Regardless of the difficult journey of breaking into the tech market, Nothing, based by former OnePlus government 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 Telephone (1) and its successor, the Telephone (2), which provided modest upgrades.
With the Telephone (2a), Nothing ventures into new territory by presenting a extra reasonably priced various that also guarantees enhancements over the Telephone (1) regardless of a lower cost tag. The Telephone (2a) goals to strike a stability between affordability and efficiency.
However how does it stack up in opposition to its higher-priced counterpart? Right here’s whether or not the Telephone (2) is value the additional money in comparison with the Telephone (2a) – right here’s how the 2 handsets stack up in opposition to one another.
Variations between the Nothing Telephone (2) and the Nothing Telephone (2a)
Design
The Telephone (2) has a glass again, offering a glimpse of its internals alongside LED mild 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 modern aluminium body and flat sides being paying homage to premium gadgets, its dimensions (159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3mm) and weight (201g) might 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 proof against water and dirt.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
The Telephone (2a) includes a very comparable design with a semi-transparent plastic again, sustaining the aesthetic of the Telephone (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) doable.
The scaled-back ‘Glyph Interface’ of LED lights (solely three across the cameras) are extra refined in comparison with the Telephone (2), however they’ve the identical potential to be distraction. The cameras listed below are centrally situated and resemble eyes, so gained’t be to everybody’s tastes.
The plastic again feels much less premium and is extra vulnerable to fingerprints, however its unibody design delivers improved sturdiness in comparison with the Telephone (2) – at the least in keeping with Nothing. As you may think, we didn’t deliberately drop or scratch both telephone throughout testing.
Whereas nonetheless a good distance behind flagships, the Telephone (2a)’s IP54 water resistance (safety in opposition to splashes of water and a few mud) is identical because the Telephone (2).
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
In the end, the selection between the Telephone (2) and the Telephone (2a) will rely upon particular person preferences relating to 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 & Audio system
Each the Nothing Telephone (2) and Telephone (2a) function a 2.4K, 6.7-inch AMOLED show. Nonetheless, the Telephone (2) affords a refresh charge of as much as 120Hz with LTPO expertise, which means it might probably robotically drop as little as 1Hz to optimise battery life.
The Telephone (2a) nonetheless gives a 120Hz refresh charge, however there’s no LTPO. The bottom it might probably go is 30Hz, which remains to be higher than many telephones, although handbook choices are solely out there for 60- or 120Hz.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Regardless of excessive most claims, each the Telephone (2) and Telephone (2a) wrestle with outside visibility, particularly in vibrant, sunny environments.
Whereas each telephones supply near-identical, spectacular shows, the Telephone (2) comes out on prime because of its LTPO display screen.
Each telephones additionally embrace 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 Telephone (2) options the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, providing stable efficiency for numerous duties – together with gaming.
It affords configurations with 8- or 12GB of RAM and 128-, 256- or 512GB of inside storage. The in-screen fingerprint scanner and face unlock supply handy biometric unlocking choices, although the previous is positioned comparatively low on the display screen.
In distinction, the Telephone (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 inside storage, on a regular basis efficiency and multitasking are each robust.
Nonetheless, in contrast to the Telephone (2), there are some occasional dropped frames throughout gaming.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Connectivity options in each telephones embrace 5G assist, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for cell funds, so there’s nothing to decide on right here.
You is likely to be extra conversant in Qualcomm chips such because the one used within the Telephone (2), however the Telephone (2a)’s MediaTek chipset remains to be very succesful for every part besides essentially the most demanding duties corresponding to gaming.
Nonetheless, in our Geekbench 5 multi-core check, the Telephone (2) achieved a rating of 4055, whereas the Telephone (2a) scored 2602 factors. So, in the case of pure CPU efficiency, the Telephone (2) is the extra highly effective machine of the 2.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Cameras
The Nothing Telephone (2) includes a 50Mp essential digicam, 50Mp ultrawide and 32Mp front-facing. Nonetheless, it disappoints with its essential sensor, missing consistency in delivering excellent-quality photographs.
The principle 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 mild.
The Telephone (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 customary with first rate stabilisation, together with optical picture stabilisation on the principle lens.
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
Henry Burrell / Foundry
The Telephone (2a) shares the identical digicam setup because the Telephone (2), so you may count on a really comparable pictures expertise.
Regardless of some publicity points, notably in vibrant daylight, the Telephone (2a) performs constantly properly 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 refined background blur.
The pictures taken with the Telephone (2) had been taken whereas the telephone was operating on Nothing OS 2.0, whereas the Telephone (2a) was operating on model 2.5. The higher total high quality of the pictures taken with Telephone (2a) could also be resulting from 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 Telephone (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 supply first rate footage with stabilisation on the principle rear lens.
In abstract, whereas each telephones supply first rate digicam capabilities, they every have their strengths and weaknesses, with the Telephone (2) falling in need of expectations and the Telephone (2a) delivering a extra constant efficiency regardless of some shortcomings.
When evaluating the pictures taken on the time of testing each telephones, the Telephone (2a) is the clear winner.
Battery & Charging
The Telephone (2) includes a 4700mAh battery, plus the additional advantage of that energy-efficient LTPO show. In consequence, you may count on to have cost to spare on the finish of the day, even after 15 hours of intermittent utilization.
The Telephone (2a) boasts a bigger 5000mAh battery, and it might 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 assist quick charging as much as 45W. Utilizing chargers at dwelling, the Telephone (2a) was barely faster, taking 55 minutes for a full cost versus 45 minutes for the Telephone (2).
Nonetheless, the Telephone (2) is the one one which helps wi-fi charging (as much as 15W), and it might 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 Telephone (2a) affords a barely bigger battery and a barely sooner charging velocity.
Software program & Updates
On the time of writing, the Telephone (2) and Telephone (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 affords a monochrome theme and icon pack, together with 22 customized widgets which function 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 intensive 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 Telephone (2a) incorporates noticeably fewer LEDs than the Telephone (2). It’s functionally the identical, although shall 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, guaranteeing assist till 2027 for the Telephone (2a) and till 2026 for the Telephone (2).
There’s nearly nothing to decide on in the case of software program, although the additional LEDs on the Telephone (2) allow extra customisation choices.
Worth & availability
The Nothing Telephone (2) affords 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 affords good worth for the storage capability.
It’s out there by means of the official Nothing retailer and choose retail companions, corresponding to Very, Currys, and John Lewis within the UK. Within the US, you too can get it from Nothing or Amazon.
The Nothing Telephone (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 out there for buy instantly from Nothing retailer within the UK and thru retailers like Very and John Lewis. Not like the Telephone (2), nevertheless, the Telephone (2a) just isn’t out there within the US.
Verdict
Each the Telephone (2) and the Telephone (2a) supply good worth for his or her respective worth level, however there are just a few key strengths and weaknesses to pay attention to.
For most individuals, the Telephone (2a) is the one you should purchase, providing a fantastic all-round expertise for a a lot lower cost. As you may see, it comes out on prime in lots of areas.
Nonetheless, the Telephone (2) is healthier by way of 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 might just like the daring change in digicam placement on the Telephone (2a).
In consequence, the Telephone (2) remains to be a more sensible choice for most individuals – supplied you may get it on sale. But when your price range can’t stretch that far and also you’re pleased with the compromises the Telephone (2a), you gained’t be disillusioned for those who get this telephone.
And for those who dwell within the US, the Telephone (2) is your solely choice anyway.
Specs
Nothing Telephone (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 essential 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 Telephone (2a):
- MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Professional chipset
- 8/12GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED show
- Cameras:
- 50Mp, f/1.88 OIS essential 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