Nothing has launched the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, an upgraded variant of their mid-range Nothing Phone 2a.
Typically, a “Plus” model in a smartphone lineup signifies enhancements such as a larger screen, increased battery capacity, or potentially a more powerful processor.
While the Nothing Phone 2a Plus does feature several upgrades, it’s worth asking whether these changes were truly necessary.
To help clarify the differences, here is a detailed Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus comparison. This will provide insights into the improvements and whether the additional features justify the update.
- Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus Specifications
- Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus Benchmarks
- Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus Differences
- How Significant Are the Differences in Real Life?
- Similarities Between Nothing Phone 2a and 2a Plus
- Was the Nothing Phone 2a Plus Really Necessary?
- Should the Nothing Phone 2a Plus Exist?
- Is the Nothing Phone 2a Plus Worth the Extra $50?
- The Problem with the Nothing Phones in the USA
- Conclusion: Which One Should You Pick?
- FAQs
Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus Specifications
Specs | Nothing Phone 2a | Nothing Phone 2a Plus |
---|---|---|
Release Date | 12 March, 2024 | 3 August 2024 |
Display | 6.7 inch, FHD+, AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (Typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (Peak) | 6.7 inch, FHD+, AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (Typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (Peak) |
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm), 2x 2.8GHz Cortex-A715 and 6x 2.0GHz Cortex-A510 | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm), 2x 3.0GHz Cortex-A715 and 6x 2.0GHz Cortex-A510 |
Cores | 8 | 8 |
GPU | Mali-G610 MC4, 1130MHz | Mali-G610 MC4, 1300MHz |
RAM | 8/12GB | 8/12GB |
Internal Storage | 128/256GB, UFS 2.2 | 256GB, UFS 2.2 |
Operating System | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.6 | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.6 |
OS Updates | 3 Major, 4 Years Security | 3 Major, 4 Years Security |
Rear Camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.57″, OIS + 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (Ultrawide), 1/2.76″ | 50 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.57″, OIS + 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (Ultrawide), 1/2.76″ |
Camera Features | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
Front Camera | 32 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.74″ | 50 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76″ |
Battery | 5000 mAh with 45W Fast Charging | 5000 mAh with 50W Fast Charging, 5W Reverse Wired |
Estimated Usage | 6.5 hours SOT on normal to heavy use | 6.5 hours SOT on normal to heavy use |
Dimensions & Weight | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm, 188.3 g | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm, 189.5 g |
Connectivity | Dual nano SIM, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0 | Dual nano SIM, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0 |
Sensors | Under-Display Fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Light sensor, Gyro | Under-Display Fingerprint sensor, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Light sensor, Gyro |
Others | IP54 | IP54 |
Colors | Black, White, Blue | Black, Grey |
Price | $349 in the U.S., £349 in the U.K. | $399 in the U.S., £399 in the U.K. |
Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus Benchmarks
Benchmarks | Nothing Phone 2a | Nothing Phone 2a Plus |
---|---|---|
AnTuTu | 705000 | 770000 |
AnTuTu GPU | 182110 | 209300 |
Geekbench | Single Core: 1150, Multi Core: 2565 | Single Core: 1210, Multi Core: 2670 |
Storage Speed | Read: 1040 MB/s, Write: 980 MB/s | Read: 1038 MB/s, Write: 977 MB/s |
Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus Differences
Differences | Nothing Phone 2a | Nothing Phone 2a Plus |
---|---|---|
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm), 2x 2.8GHz Cortex-A715 and 6x 2.0GHz Cortex-A510 | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm), 2x 3.0GHz Cortex-A715 and 6x 2.0GHz Cortex-A510 |
GPU | Mali-G610 MC4, 1130MHz | Mali-G610 MC4, 1300MHz |
Front Camera | 32 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.74″ | 50 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76″ |
Charging | 45W | 50W |
Colors | Black, White, Blue | Black, Grey |
Others | Glass finish on the back | Metallic finish on the lower half of the back and the buttons |
How Significant Are the Differences in Real Life?
So far, we know there are differences between the Nothing Phone 2a and 2a Plus. Now, let’s analyze how significant these differences are.
