Regardless of the difficult journey of breaking into the tech market, Nothing, based by former OnePlus govt Carl Pei in 2020, has sparked appreciable curiosity.
Regardless of releasing a number of fashions of earbuds, it’s the telephones that have gotten a lot of the consideration, notably the unique Cellphone (1) and its successor, the Cellphone (2), which supplied modest upgrades.
With the Cellphone (2a), Nothing ventures into new territory by presenting a extra inexpensive different that also guarantees enhancements over the Cellphone (1) regardless of a cheaper price tag. The Cellphone (2a) goals to strike a steadiness between affordability and efficiency.
However how does it stack up towards its higher-priced counterpart? Right here’s whether or not the Cellphone (2) is value the additional money in comparison with the Cellphone (2a) – right here’s how the 2 handsets stack up towards one another.
Variations between the Nothing Cellphone (2) and the Nothing Cellphone (2a)
Design
The Cellphone (2) has a glass again, offering a glimpse of its internals alongside LED gentle strips that contibute to its eye-catching design. There are additionally two rear digicam lenses that sit on the upper-left nook of the telephone.
Regardless of its smooth aluminium body and flat sides being paying homage to premium units, its dimensions (159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3mm) and weight (201g) could make it unwieldy for some individuals.
Moreover, its vibration motor and resultant haptics suggestions is sub-par in comparison with many high-end telephone, whereas an IP54 ranking makes it much less immune to water and mud.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
The Cellphone (2a) encompasses a very related design with a semi-transparent plastic again, sustaining the aesthetic of the Cellphone (2) whereas choosing a lighter 190g construct. Its curved edges make it extra comfy to carry and make one-handed use (a rarity amongst fashionable smartphones) attainable.
The scaled-back ‘Glyph Interface’ of LED lights (solely three across the cameras) are extra delicate in comparison with the Cellphone (2), however they’ve the identical potential to be distraction. The cameras listed here are centrally positioned and resemble eyes, so gained’t be to everybody’s tastes.
The plastic again feels much less premium and is extra liable to fingerprints, however its unibody design delivers improved sturdiness in comparison with the Cellphone (2) – at the least in response to Nothing. As you may think, we didn’t deliberately drop or scratch both telephone throughout testing.
Whereas nonetheless a good distance behind flagships, the Cellphone (2a)’s IP54 water resistance (safety towards splashes of water and a few mud) is similar because the Cellphone (2).
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
In the end, the selection between the Cellphone (2) and the Cellphone (2a) will depend upon particular person preferences concerning design, consolation and sturdiness, plus whether or not you need the additional LED lights on the again.
The lights on each telephones can be utilized for quite a lot of duties, together with displaying incoming calls and notifications, flashing alongside to music and checking progress of timers.
Display screen & Audio system
Each the Nothing Cellphone (2) and Cellphone (2a) characteristic a 2.4K, 6.7-inch AMOLED show. Nonetheless, the Cellphone (2) gives a refresh charge of as much as 120Hz with LTPO expertise, which means it will probably mechanically drop as little as 1Hz to optimise battery life.
The Cellphone (2a) nonetheless supplies a 120Hz refresh charge, however there’s no LTPO. The bottom it will probably go is 30Hz, which remains to be higher than many telephones, although guide choices are solely accessible for 60- or 120Hz.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Regardless of excessive most claims, each the Cellphone (2) and Cellphone (2a) battle with outside visibility, particularly in shiny, sunny environments.
Whereas each telephones provide near-identical, spectacular shows, the Cellphone (2) comes out on high due to its LTPO display screen.
Each telephones additionally embody twin stereo audio system, which ship punchy sound however lack in bass. They’re appropriate for informal use, however not film watching or severe music listening.
Specs & Efficiency
The Cellphone (2) options the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, providing strong efficiency for numerous duties – together with gaming.
It gives configurations with 8- or 12GB of RAM and 128-, 256- or 512GB of inner storage. The in-screen fingerprint scanner and face unlock provide handy biometric unlocking choices, although the previous is positioned comparatively low on the display screen.
