Nothing Phone 2a: new smartphone’s release date, features, and price

London’s tech brand Nothing is known for making affordable devices that stand out from the crowd.

With their light-up transparent backs and customisable home screens, the company’s phones have helped it to gain a cult-like status among gadget fans.

Now, Nothing is poised to release its next handset, a cheaper alternative to its flagship Nothing Phone 2. Here’s what we know about the Nothing Phone 2a.

Nothing Phone 2a release date

The Nothing Phone 2a will be unveiled at a launch event on March 5, Nothing recently announced.

A video confirming the date contains the words “Fresh.Eyes” surrounded by a bunch of cartoon pupils. Is that a nod to a new design or some kind of fancy camera trick? Time will tell.

The Nothing Phone 2’s transparent back (Nothing)

Nothing Phone 2a features

Beyond some vague hints, Nothing hasn’t given much away about the new phone. 

In a recent promotional video, the company’s lead designer Jon Weightman said the Nothing Phone 2a will be “quite different” from its pricier predecessor. Don’t worry, though, those “glyph” lights on the back will return. 

In the same clip, Nothing boss Carl Pei chided other phone makers for neglecting their mid-budget phones in favour of their flagships. He also suggested that the 2a wouldn’t shove ads or pre-installed apps on users. These are two controversial features on some budget phones that leave a bad taste in the mouth.

Despite Nothing’s best efforts, unverified leaks have revealed some of the 2a’s biggest features. The phone will reportedly include a 6.7-inch OLED screen, which is what we got on the flagship. Whether it will have the luminous brightness of its predecessor remains to be seen. 

The newcomer will also feature a Dimensity 7200 Ultra chip, a mainstay on many mid-budget phones from Chinese brands. Like the popular Samsung Galaxy A54 before it, the phone will come with a 50MP main camera and 32MP selfie shooter. However, the ultrawide lens on the back is said to be bigger at 50MP.

Nothing Phone 2a launching globally on March 5th

Gets
- 6.7"~ FHD+ OLED, 120Hz
- MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra
- 50MP + 50MP (UW)
- 32MP selfie
- Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5
- 45W charging

(Limited US release)

Expected Pricing: $400, INR 30K

Thoughts?? pic.twitter.com/BB4SUyqt25

— Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) February 13, 2024

It will come with Nothing’s custom-tuned version of Android out of the box and support 45W of fast charging. On paper, we’re looking at an affordable maverick that can go toe-to-toe with the best mid-range phones.

Nothing Phone 2a price

According to a separate leak, the Nothing Phone 2a will cost €349 (£298) in Europe.

By comparison, the original Nothing Phone from 2022 started from £399, while the Nothing Phone 2 was £579 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

Meanwhile, both the Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy A54 cost £449 each at launch.