Nothing, a UK-based smartphone maker co-founded by former OnePlus executive Carl Pei, is known for its sleek design and minimalist approach. The company has launched two smartphones so far: the Nothing Phone (1) and the Nothing Phone (2). The latter is the company’s flagship device, which is available in the US for $600. However, the company is also working on a more affordable version of the Phone (2), called the Nothing Phone (2a).
The Nothing Phone (2a) is expected to be a mid-range smartphone with some compromises in performance and features. The device was recently spotted on the TUV certification website (via MySmartPrice) with the model number A142. The certification revealed that the Phone (2a) will support 45W fast charging, which is impressive for a budget device.
Many smartphones in 2024 offer up to 120W fast charging, but 45W is still considered fast enough to charge the device quickly. The Phone (2a) will have an edge over its competitors in this aspect, as the Pixel 7a and the rumored iPhone SE 4 both support lower charging speeds.
However, the Phone (2a) may not be able to compete with other mid-range smartphones in terms of other specifications. According to leaks, the Phone (2a) will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 SoC, which is a lower-end chipset compared to the Exynos 1480 or the Tensor G2 that are expected to power the Galaxy A55 and the Pixel 7a, respectively.
The Phone (2a) will also come in two variants based on memory capacity: 8/128GB and 12/256GB. The device will run on Nothing OS 2.5, which is based on Android 14, and will receive 3 years of OS updates. The Phone (2a) will feature a 120Hz OLED display and will be available in two colors: black and white. The base model of the Phone (2a) is likely to cost around $400.
The Phone (2a) is expected to launch soon, possibly in February, at the company’s “Nothing to See” event. Carl Pei has teased the launch of a new smartphone, which could be the Phone (2a), at the event. The company is also planning to launch new neckband headphones and a power bank at the same event.
Nothing is a new entrant in the smartphone market, but it has already gained some attention for its unique design and philosophy. The Phone (2a) could be a way for the company to expand its customer base and offer a more accessible option for smartphone users. However, the Phone (2a) will also face stiff competition from other established brands in the mid-range segment. It remains to be seen how the Phone (2a) will fare in the market and whether it will live up to the expectations of the Nothing fans.