In distinction, the Cellphone (2a) adopts the Dimensity 7200 Professional chipset, a customized model of the 7200 that Nothing has developed in collaboration with MediaTek. Alongside 8- or 16GB of RAM and 128- or 256GB of inner storage, on a regular basis efficiency and multitasking are each sturdy.
Nonetheless, not like the Cellphone (2), there are some occasional dropped frames throughout gaming.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Connectivity options in each telephones embody 5G help, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for cellular funds, so there’s nothing to decide on right here.
You could be extra acquainted with Qualcomm chips such because the one used within the Cellphone (2), however the Cellphone (2a)’s MediaTek chipset remains to be very succesful for every part besides essentially the most demanding duties resembling gaming.
Nonetheless, in our Geekbench 5 multi-core take a look at, the Cellphone (2) achieved a rating of 4055, whereas the Cellphone (2a) scored 2602 factors. So, with regards to pure CPU efficiency, the Cellphone (2) is the extra highly effective gadget of the 2.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Cameras
The Nothing Cellphone (2) encompasses a 50Mp primary digicam, 50Mp ultrawide and 32Mp front-facing. Nonetheless, it disappoints with its primary sensor, missing consistency in delivering excellent-quality photographs.
The primary rear sensor is able to spectacular photographs in good lighting circumstances, but aggressive picture processing usually leads to over-sharpened pictures or inaccurate colors in low gentle.
The Cellphone (2) additionally struggles with shutter lag and an absence of irresponsiveness, though its selfie digicam stands out for producing crisp and detailed photographs.
Whereas video recording as much as 4K at 30fps is commonplace with respectable stabilisation, together with optical picture stabilisation on the primary lens.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
The Cellphone (2a) shares the identical digicam setup because the Cellphone (2), so you may count on a really related images expertise.
Regardless of some publicity points, notably in shiny daylight, the Cellphone (2a) performs constantly nicely in low-light environments. The long-exposure evening mode successfully brightens darker photographs with minimal noise, and the portrait mode produces well-exposed topics with delicate background blur.
The pictures taken with the Cellphone (2) had been taken whereas the telephone was working on Nothing OS 2.0, whereas the Cellphone (2a) was working on model 2.5. The higher total high quality of the pictures taken with Cellphone (2a) could also be attributable to higher photograph processing ensuing from the software program replace.
Nonetheless, the absence of optical zoom on each telephones results in grainy and detail-lacking photographs past 2x.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The Cellphone (2a)’s selfie digicam impresses with vibrant photographs and an efficient portrait mode, albeit with vital cropping. Video recording capabilities as much as 4K at 30fps provide respectable footage with stabilisation on the primary rear lens.
In abstract, whereas each telephones provide respectable digicam capabilities, they every have their strengths and weaknesses, with the Cellphone (2) falling in need of expectations and the Cellphone (2a) delivering a extra constant efficiency regardless of some shortcomings.
When evaluating the pictures taken on the time of testing each telephones, the Cellphone (2a) is the clear winner.
Battery & Charging
The Cellphone (2) encompasses a 4700mAh battery, plus the additional advantage of that energy-efficient LTPO show. Consequently, you may count on to have cost to spare on the finish of the day, even after 15 hours of intermittent utilization.
The Cellphone (2a) boasts a bigger 5000mAh battery, and it will probably additionally comfortably final a full day for many customers. Actual-world testing demonstrated spectacular endurance, with 9 hours of utilization draining solely 80% of the battery.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Whereas each telephones lack a charging brick, they help quick charging as much as 45W. Utilizing chargers at residence, the Cellphone (2a) was barely faster, taking 55 minutes for a full cost versus 45 minutes for the Cellphone (2).
Nonetheless, the Cellphone (2) is the one one which helps wi-fi charging (as much as 15W), and it will probably even be used for reverse wi-fi charging with any Qi-compatible equipment.
Nonetheless, if you are able to do with out wi-fi charging, the Cellphone (2a) gives a barely bigger battery and a barely sooner charging velocity.
