Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Review: A Gem With a Glaring Flaw
The Nothing Phone (2a) was a decent offering in the budget smartphone market, but its successor, the Nothing (2a) Plus, aimed to take things to the next level. Released just four months after its predecessor, the (2a) Plus boasts intriguing updates like a faster MediaTek 7350 Pro processor, a more advanced front-facing camera, and a slightly higher price tag of $400.
This puts it in direct competition with other budget-friendly options like the Google Pixel 8a, which carries a $50 price premium. However, the (2a) Plus has a unique hurdle to overcome: its availability. You can’t simply buy it online; instead, you must join a US Beta program and patiently wait your turn. While this exclusivity may appeal to some, it’s a potential deterrent for others who are looking for an immediate purchase.
But despite this logistical barrier, the (2a) Plus has some compelling features that make it worth a look.
A Design That Stands Out:
The (2a) Plus has a bold and polarizing design. It boldly embraces a transparent enclosure that shows off its internal components, including visible screws, ribbon cables, and an NFC coil. This open display of the phone’s innards is a departure from the usual closed-off designs, making it both intriguing and somewhat reminiscent of older cellphone designs from the 2000s.
The rear camera module, featuring two horizontal lenses surrounded by three glyph lights, gives the phone a distinctive look. While some may find it quirky, it’s a welcome change from the monotonous uniformity of many modern smartphones. The phone feels sturdy and well-built, not at all like a budget device. Its weight of 190g is marginally heavier than the Pixel 8a (188g), but it’s still remarkably lightweight.
Glyph Lights: More Show Than Go:
The glyph lights, the most prominent design feature, are essentially LED strips embedded on the rear of the phone. They can be customized to provide visual cues for notifications, calls, music playback, and even app progress.
While aesthetically appealing, their functionality is limited. The Call Recognition feature allows you to assign different glyph patterns to specific contacts, but it’s not particularly novel. The Music Visualization feature syncs the lights to your music, but it’s more of a novelty than a practical tool. The Essential Notifications setting uses glyph patterns for notifications, which can be helpful, but doesn’t offer a groundbreaking solution.
In conclusion, the glyph interface is a cool add-on that adds a touch of quirkiness and distinction to the (2a) Plus, but its practical value is somewhat limited.
Navigation and Accessibility: A Major Hurdle
The (2a) Plus excels in its navigation system. It adopts an iOS-inspired approach, offering intuitive gestures for navigating to the homepage, going back a step, and accessing the multitasking overview. However, a major flaw undermines this otherwise smooth experience: the fingerprint reader.
It suffers from a baffling inconsistency, working flawlessly with my left thumb but completely refusing to recognize my right thumb. Despite repeated attempts to re-enroll my right thumb, the problem persisted. This creates a frustrating situation, forcing users to rely on the pin input, which is significantly slower and less convenient than a reliable fingerprint scan. This unreliable fingerprint scanner is a major oversight and a considerable drawback to an otherwise solid phone.
Performance and Battery: A Winning Combination
The (2a) Plus packs a punch in terms of performance and battery life. Its MediaTek 7350 Pro processor, coupled with 12GB of RAM (expandable to 20GB), easily handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and even demanding games. The phone never stuttered or lagged during testing, delivering a smooth user experience.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display offers vibrant colors, crisp detail, and a comfortable viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate, which can be dynamically adjusted, ensures smooth scrolling and animations.
The 5000mAh battery is a powerhouse, easily lasting for over 10 hours on a single charge with moderate usage. The impressive battery life makes the (2a) Plus a great choice for users who are constantly on the go.
Camera Capabilities: Solid Performance
The (2a) Plus boasts dual 50MP cameras, capable of capturing impressive images, particularly in low light. Images taken during a night stroll displayed a remarkable level of clarity, with minimal noise even after significant zooming. The night mode effectively suppresses noise, enhancing the overall quality of nighttime photos.
However, there’s a curious limitation: you can’t zoom in while shooting at the full 50MP resolution. To zoom, you need to switch to the 12MP option, which limits the image quality. This feels like an odd technical constraint, particularly given the phone’s marketing of its 50MP cameras.
Final Verdict: A Phone With Great Potential Held Back
The Nothing (2a) Plus offers an impressive array of features at a competitive price point. The sturdy build, bright display, powerful processor, long-lasting battery, and capable cameras make it a compelling choice. However, the unreliable fingerprint reader is a dealbreaker for many users. It’s a significant technical flaw that disrupts the user experience and undermines the overall value proposition.
It’s disappointing to see a phone with so much potential hampered by a single issue. If you’re willing to work around the fingerprint reader or simply rely on alternative unlocking methods, the (2a) Plus is a solid option. But for those seeking a truly seamless and dependable experience, the faulty fingerprint scanner is a difficult obstacle to overcome.
In conclusion, the Nothing (2a) Plus is a phone with a bright future, but its current iteration remains flawed due to its frustrating fingerprint reader conundrum. It’s a phone that could have been a great value, but until this issue is addressed, it falls short of achieving its full potential.
