’s a stylized series of flexible connectors that takes inspiration from the classic New York subway map. Plus, a splash of color is added with a red accent tab housing mid chips.
The sides are coated with a finger-friendly friction texture, which unfortunately only serves to emphasize how cheap the glossy plastic back cover feels by comparison. It’s prone to smudging and loves to attract dust. Another reason to opt for the white colorway, I suppose. But enough preamble—let’s get to the main event, or as they say, let there be (3) lights.
LEDs, much like those found on all Nothing phones, the most striking design element is undoubtedly the glyph system. While the LED count has been reduced from 11 to 3, the functionality remains consistent with the more expensive Nothing Phone 2. Engaging the flip-to-glyph feature automatically silences the phone when it’s placed face down, while the LEDs provide notification alerts. Despite being dismissed by some as mere gimmicks, the glyphs offer surprising utility. For instance, during video recording, the entire LED array can serve as a fill light, and when using the timer for photography, the glyphs display the remaining time before the shot is taken. For critical notifications, users can prioritize specific apps, causing a light strip to remain illuminated until the message is acknowledged.
Other features may seem less practical; the glyphs can synchronize with music or other audio, and users can create custom ringtones and glyph patterns using Nothing’s composer app. The glyph timer allows for setting countdowns of any duration, and they can display the remaining time for ongoing calendar events. Are these features productivity powerhouses? No. Will they revolutionize the smartphone industry? Probably not. However, if you’re a fan of this channel, you likely share my view. Utility isn’t everything; sometimes, gimmicks have their place, and enjoyment is a valid reason to choose an Android… or any phone, for that matter. Design matters, too. One of the highlights of last year’s Nothing Phone 2 was the seamless integration of hardware aesthetics with software.
2A brings a sleek and minimalist vibe to the mid-range market with Nothing OS 2.5. I’ve been pondering why I’m so drawn to this software design, and I reckon it’s because it reminds me of my days as a Windows phone user. Since then, I haven’t come across a home screen that’s both packed with info and easy on the eyes.
Do I really need a compass taking up space on my home screen? Nah, not really. And is a tiny, black-and-white thumbnail the best way to view my recent photos? Probably not. But you know what? They add a bit of fun and flair among genuinely useful features like OneTouch triggers for the voice recorder or that cool glyph timer.
Nothing has really honed the system and UI to perfection. It’s as intuitive to use as any Android 14 device, but it’s got its own vibe. It doesn’t feel like just another Android phone; it feels like something special. And despite its $3.49 price tag in the States, it doesn’t scream mid-range.
But let’s talk about where it does feel mid-range. The 5G band support in the US is a bit lacking, and while I didn’t have issues with T-Mobile, my Google 5 SIM wasn’t recognized at all. That might just be a one-off glitch, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. Plus, there’s no wireless charging, which is a bummer. And even though it’s supposed to support 45-watt quick charging, you need a specific brick compatible with Power Delivery 3.0 to actually get those speeds. I mean, I thought everything was supposed to be compatible by now, but apparently not.
But hey, the battery is a beast at 5,000 milliamp hours. So even on days when I’m using maps, filming, and hotspotting like crazy—basically, a day where I need that glyph timer more than once—I still have juice left by dinnertime. As for sacrifices, there aren’t many, even when it comes to the cameras. For a closer look at some San Francisco samples, including a few Pebble picks, keep reading.
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Now, let’s talk about the cameras.
When it comes to video, I never thought I’d rely on a mid-range smartphone as my main camera for a shoot. But that’s exactly what happened when I took the Nothing Phone 2A out for a spin in Sunnyvale, California, to test-drive the Pebble Flow. You might remember this smart RV from my CES coverage—it’s designed to attach to your vehicle, unfold when you arrive, and give you all the comforts of home. Full disclosure: Pebble covered my travel and accommodations for this event, and you can find more insights on my Instagram. The thing is, I used the 2A to capture most of my day with Pebble, as well as the surrounding days in San Francisco. Did I do side-by-side comparisons with other phones to nitpick every detail? No, because if camera quality was my top priority, I’d be looking at a higher-end device—I’d still recommend a Pixel 7A anyway. But more importantly, I rarely felt the need to switch to another phone. From sunny sidewalks to neon-lit nights, bustling city streets to quiet valley roads, whether sipping Irish coffees or capturing candid moments—even if it’s just my brother walking by—I hardly found fault with these cameras. The only times I wished for more were when I tried to zoom in (limited by the lack of proper telephoto hardware) or when capturing fast motion (restricted to 30 FPS in 4K). But the food footage? It more than made up for any shortcomings.
No major complaints here.
Hey folks, you know me—I steer clear of sugar-coated reviews, so when I say the Nothing Phone impressed me, you know I mean it. At $349, you’re getting a sleek smartphone with symmetrical bezels, which is pretty rare in this price range. Plus, the processor and RAM combo keeps things running smoothly, except for a minor lag when snapping multiple photos quickly. But really, what’s there to complain about? Maybe the IP54 dust and water resistance could be better, or the promise of three years of Android updates instead of seven, but honestly, it’s good enough.
My biggest frustration is that the Nothing Phone 2A isn’t widely available in the US market. If you’re shopping at a carrier store in this price range, you’re likely to miss out on this gem and settle for something less exciting like a Moto G or Samsung A series. But if you’re on a budget and want a phone with personality and performance, give the Google Pixel a look. Just make sure it supports your local network bands.
Overall, I have no hesitation recommending the Nothing Phone 2A. This review is based on my hands-on experience with a review sample provided by Nothing, and I want to make it clear that manufacturers don’t get any say in my reviews. This review is brought to you by Surfshark. Don’t forget to subscribe for more videos like this, and stay tuned for some exciting content beyond smartphones in the coming weeks. Until next time, this is Michael Fisher, aka Captain Tones on Threads, signing off. Thanks for watching, and stay connected, my friends.