Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review: It’s a smart and minimal handset with better cameras

As a seasoned gamer and tech enthusiast with years of smartphone usage under my belt, I must admit that the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has piqued my interest. Coming from someone who values performance and aesthetics equally, this new offering from Nothing seems to strike a perfect balance between the two.

Initially, I didn’t plan for this review to delve into a comparison between the Nothing Phone (2a) and the new Phone (2a) Plus, but it’s hard not to notice the striking similarities between them. In most cases, “Plus” signifies a larger screen size, as seen with the iPhone 15 Plus. However, in this instance, “Plus” refers to a slightly altered design and improved specifications in a few areas. The key point here is whether these additional features justify the extra cost.

Initially, it’s beneficial to understand the price gap. The Phone 2a Plus retails for £399, whereas the phone launched earlier this year is priced at £319, or £349 if you prefer the same RAM and storage as the 2a Plus.

The phone doesn’t serve as a replacement for the previous one, but instead introduces some new color options: a fresh grey and black with a metallic-like finish to the polycarbonate exterior. It maintains the same weight as the (2a) model. Both models share the same screen technology. Additionally, you can expect three years of Android updates and four years of security patches for this device as well.

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: What’s changed?

Besides some cosmetic modifications, there are internal enhancements as well. This new device boasts a more advanced processor and promises improved functionality for daily multitasking tasks. The manufacturer claims it’s 30% faster than the previous model (2a), making it capable of handling more complex graphics. Although most users might not fully stress-test this budget phone, such an upgrade would undoubtedly be great news for avid mobile gamers and busy professionals working on-the-go.

The device now offers 50W wired charging, an upgrade from 45W found in its predecessor (Phone 2a). However, the battery capacity remains at 5,000mAh. Given this minor increase, it might be hard to perceive a significant change. Regrettably, there’s still no wireless charging feature available.

As a fan, I’m thrilled about the enhancements made to the cameras on this model! Upgrading the front-facing camera from a 32MP sensor on the standard Phone (2a) to a 50MP one is just one of the exciting changes. Moreover, there’s a new portrait mode algorithm and the ability for all three sensors to produce 50MP photos, enhance HDR capture, and record 4K videos. For content creators on social media, this could be an incredibly potent combo!

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review: It's a smart and minimal handset with better cameras

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Design

Various versions of the Nothing Phone (2a) design exist currently, with the Community Edition and Special Edition yet to come. The (2a) Plus shares a strong resemblance with the original Phone (2a). It features the same “googly eyes” camera arrangement, screen, and adopts a simplified version of the Glyph interface.

I was quite fond of this particular design when I first used that handset, and my affinity for it hasn’t waned. It’s not unexpected to learn that I still find it appealing – it’s lightweight and comfortable to handle, the sparse glyphs now make sense beyond being a mere novelty, the camera placement is strategic, and the signature transparent style is visually striking.

As someone who has been using smartphones for over a decade, I can confidently say that the crisp 6.7-inch AMOLED panel of this Nothing phone is a game changer. The ability to push the refresh rate up to an impressive 120Hz creates a seamless and smooth interface experience, making it perfect for navigating through apps or playing games. Additionally, its brightness level has been more than sufficient in various lighting conditions I’ve encountered during my daily use.

The one slight aesthetic difference is its new “metallic” look. Whether you pick the silver or black finish, it has a bit more of a shine with this treatment, making it look and feel just a little more premium.

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review: It's a smart and minimal handset with better cameras

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Camera

As someone who witnessed the megapixel wars in the early 2000s, I’ve learned that more megapixels doesn’t necessarily equate to superior image quality. While additional resolution can be beneficial for smartphone cameras, it’s essential to consider how a phone leverages those megapixels rather than just their number. I’m wary of blindly praising the Phone (2a) Plus for its increased megapixel count alone, but I am curious about the advancements made in comparison to the Phone (2a)’s camera.

Remarkably affordable for its features, this phone is no less than impressive! It shares similarities with the Phone (2a), but offers more for your money. For instance, it boasts dual 50MP cameras at the back – a primary wide lens with stabilization and an ultra-wide lens. In contrast to the 32MP selfie camera on the (2a) model, this new version sports an upgraded 50MP front-facing camera, using a different sensor. All three cameras on the Phone (2a) Plus are capable of 4K video recording, HDR quality, and full 50MP image output from the entire sensor.

What matters here is the camera software and algorithm optimisations. The Phone (2a)’s processing was a little heavy-handed in my experience, resulting in very punchy shots that don’t always capture the reality of a scene. Nothing has continued to tweak this for the Phone (2a) Plus, and says this one now has an improved portrait mode too.

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review: It's a smart and minimal handset with better cameras

From my perspective as an enthusiast, I’ve noticed a subtle yet significant enhancement across various genres of photography and videography with this setup. In optimal lighting conditions, it delivers stunning clarity, detail, and vibrancy in color reproduction. The consistency in performance is truly remarkable, regardless of the lens you choose to use.

The blue tones can still seem over-exaggerated, although the aggressive portrait mode processing feels more controlled than it is in the Phone (2a). The overall image is still more vivid and contrast-filled than most other smartphone shooters, though.

In summary, if you are a budding content creator with a fondness for Nothing’s software, this device could be an excellent choice for you. However, its camera performance doesn’t quite rival the more lifelike results produced by Google Pixel phones. Nonetheless, these minor camera imperfections may not bother you at all, as they can sometimes be hard to detect without directly comparing photos. For your convenience, I have provided a collection of sample images for your review in the gallery below.

2024-08-15 17:49

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