Usually cheap mobile phone It doesn't perform that well. They have poor cameras, look boring and plasticky, and miss out on some of the luxuries found in flagship models. Well, Nothing's latest smartphone, the Phone (2a), does not adhere to any of these trademark defects.
I've been using this $349 Android smartphone for the past two weeks, and even used it as my primary phone in Barcelona, where I was covering the Mobile World Congress 2024 trade show. This type of practice is demanding, so your device needs to be reliable and agile as you type notes, respond to important notifications, and take photos while asking questions. It also needs to last long enough that you're not looking for an outlet instead of doing your job. Nothing Phone (2a) did all that without sacrificing charm or style.
There are comparable phones outside the US for those looking for speed at an affordable price, but take a look at the Poco X6 Pro. But within the United States, options are limited. Nothing's Phone (2a) is an unusual blend. It's cheap, fairly fast, has a slick software interface, and comes with fairly long software support. In short, its compromises are easily overshadowed by its advantages.
nothing to worry about
First, it's worth noting that Nothing is still a small smartphone maker, so this launch won't be all that easy. The Phone (2a) is available in several countries, but only through the developer program in the United States. However, you don't have to be a developer to purchase. Just sign up and once approved, you'll receive a link to purchase your device. Only the 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage model is available in the US for $349. Elsewhere, there's a base 8GB RAM and 128GB version, with prices starting at £319 or €329.
You may run into some issues when using your device on Verizon. T-Mobile subscribers will get the best experience as the phone (2A) supports the carrier's 5G band. I was using it with AT&T and initially he had problems connecting to the 5G network and was relegated to 4G LTE, but recently that changed. I've been using his 5G ever since and have no problems with calls or texts.
Much about this phone reminds me of the original Google Pixel 3A from 2019, which neatly packed the phone's essential parts into a $400 package. But apart from this, there's nothing more impressive in terms of hardware specs. A worthwhile phone.
Let's start with the 6.7-inch AMOLED display. The screen refresh rate is 120Hz and the peak brightness is 1,300 nits. The 2K resolution is crisp and responsive, and I didn't have much trouble reading the screen in the Barcelona sun.