The Nothing Phone 2a is releasing in March, but there’s a catch

A person holding the Nothing Phone 2, with the lights lit up.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The date is set for the arrival of Nothing’s next phone. The British upstart’s upcoming flashy gizmo — the Nothing Phone 2a — will arrive on March 5, right after the Mobile World Congress 2024 consumer tech fest concludes. In a short hype film that dropped earlier today, Nothing teased that the device could be cheaper than the Nothing Phone 2, which chased flagship credentials.

Once again, a standout design will be the key selling point, but the looks will be married to meaningful tricks. CEO Carl Pei, an alum of OnePlus, took a few potshots at Chinese smartphone brands in the non-flagship segment (as well as Samsung), ribbing them for chasing volume sales while cramming in parts that are barely useful to the buyer. two-megapixel macro cameras, eh? Of course, a UI loaded with bloatware and ads was also in the crosshairs.

Recommended Videos

Those cool LED lights at the back, which also blend functionally with app notifications and alerts, will make an appearance on the Nothing Phone 2a. This time around, though, it seems we are in for a fresh take on what Nothing calls the Glyph Interface. Notably, the company is also opening it to developers, allowing them access to the LED light elements so that they can play well with third-party apps.

Why Phone (2a)?

Speaking of developers, it seems they will be the only folks able to get their hands on the Nothing Phone 2a, at least on U.S. soil. The company has no wide-release plans for the U.S. market. For folks in Asian markets like India and Europe, they will be able to purchase it without any developer shenanigans.

Related

  • Nothing Phone 2a: news, rumored price, release date, and more

  • The Google Pixel Fold 2 just got a lot more exciting

  • Don’t buy a Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max. Do this instead

“In the U.S., Phone (2a) will be accessible to developers exclusively through Nothing’s U.S. Developer Program. Participants will be provided a Phone (2a) and are encouraged to provide feedback on their experience and outcomes using the Glyph Developer Kit,” says the company in an official press release.

Nothing won’t say why the device isn’t getting a wide release in the U.S. market, but if the brand’s previous statements are anything to go by, carrier deals and profitability could once again be the culprits. We have sent a query to Nothing regarding the lopsided market release and will update this story accordingly.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Rumored to cost somewhere around $400, the Nothing Phone 2a will reportedly embrace a fresh camera island look at the back. However, Nothing’s design chief has confirmed that the Nothing Phone 2a will once again play with the transparent design elements that have become a hallmark of the brand.

As far as the internals go, leaks hint at MediaTek’s Dimensity 8300 chip, a 6.7-inch 120Hz display, and a minimum of 128GB of onboard storage. The two cameras at the back rely on a 50-megapixel sensor each, while Nothing OS 2.5, based on Android 14, will handle things on the software side.

Related posts

Latest posts

TSMC in dilemma as US pushes ‘Made in USA’ strategy with Intel

The U.S. government has given the Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC three proposals to keep producing with the country, which brought up several challenges.

I’ve found a perfect use for the Galaxy Ring, but I can’t recommend it

The Samsung Galaxy Ring was a miss for me — but I've still managed to find the perfect use for it. Only, I can't recommend it to anyone. Here's why.

Why I’m sad this delightful iPhone camera is about to go away

It looks certain Apple will take the 12-megapixel away from its cheapest iPhone very soon. Let me explain why I'm sad about it.

Moto G Power 2025 review: A solid $300 phone

What makes the Moto G Power 2025 a great phone despite being just $300? Find out in our review.

7 years of updates aren’t what you think they are and Samsung just proved it

The Galaxy S24 will miss out on features the hardware can't support.

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Powerbeats Pro: A killer upgrade for runners and gym nuts alike

Apple took almost six years to upgrade the Powerbeats Pro, so are the Powerbeats Pro 2 worth the wait? You

How to download TikTok videos on Android

If you find a favorite TikTok video you want to keep or download to watch offline, it's easy to do

Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Every key upgrade

The Garmin Instinct 3 vs. 2 has major differences in battery life, accuracy, smarts, display quality, and memory, but the

Top Stories: ‘Apple Launch’ Next Week, Powerbeats Pro 2 Debut, and More

Apple is in the middle of trickling out a variety of announcements including Powerbeats Pro 2 and an Apple TV+

10+ Announcements Apple Could Have Rolled Into a February Event

Apple appears to have enough upcoming product announcements to justify a full event this month, yet all signs indicate these