Processor:
The differences between the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro and the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro are minor. Both processors use the same core configuration, with the only notable difference being that the two performance cores in the Dimensity 7350 Pro (Cortex-A715) are clocked at 3GHz, compared to 2.8GHz on the Dimensity 7200 Pro. The efficiency cores (Cortex-A510) are clocked at 2.0GHz on both processors.
This slight increase in clock speed does not result in a noticeable difference in real-world performance. Both phones run smoothly, and the change in CPU does not translate to a significant improvement for the Phone 2a Plus.
In most scenarios, performance between the two models is comparable, with only rare instances showing a marginal advantage for the Phone 2a Plus.
GPU:
The GPUs in both phones are similar, but the Phone 2a Plus has a slightly higher frequency of 1300MHz compared to 1130MHz on the Phone 2a. The company claims a 30% improvement in graphical performance for the Phone 2a Plus, but in practice, the difference is closer to 10-12%.
For example, if a game runs at 60 fps on the Phone 2a Plus, it would run at approximately 52-55 fps on the Phone 2a. For lighter or moderately demanding games, both phones deliver comparable performance.
Front Camera:
While the upgrade from a 32MP to a 50MP front camera on the Phone 2a Plus may seem significant, higher megapixels do not always equate to better image quality. Software processing plays a crucial role in image quality.
The 50MP front camera on the Phone 2a Plus captures slightly sharper images, but the Phone 2a excels in image processing, with superior HDR and highlight management. In many cases, the Phone 2a’s front camera produces better photos.
However, the Phone 2a Plus may receive software updates to enhance its camera performance. For videos, the Phone 2a Plus does capture sharper, more detailed footage, especially in low light.
Battery:
Despite having the same battery capacity, the Phone 2a offers better battery life than the Phone 2a Plus. It may be due to the increased power consumption and heat generation from the slightly more powerful cores in the Plus model.
In terms of charging, the Phone 2a takes 59 minutes to charge from 0 to 100% with a 45W charger, while the Phone 2a Plus charges in 56 minutes with a 50W charger. The 3-minute difference in charging time does not justify the Phone 2a Plus as a significant upgrade.
Others:
The metallic finish on the buttons and the lower half of the Phone 2a Plus adds an industrial feel, though the actual material is plastic. The Phone 2a Plus features slightly improved haptics with tighter feedback, but the difference is minimal.
Additionally, the Phone 2a Plus camera app includes Neutral and Vivid modes, which could potentially be added to the Phone 2a through a software update.
So, how significant are the differences between the Nothing Phone 2a and the Phone 2a Plus?
The differences are quite minor, and most regular users will not notice any substantial change. Therefore, the distinctions between these two models are not significant enough to justify the Phone 2a Plus being labeled as a true “Plus” variant.
Nothing has also launched the CMF Phone 1. You can view its specifications and features here.
Similarities Between Nothing Phone 2a and 2a Plus
Aside from the differences mentioned, the Nothing Phone 2a and Phone 2a Plus are essentially identical. They share the same looks, design, in-hand feel, display quality, brightness, battery capacity, rear cameras, software experience, features, storage options, connectivity, dimensions, and weight.
Was the Nothing Phone 2a Plus Really Necessary?
Nothing has stated that they saw an opportunity with the Nothing Phone 2a to cater to power users, leading to the launch of the Nothing Phone 2a Plus to meet this demand.
The question remains: Can increasing the frequency of two cores and the GPU truly make a mid-range phone suitable for power users?
If the company genuinely aimed to address the needs of power users, they might have considered using Snapdragon processors like the 7+ Gen 3, which would have supported their claim more effectively.
Although the front camera has been upgraded, the improvement is not significant in real-world use, and most users are unlikely to notice any difference in image quality.
Given the incremental changes between the Nothing Phone 2a and the Phone 2a Plus, there appears to be little justification for launching the Phone 2a Plus.
Also Read: Are Motorola phones worth buying?
Should the Nothing Phone 2a Plus Exist?
