Nothing Phone (2a) Specification and Price in Kenya
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | Announced: March 5, 2024 |
| Released: March 12, 2024 | |
| Body | Dimensions: 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) |
| Weight: 190 g (6.70 oz) | |
| Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | |
| SIM: Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | |
| Resistance: IP54 – splash, water, and dust resistant | |
| LEDs: 3 LED light strips on the back (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones) | |
| Display | Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Size: 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm² (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | |
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| Features: Always-On Display | |
| Platform | OS: Android 14 (upgradable to Android 15), Nothing OS 3.0 (3 major Android upgrades) |
| Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | |
| GPU: Mali-G610 MC4 | |
| Memory | Card Slot: No |
| Internal Storage: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | |
| Main Camera | Dual: 50MP, f/1.9 (wide), 24mm, PDAF, OIS |
| 50MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), 114°, 1/2.76″, 0.64µm | |
| Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR | |
| Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 32MP, f/2.2 (wide), 1/2.74″, 0.8µm |
| Features: HDR | |
| Video: 1080p@60fps | |
| Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm Jack: No | |
| Communications | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | |
| NFC: Yes, 360° | |
| Radio: No | |
| USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | |
| Features | Sensors: Fingerprint (under-display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Additional: Circle to Search | |
| Battery | Type: 5000mAh |
| Charging: 45W wired (50% in 23 min, 100% in 1 hour) | |
| Miscellaneous | Colors: Black, White, Milk, Blue |
| Model: A142 | |
| Price in Kenya: Ksh 50,000 | |
| Performance Tests | AnTuTu: 578,493 (v9), 684,574 (v10) |
| GeekBench: 2184 (v5), 2592 (v6) | |
| 3DMark: 1151 (Wild Life Extreme) | |
| Display Test | Max Brightness: 981 nits (measured) |
| Audio Test | Loudness: -26.3 LUFS (Good) |
| Battery Test | Active Use Score: 15h 53m |
Nothing Phone (2a) Review: A Unique Mid-Range Contender
The Nothing Phone (2a) is an exciting addition to the mid-range smartphone market, offering a distinct design, strong performance, and a solid feature set at an affordable price. With its 6.7-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset, 5000mAh battery, and dual-camera setup, the Nothing Phone (2a) stands out as a competitive option. In this review, we will explore its design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, and overall value for money to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Design and Build Quality
Nothing has established itself as a brand that emphasizes aesthetic appeal and uniqueness, and the Phone (2a) continues that tradition. The device sports a glass front (protected by Gorilla Glass 5), a plastic frame, and a plastic back, making it lightweight at 190g.
A key design highlight is the transparent back panel with the signature LED light strips, which serve as a notification indicator, camera fill light, and customizable lighting zones. These LEDs make the Phone (2a) instantly recognizable, setting it apart from other mid-range smartphones. The IP54 rating offers splash, dust, and water resistance, which is a welcome feature at this price point.
Display: A Smooth and Vivid Experience
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display on the Nothing Phone (2a) is one of its strongest features. With support for 1 billion colors, HDR10+, and a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers sharp, vibrant visuals with smooth scrolling and fluid animations.
- Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels (~394 ppi density)
- Brightness: 981 nits max brightness (measured)
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Always-On Display: Yes
The high screen-to-body ratio (87.6%) ensures a more immersive viewing experience. Whether you’re streaming content, gaming, or browsing, the colors and contrast levels remain impressive. The inclusion of HDR10+ support makes it even better for watching high-definition content.
Performance and Software
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm) chipset, the Nothing Phone (2a) delivers reliable performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and even gaming. The octa-core CPU (2×2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) and Mali-G610 MC4 GPU ensure smooth performance across various applications.
Benchmark Scores:
- AnTuTu: 684,574 (v10)
- GeekBench: 2592 (v6)
- 3DMark (Wild Life Extreme): 1151
The phone runs on Android 14 with Nothing OS 3.0, which offers a clean, bloat-free software experience with a few custom UI enhancements. Nothing has promised three major Android upgrades, meaning the device is future-proof for at least a few years.
Cameras: A Solid Dual Setup
The Nothing Phone (2a) features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of:
- 50MP primary sensor (f/1.9, 24mm wide, PDAF, OIS)
- 50MP ultrawide sensor (f/2.2, 114° field of view)
For selfies, it has a 32MP front camera (f/2.2, wide-angle) that supports HDR and 1080p@60fps video recording.
Camera Features:
- LED Flash, Panorama, HDR
- 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps video recording (gyro-EIS for stabilization)
Camera Performance: The primary 50MP sensor captures sharp images with accurate colors and good dynamic range in daylight. The OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) helps in reducing blur, especially in low-light conditions. The ultrawide lens is useful for capturing landscapes and group photos, although the image quality drops slightly in dim lighting.
The selfie camera performs well under most conditions, offering clear and detailed shots with natural skin tones. The video stabilization is quite effective, making it a good choice for vloggers and content creators.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the highlights of the Nothing Phone (2a) is its 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life.
- Charging speed: 45W wired charging
- Charging time: 50% in 23 minutes, 100% in 1 hour
Battery Life Test:
- Active Use Score: 15 hours 53 minutes
The phone can easily last a full day of heavy use or even two days on moderate use. The 45W fast charging ensures quick top-ups, making battery life a non-issue for most users.
Connectivity and Additional Features
- 5G connectivity ensures fast and reliable mobile data speeds.
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 provide stable wireless connectivity.
- Stereo speakers offer loud and immersive sound quality.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack, meaning users will need wireless earbuds or a USB-C adapter.
- Fingerprint sensor (under-display, optical) for fast and secure unlocking.
- NFC support for contactless payments.
Pricing and Value for Money
The Nothing Phone (2a) is priced at Ksh 50,000 in Kenya, making it a strong competitor in the mid-range segment.
For the price, you get:
- A premium AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- A powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset
- A solid dual-camera setup with OIS and 4K video recording
- A massive 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging
- A unique transparent design with LED lighting
- Three years of Android updates
Compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A54, OnePlus Nord CE 3, and Pixel 6a, the Nothing Phone (2a) stands out in design and display quality, while offering competitive performance and battery life.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Nothing Phone (2a)?
✅ Buy it if:
- You want a unique design with LED lights on the back.
- You prefer a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display.
- You need strong performance for daily tasks and gaming.
- You want long battery life with fast charging.
- You appreciate clean, near-stock Android software.
❌ Skip it if:
- You require a telephoto lens or better low-light photography.
- You need a headphone jack.
- You prefer a metal/glass premium build instead of plastic.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
The Nothing Phone (2a) is an excellent choice for users who want a stylish, powerful, and feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price. While it has a few trade-offs, it offers great value for money and stands out in the crowded mid-range segment.
See Also Nothing CMF Phone 1
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