Nothing Phone 2(a) long-term Review: A glimpse of an allrounder with delicate balancing

Nothing Phone 2(a) long-term Review: Having used the Nothing Phone 2(a) for the past 6 months, one experience that stands out is its all-round performance. The device offers a balanced profile, with almost all aspects meeting expectations. Particularly, the multimedia experience has been decent, as I watched content across several platforms. The device feels durable barring some exceptions. 

Nothing Phone 2(a) long-term Review: Good in-hand feel

Nothing Phone 2(a) long-term Review: The in-hand feel is satisfying, as the device fits comfortably in your palm, with proper weight distribution. Despite using it for long hours, I never felt it to be too heavy. The build is solid, taking the durability factor to the next level. However, the back panel is prone to smudges, making a case indispensable. Another notable issue is the polycarbonate frames, which seemingly feel underwhelming considering the device’s price segment. The good thing is that it hasn't received many noticeable scratches. 

Nothing Phone 2(a) long-term Review: Display stands out, multimedia experience gets a thumbs up

The 6.7-inch full HD AMOLED display is clearly one of the major of the Nothing Phone 2(a). The content viewing is crisp, with good contrast, details, and near-natural colour representation. The thin bezels add to the immersive experience, while the refresh rate, which goes up to 120Hz, makes this display dynamic. The device’s adaptive brightness performs well, if not the best, backed by a high PWM dimming of 2160Hz. The multimedia experience also gets boasted by the stereo speakers, producing loud enough audio to be heard clearly even with a couple of fans whirling overhead.  

Nothing Phone 2(a) Review: Better performance, cleanest Android 

The MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor is a capable performer, though not the most powerful. After testing the device across several usage scenarios, the device’s prowess in handling multitasking can be personally vouched for. Whether watching content viewing, browsing social media, capturing photos, or multitasking, no noticeable stutter occurred. Even during gaming sessions on medium settings, the Nothing Phone 2(a) handles everything thrown at it. The smartphone now runs on Nothing OS 2.5.6 based on Android 14. The smartphone has got several useful updates and the company has also fixed some bugs. The UI is responsive, and most importantly, clean- perhaps offering the cleanest Android experience among other contemporary devices in its segment. 

Nothing Phone 2(a) Review: A tie between daylight and low-light photography

The dual camera setup of the Nothing Phone 2(a) delivers satisfactory photos. And, they seem to fall short of brilliance, though with the thinnest of margins. The 50MP primary sensor takes stunning daylight photos, with proper details and contrasts; however, the low-light photography fails to maintain the daylight momentum. The 50MP ultrawide camera complements the primary camera efficiently, making the camera setup competitive vis-à-vis its segment. The selfie camera is decent, capturing good details and skin tones under daylight. The cameras of this smartphone have been consistent so far.

Nothing Phone 2(a) Review: A faster charging, please

While the 5,000mAh battery is a soothing proposition, the 45W charging speed is something users feel apprehensive about. It takes almost an hour to fill the tank, which is relatively slow compared to other aggressively priced devices. Another downside is the need to spend extra bucks for the charger, increasing the overall cost. But the good part is that it has been steady in providing over a day's backup in normal usage. 

Nothing Phone 2(a) Review: A mixed bag with clear selling points

Overall, the Nothing Phone 2(a) is a solid device with its unique outlook and all-rounder profile. It is both physically and technically durable, courtesy of its study build and the promise of three years of major Android updates. However, the charging speed and low-light photography are some of the areas where improvements are needed. Still, considering its price segment, the device has several decent selling points. Also, this is one of the devices that will not disappoint you even in the long-term and can be your best companion.