To be honest, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus seems unnecessary, as it does not offer any compelling advantages over the Phone 2a.
It’s important to clarify that the Phone 2a Plus is not a bad phone—it’s actually quite good. However, the Phone 2a is also a strong contender and similarly good.
The Phone 2a Plus would have made more sense if it had replaced the Phone 2a, perhaps priced only $10-$15 higher. In such a scenario, the Phone 2a Plus could have been a more logical choice.
While there may be a possibility of such a scenario in the future, given the current situation, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus should not exist.
Is the Nothing Phone 2a Plus Worth the Extra $50?
No, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus isn’t worth the extra $50. While there may be some debate about the processor, it’s essentially the same in both models, with only a minor improvement in the Phone 2a Plus.
If the Phone 2a Plus had been priced just $10 to $20 more than the Phone 2a, it could have been a reasonable option. However, at an additional $50, the Phone 2a Plus does not offer significant upgrades over the standard Phone 2a to justify the higher price.
The Problem with the Nothing Phones in the USA
This issue is not limited to the Nothing Phone 2a or 2a Plus but affects all Nothing phones in the USA.
Despite the company’s claims of full carrier support, Nothing phones generally offer less comprehensive carrier band support in the USA compared to other devices with full carrier compatibility.
Additionally, we’ve observed that network speeds on Nothing phones can be inconsistent compared to other devices. The 5G support on Nothing phones is also less seamless, as 5G availability can be limited due to the lack of partnerships between Nothing and US carriers.
While you can still use Nothing phones effectively, be aware that you might encounter some carrier-related issues in the US.
You might find the Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 comparison interesting.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Pick?
Between the Nothing Phone 2a and the Phone 2a Plus, we recommend opting for the Nothing Phone 2a to save some money.
As previously mentioned, the Phone 2a Plus is only marginally better than the Phone 2a, with no significant improvements to justify the higher cost.
If you need a slight boost in performance, the Phone 2a Plus could be considered, but for better value, the Phone 2a is the more sensible choice.
Additionally, if you already own the Nothing Phone 2a, there is no compelling reason to upgrade to the Phone 2a Plus.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. We’ve provided our honest opinion to help you get the best value for your money.
You might also consider the Pixel 8a as an alternative to the Nothing Phone 2a Plus. Learn more about the Pixel 8a in detail.
FAQs
1. What are the main differences between the Nothing Phone 2a and Phone 2a Plus?
The primary differences include minor enhancements in processor performance and GPU frequency, a higher-resolution front camera, and slightly improved charging speed. However, these upgrades are not substantial enough to create a significant distinction in daily use between the two models.
2. Should I upgrade to the Nothing Phone 2a Plus if I already own the Phone 2a?
If you already own the Phone 2a, there is absolutely no need to upgrade to the Phone 2a Plus. The differences between the two models are minor, and the Phone 2a remains a great option. The incremental improvements in the Plus model do not warrant an upgrade.
3. What are the build quality and design differences between the Nothing Phone 2a and the Phone 2a Plus?
Both models have a similar design and build quality. The Phone 2a Plus features a metallic finish on the lower half of the back and the buttons, giving it a slightly more premium feel, though the material remains plastic. The haptics and tactile feedback are marginally better on the Plus model.
4. Will the Nothing Phone 2a Plus receive more updates than the Phone 2a?
Both phones will receive similar updates and support, as they both run the same version of the software.
However, since the Phone 2a Plus is five months newer than the Phone 2a, it may receive minor updates for a few more months. Nonetheless, these additional updates are unlikely to be major or significantly different from those provided to the Phone 2a.
5. What should I consider when deciding between the Nothing Phone 2a and the Phone 2a Plus?
Consider the value you are getting for the additional cost. The Phone 2a Plus offers minor improvements over the Phone 2a, so if these enhancements are not crucial to you, the Phone 2a is likely a better value. Assess your need for the extra performance and features before making a decision.
That concludes the Nothing Phone 2a vs 2a Plus comparison. If you have any further questions or doubts, feel free to ask in the comments section.
Additionally, we’d love to hear your thoughts on whether you agree or disagree with this comparison.