Nothing Phone 2a review: I just found my favourite new budget smartphone

The new Nothing Phone 2a delivers innovative design and personality at a budget price - and I love it.

Nothing Phone 2a review; a smartphone on a wooden table
(Image: © Future / Nothing)

Our Verdict

A well-specced budget smartphone with a good camera, the Nothing Phone 2a evolves the brand's innovative design in a fun new direction. Hardware is backed by excellent Nothing apps and the latest features of Android 14.

For

  • Fantastic design innovations
  • Excellent 50MP camera and lens
  • Fun mix of Nothing's own apps

Against

  • Underpowered for complex apps

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Nothing Phone 2a could be my favourite entry in this brand's roster – the literal face of the next generation of product design. This reminds me phone design needn't be boring or safe; there's room for personality in products and Nothing Phone 2a manages to capture that special something to transcend being just another iteration on an idea.

To be clear, I own Nothing Phone 1, which I bought day one, and Nothing Phone 2, which I use every day, so I'm already onboard with this design-first, disruptive brand. Why do I love the Nothing Phone 2a? Because it's the perfect balance of affordable, good tech and quirky design.

The Verdict
9

out of 10

Nothing Phone (2a)

A well-specced budget smartphone with a good camera, the Nothing Phone 2a evolves the brand's innovative design in a fun new direction. Hardware is backed by excellent Nothing apps and the latest features of Android 14.

Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.

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