Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: More of the same – with a plus, but not just in price

It seemed that Nothing, the young British smartphone maker, had learned the rules of the game: a flashy launch, teaser leaks on social media, and an aggressive marketing campaign running around the clock. However, this time, instead of all the fanfare, the company decided to surprise us with a quiet, almost secretive launch of an upgraded version of the Nothing Phone (2a), which was dubbed the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. But don't let the "Plus" fool you—the screen remains the same size, and the design hasn't changed, except for a few subtle metallic touches. The iconic Glyph, the LED light interface on the back of the device, keeps its form, as does the camera setup, with only minor changes.

So, what is different? Well, Nothing, likely responding to feedback, decided to upgrade the processor. The Phone (2a) Plus comes with a dedicated chip—the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro—stronger than its predecessor in both processing and graphical performance. This upgrade comes with a slight price increase—1,749 shekels in Israel, with official import via Bug Network. So, is it worth paying more for the extra power? We tested it and came back with answers.

Familiar Design, Familiar Feel

As we already hinted, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus stays true to the original design of the Phone (2a) almost entirely. This means that once again, we get the signature transparent back, which allows a glimpse into the inner workings of the device. On the front, there's a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with high quality, boasting a resolution of 1084x2412 and a 120Hz refresh rate—just like the previous model.

Once again, Nothing chose to use plastic for the frame of the device in order to keep the price attractive. While the plastic contributes to a lightweight (190 grams) and comfortable grip, compared to an aluminum frame, it can sometimes give off a “cheaper” feel. However, that’s not the case here, and the overall feel in hand is solid. The device feels stable and high-quality, with no sense of being “too cheap.”

For those still unfamiliar with Nothing’s unique gimmick, here’s a quick recap: On the back of the device, surrounding the camera setup, are LED lights that make up the Glyph interface. The Glyph, which might be considered a marketing gimmick or a cosmetic addition, is actually the feature that most distinguishes Nothing devices. It acts as a smart notification light, and within the Glyph interface, you can choose different lighting combinations for calls and messages from a range of options (including personalized sound settings). Here, too, it’s identical to the Nothing Phone (2a).

Performance

As mentioned, the main reason for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’ existence is the hardware upgrade, or in other words: the new processor. The chip in question is the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro, developed in collaboration between Nothing and MediaTek (often referred to as the “Chinese Qualcomm”), making it exclusive to the Phone (2a) Plus. According to the company, the new chip offers a 30% improvement in graphics performance and a 10% boost in processing performance. But do these promises hold up in real life?

In our performance tests, we noticed a slight improvement, but nothing dramatic. The Phone (2a) Plus scored 1205 in Geekbench 6, compared to 1099 in the previous model. So, what does this mean in practice? In everyday use, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus generally performed well—apps opened quickly, and switching between menus felt smooth. However, with more demanding games, the device started to show signs of strain and heated up.

To sum up, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers good performance relative to its category, but it’s not a huge leap over the previous model. It’s perfectly suited for the average user who wants a fast and reliable device for daily use, with a focus on better graphical performance. Still, serious gamers are likely to prefer a device with a more powerful processor.

Interface

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs on the Nothing OS 2.6, based on Android 14. What sets this interface apart is its minimalist approach. It’s free of unnecessary apps and offers simple icons and bars based on geometric shapes. If you’re not into Nothing’s unique style, you can also opt for a clean, standard Android design. Either way, the interface is smooth and responsive, providing a pleasant and easy-to-use experience.

Camera: Déjà Vu?

You won’t be surprised, but the rear camera setup on the Phone (2a) Plus remains exactly the same. Like the previous model, the primary camera setup includes two sensors: a 50-megapixel wide camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

But wait, there is one change! Nothing upgraded the front camera sensor. Instead of the 32-megapixel sensor that shot video in Full HD, the Phone (2a) Plus comes with a 50-megapixel sensor that shoots 4K video.

To view the images in full quality, click here. 

Image Quality? (Yes, Again)

Well, in daylight shots, the results are impressive. The main camera takes sharp, detail-rich pictures with accurate colors. The ultra-wide camera is also good, though with slightly less detail and some edge distortion (as is common with most phones). As we mentioned in our previous review, even when zoomed in on a computer screen, the images retain their quality. In low-light conditions, image quality drops a bit, but the camera system adds lighting automatically.

That said, we found that a bit of patience is needed to get a good shot (a few seconds of stability). Additionally, the improvement in the selfie camera is noticeable. Pictures in natural light look great with sharp details and accurate colors—definitely a significant improvement over the previous generation.

Bottom Line: Plus-Minus

There’s no doubt that the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a good device. It offers a slight performance upgrade, an improved selfie camera, and a unique design. But does all of this justify a re-release and the “Plus” label? We’re not entirely convinced. We also fear that Nothing might be following the path of many Chinese manufacturers, releasing slight variations of the same device to flood the market. This is not what we expected from this bold brand, which aspires to be the "Apple for the people."

Still, if you overlook the high expectations, the Phone (2a) Plus is a solid device with improved performance and a unique design. Given the small price difference (about NIS 400) compared to the previous model, the dedicated processor and enhanced performance do justify the investment. Priced at NIS 1,749 at Bug Network, the Phone (2a) Plus is a worthwhile choice for the average user.