The long-awaited Nothing Phone 2a is now officially launched, following its exclusive preview at the company’s MWC event. This new phone by Nothing targets the mid-tier/budget market segment with an affordable starting price of $349.
Preorders are now open, but there’s a catch for U.S. customers. The phone is currently only accessible for developers interested in integrating third-party apps with the device’s illuminated “Glyphs” on the back.
Nothing announced, “The Glyph Developer Kit for Nothing devices is now available. This offers developers the opportunity to create their own applications for the Glyph Interface. Development can begin, and registration for an API key opens on March 5, 2024.”
While the handset is exclusively available for developers in the U.S., it can be purchased through traditional channels in the U.K. and India. In the U.K., the phone comes in 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB models priced at £319 and £319, respectively. In India, these models retail for ₹23,999 and ₹27,099. Additionally, the Indian market will offer a third variant, 12GB/256GB, for ₹25,999.
Image Credits: Nothing
Instead of Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs used in premium models, the Nothing Phone 2a features a custom MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip with optimizations like Smart Clean and Adaptive NTFS, offering improved performance and reduced power consumption.
Although the phone’s performance may not match the flagship standards of the Nothing Phone 2, it does carry over the 50-megapixel dual rear-facing cameras but positions them at the center back. The transparent design with light-up Glyphs remains a signature feature, with three Glyphs now present solely at the top.
Image Credits: Nothing
With a larger 5,000 mAh battery than its predecessors, the Nothing Phone 2a maintains a 6.7-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, making it a compelling choice within its price range compared to higher-priced flagship options.
In conclusion, the Nothing Phone 2a offers a mix of performance and features at an appealing price point. While some flagship phones exceed $1,000, the $639 Nothing Phone 2 can be considered a mid-tier alternative.
