Nothing can’t be quiet about new releases. The London-based phone company’s media push is largely based on leaking information about the devices bit by bit. It’s been a solid strategy so far (albeit a little annoying as someone who covers this world), as so many of its announcements have been first-generation products, each creating a buzz beyond the company’s loyal fan base.
No phone (2a) definitely fits. While it’s actually the company’s third handset, it’s clearly aimed at a different demographic than the flagship Phone (1) and Phone (2). The “2a” bit, as you’ve probably gathered from previous handsets, indicates a budget focus. In recent years, this has mostly been a decision game of which flagship features can be sacrificed to lower the price while maintaining as premium a feel as possible.
After various teases and a few official image releases, the Phone (2a) finally saw the light of day (well, the warm glow of a Barcelona night) at MWC 2024. More specifically, it was a guest of honor at last night’s Nothing after-show party, that shines in all its glory at a low price inside a glass box. Otherwise, Nothing lay low at the big mobile trade show, barring a presence on the floor.
To quote Operation Ivy paraphrasing Plato’s account of Socrates, “all I know is that I know Nothing.” Details are scarce at this time. That said, the design tells us a lot about the product. For starters, Nothing has unsurprisingly retained some of the transparent aesthetic of the rest of the series. The light glyphs also return — although they cover a much smaller area than the other models, they’re relegated to a trio of bands at the top.
Phone (2a) retains the dual camera setup of phone (2), although it has been moved to the center. I’m curious to hear if this is mostly a pragmatic decision or an aesthetic one. With Nothing being so focused on design, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was moved just to set the device apart from its flagships. Whatever the case, this is a beautiful and (seems) solidly built budget phone. The rear might be a little busy for some, but – as always – I appreciate that it didn’t do anything to stray from the same design that most manufacturers have settled on.
We don’t know details about the camera setup beyond the number and orientation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a step down from the phone (2), as camera configurations certainly contribute to the build price. We do know, however, that the phone will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip – a variant built specifically for the device.
Price is still an open question — and an important one at that.
