The Nothing 2a Plus, the latest offering from the innovative tech company Nothing has blend quite a buzz in the smartphone market. Following the success of the Nothing 2a, the Plus variant promises several upgrades. However, the critical question remains: do these upgrades justify the price hike? Lets go into the details and see if the Nothing 2a Plus lives up to the hype.
Design and Build
At first glance, the Nothing 2a Plus retains a familiar design language with a twist. While the previous model sported a plastic back available in various colors, the Plus model introduces a subtle metallic element inside the phone. This metallic finish adds a slight sheen and a premium feel, though it remains under the surface and not directly touchable. The external body still largely consists of plastic, with the metal restricted to the buttons, a change that might go unnoticed by many users. The overall design, including the distinct alien-like camera sensors, remains unchanged, maintaining the device unique aesthetic.
Display and Performance
The display specifications also see minimal changes, sticking with a 1080p, 120Hz AMOLED screen, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The experience is smooth and vibrant, consistent with what users have come to expect from Nothing devices. However, the most significant upgrade lies in the device internals, with the new MediaTek 7350 processor replacing the previous models chipset. Despite being a brand-new processor, the performance improvements are subtle, offering a 10-15% boost over the previous version. For regular users, this translates to a similarly smooth experience, with no noticeable lag or frame drops in everyday applications or gaming, even under intensive settings.
Camera Upgrades
The camera department has seen a slight upgrade, with a new 50MP front camera compared to the 32MP in the original Nothing 2a. While there is a slight improvement in detail and color accuracy, the changes are go and might not be noticeable to the average user. The rear camera setup remains largely unchanged, with two 50MP sensors. Although there are minor tweaks in color balance and contrast, they are not game-changing. The addition of 4K video recording at 30fps for the front camera is a welcome feature, providing higher-quality video capture capabilities.
Software and Features
The software experience on the Nothing 2a Plus is nearly identical to its predecessor, running a clean, bloatware-free version of Android. The company promises three years of major updates and four years of security patches, ensuring long-term support. A new game mode has been added, providing enhanced performance and reduced distractions during gaming sessions.
Price and Value Proposition
The most significant change with the Nothing 2a Plus, however, is its price. Priced around ₹28,000, this new model enters a different segment of the market, where it faces stiff competition from other brands offering more substantial hardware and camera capabilities. The ₹4,000 price increase from the Nothing 2a ₹24,000 feels steep, especially when the core upgrades are not dramatically different from the original model.
Specifications
Network and Connectivity
Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
2G Bands: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G Bands: HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G Bands: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G Bands: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed: HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G
Launch
Announced: July 31, 2024
Status: Coming soon, available from August 3, 2024
Body
Dimensions: 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
Weight: 190 g (6.70 oz)
Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Features: IP54 rating for splash, water, and dust resistance; 26 LED lights on the back for notifications and camera fill light
Display
Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+
Size: 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm² (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Additional Features: Always On Display
Platform
OS: Android 14, Nothing OS 2.6, with up to 3 major Android upgrades
Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
CPU: Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU: Mali-G610 MC4 1.3GHz
Memory
Card Slot: No
Internal: 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual Camera Setup:
50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR
Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera
Single Camera: 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Features: HDR
Video: 4K@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm Jack: No
Communications
WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE
Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
NFC: Yes, 360˚
Radio: No
USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Features
Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery : 5000 mAh, non-removable
Charging: 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min (advertised)
Miscellaneous
Colors: Black, Grey
The Nothing 2a Plus offers a solid package with its high-quality AMOLED display, robust chipset, and comprehensive camera setup. However, with a significant price increase compared to its Nothing 2a, potential buyers will check the value of these upgrades carefully. The addition of 5G capabilities, IP54 resistance, and a distinctive design with LED notification lights continues to set this device apart in the competitive smartphone market.
Conclusion
In summary, the Nothing 2a Plus brings incremental upgrades rather than revolutionary changes. While the metallic internal components and new processor are not worthy, they do not drastically alter the user experience. The slight improvements in camera performance and the addition of game mode are nice touches but might not justify the increased price for many users. The Nothing 2a Plus might appeal to fans of the brand or those looking for a unique design, but for others, the value proposition might not be compelling enough, especially considering the competition in this price range.
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