Software program & Updates
On the time of writing, the Cellphone (2) and Cellphone (2a) each run Android 14 with the Nothing OS 2.5 pores and skin excessive.
It’s very totally different to the model on Google Pixel telephones, providing a variety of distinctive software program experiences design to scale back distractions and promote intentional telephone utilization.
The software program gives a monochrome theme and icon pack, together with 22 customized widgets which characteristic a retro aesthetic. Bloatware is minimal, comprising solely key apps such Nothing X, Recorder and Climate.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Each telephones focus closely on the ‘Glyph Interface,’ enabling in depth customisation of LED lights on the again with brightness management, customized ringtones and synchronised music playback patterns. Though restricted to sure apps on the time of writing, Nothing has a Glyph Developer Equipment designed to get extra builders on board.
Nonetheless, the Cellphone (2a) accommodates noticeably fewer LEDs than the Cellphone (2). It’s functionally the identical, although will probably be much less distracting for some individuals.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Nothing ensures three years of OS updates and 4 years of safety updates for each telephones, making certain help till 2027 for the Cellphone (2a) and till 2026 for the Cellphone (2).
There’s nearly nothing to decide on with regards to software program, although the additional LEDs on the Cellphone (2) allow extra customisation choices.
Worth & availability
The Nothing Cellphone (2) gives three configurations: 8GB RAM/128GB storage beginning at $599/£579/€649, 12GB RAM/256GB storage for $699/£629/€699, and 12GB RAM/512GB storage for $799/£699/€799, which gives good worth for the storage capability.
It’s accessible by way of the official Nothing retailer and choose retail companions, resembling Very, Currys, and John Lewis within the UK. Within the US, you too can get it from Nothing or Amazon.
The Nothing Cellphone (2a) is much more competitively priced, beginning at £319/€329 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage mannequin and £349/€379 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant.
It’s accessible for buy instantly from Nothing retailer within the UK and thru retailers like Very and John Lewis. Not like the Cellphone (2), nevertheless, the Cellphone (2a) is just not accessible within the US.
Verdict
Each the Cellphone (2) and the Cellphone (2a) provide good worth for his or her respective worth level, however there are a couple of key strengths and weaknesses to concentrate on.
For most individuals, the Cellphone (2a) is the one you can purchase, providing an awesome all-round expertise for a a lot cheaper price. As you may see, it comes out on high in lots of areas.
Nonetheless, the Cellphone (2) is healthier when it comes to efficiency, whereas the variations in battery life and digicam skills are minor and should have been addressed in a software program replace. It additionally will get a brighter show with superior LTPO expertise.
There’s additionally the query of design, as not everybody could just like the daring change in digicam placement on the Cellphone (2a).
Consequently, the Cellphone (2) remains to be a better option for most individuals – supplied you will get it on sale. But when your finances can’t stretch that far and also you’re proud of the compromises the Cellphone (2a), you gained’t be disillusioned in the event you get this telephone.
And in the event you reside within the US, the Cellphone (2) is your solely possibility anyway.
Specs
Nothing Cellphone (2):
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
- 8/12GB RAM
- 128/256/512GB storage
- 6.7-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED show
- Cameras:
- 50Mp, f/1.8 OIS primary digicam
- 50Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam
- 32Mp, f/2.45 selfie digicam
- 4700mAh battery
- 45W wired charging
- 15W wi-fi charging
- 5W reverse wi-fi charging
- 5G
- Twin stereo audio system
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- Glyph Interface LED lights
- IP54
- Gorilla Glass
- Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.5
- 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3mm
- 201g
Nothing Cellphone (2a):
- MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional chipset
- 8/12GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED show
- Cameras:
- 50Mp, f/1.88 OIS primary digicam
- 50Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide digicam
- 32Mp, f/2.2 selfie digicam
- 5000mAh battery
- 45W wired charging
- 5G
- Twin stereo audio system
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- Glyph Interface LED lights
- IP54
- Gorilla Glass
- Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.5
- 161.74 x 76.32 x 8.55mm
- 190g