As a Nothing insider, I had the opportunity to test a prototype of the Nothing Phone (2a). During this process, I received numerous over-the-air (OTA) updates, around 15 OTA updates to be more specific.

Nothing’s insider program stands out compared to others I’ve participated in. The Nothing team, just like their products, are equally transparent throughout the insider process.

Before diving into my experience with the device, I’d like to equally be transparent here. It’s important to clarify that Nothing hasn’t received a preview of my overall thoughts. Nothing provided zero input regarding my review of the Nothing Phone (2a) prototype. As an insider, I do get to share concerns or report bugs to Nothing directly during the insider period of testing, but beyond that, Nothing hasn’t had any direct input regarding my Phone (2a) and my personal thoughts of the device.

DESIGN

When the prototype of the Phone (2a) first arrived, I quickly unboxed it, and its design immediately resonated with Nothing’s distinct brand identity. Despite Nothing having only released a few products thus far, their brand identity is strong, and this is evident in the overall design of the (2a).

From an initial design perspective, the build feels lightweight yet durable. Since it’s a prototype, I did not have direct access to the new glyph interface so I’m unable to speak to glyphs specifically on the (2a).

DISPLAY

The display bears resemblance to other Nothing products, and when combined with the minimalist design language of the Nothing OS and their impressive wallpapers, it offers a solid experience for everyday use. Even in direct sunlight, I found the display to be sufficiently bright and usable.

CONNECTIVITY

I tested the (2a) in the United States utilizing AT&T and T-Mobile networks, along with Google Fi (a T-Mobile MVNO). Throughout my testing, connectivity remained consistently smooth with no service interruptions. Calls were clear, and data performance was great. WiFi connections were quick and reliable across different locations, with dependable speeds. Bluetooth connectivity remained consistently reliable when connecting to headphones or my Tesla Model 3. I’ve primarily used my (2a) as the key for my Model 3, and so far, I haven’t experienced any bluetooth connectivity issues.

BATTERY

While wireless charging is unfortunately absent, the (2a) charges quickly when needed, and throughout all the OTA updates, battery performance has remained consistently impressive. Easily a 1.5 - 2 day device during moderate to heavy usage.

PERFORMANCE

Regarding software performance, the (2a) feels just as smooth as the Nothing Phone 2 I’ve been using alongside it. There hasn’t been a moment where I perceived any lag, and multitasking under various workloads has been seamless.

SOFTWARE

The testing period highlighted Nothing’s commitment to software excellence, with a continuous stream of OTA updates that brought meaningful improvements, particularly in camera performance.

Speaking of which, here are a few sample photos I captured using the (2a).

CAMERA SAMPLES

Video Samples

Retail Version Unboxing Experience in the US (Milk)

Retail Version Review

CONCLUSION

Overall, this experience showcases Nothing’s software team as not only responsive but proactive in many instances, with a laser focus on delivering the best software experience possible to users. The (2a) is a worthy evolution of Phone (1) that many upgrading from Phone (1) will be happy with, as well as new consumers looking to try Nothing for the first time.

When you pair excellent hardware with equally impressive software, it truly makes a difference. Nothing has refined its approach based on the lessons learned from both Phone 1 and 2, resulting in a harmonious device that delivers on both fronts. While I’ve had the prototype for some time now, I look forward to getting my hands on the official (2a) soon, though it is limited to the Nothing Developer Program here in the US and not available for standard purchase.

I want to say thank you to Nothing, for this great opportunity. Thank YOU to everyone taking the time to read this. I absolutely love being a part of this community and being an insider! Appreciate all of you!

Review Summary
Design/Build 8/10
Display 9/10
Battery 10/10
Performance 9/10
Cameras 7/10

AVERAGE SCORE 8.6 out of 10

Pros
Bright Responsive Display
Smooth Software Experience
Consistent Meaningful Updates
All Day Battery Performance

Cons
No Wireless Charging
North American Availability Limited to Nothing Dev Program