I make a point of not paying much attention to products that aren’t available in Australian retail stores, and I know full well that means I don’t cover a stack of brands – one such brand that’s had a lot of online hype is “Nothing”. The look of their products alone is unique and I think that fuelled the hype, but as of now you can buy Nothing Phones from Australia’s biggest retailer JB-HiFi so I’m all in on Nothing.
For the record, the reason I don’t get into products not on sale here is I want Australians to buy things from Australian retailers so you have the protection of all the strong Australian Consumer Laws – buy online and grey-import and you’re on your own there folks.
Nothing is a UK company who’s first product was a set of ear-buds in mid 2021. Two years ago the company launched it’s first phone, the Nothing 1, with the Nothing 2 announced mid 2023 and a more affordable Nothing Phone 2a just over a month ago.
The devices say, in true Apple Style, “Designed by Nothing in London, UK. Made in China“.
From the unboxing right through the setup these devices feel far more premium than their price tag. Let’s remember the Nothing 2a starts at $529, the Nothing 2 is $999.
Having gone through the setup process of many, many, MANY Android phones over the years, I’ve gotta say the re-skinned version of the Android Setup process was awesome. It really immersed you into the “Nothing” experience. They have a vibe which feels like I’m being onboarded into their corporate culture. Honestly, it’s hard to explain!
Here’s a look at some of the setup screens:
To really grasp how potentially good these phones were, I switched full time to the Nothing Phone 2a – the cheapest one.
For context, I’ve been using the Samsung Galaxy A35 now for a month, so I was already on a $550 phone, this would be a head to head experience.
I loved the Galaxy A35. My main take-outs from that month were the phone could do everything I wanted, but that I noticed myself feeling the lag on app launching, unlocking and the camera opening up. But at $550, I think that’s utterly acceptable.
Fast forward to the Nothing 2a and I’m experiencing nothing of the sort. This is snappy, and feels premium.
It’s far closer to a vanilla Google Android experience than any other of the Android running brands. For that reason you’re getting quick setup of your Google Wallet, Photos, Contacts and Mail.
The only real difference is the look – and I’d barely describe it as a “Skin” – it’s more a theme which dictates colours and fonts to give you this dark, black theme, including as many of your App Icons as it can.
While any Android phone can embrace the world of Widgets, Nothing gives you that by default, pushing their Clock, Calendar, Weather and Google app Widgets right onto the home screen. This is a great way of introducing a more customisable interface to people who’ve never embraced it – or known about it.
One of the key points of different for the Nothing Phone is design. The back of the phone has a transparent style look to it, showing you flattened cables, or on the 2 the Charging Coil. You’re not seeing the circuit boards or anything, so it’s more for looks than functionality.
Within their design differentiator is the Glyphs. A Glyph is a character – but on the Nothing Phone it’s represented on the back of the phone by straight and curved lines that light up. It’s an impressive LED light show for sure, and you can customise not just your ringtone, but the pattern of the Glyph along with it.
I love that it lights up when ringing, sure.
I love that it lights up when there’s a notification.
And you can customise patterns based on a contact card, but honestly, who’s noticing a different pattern light show from one contact to another – not so sure.
All the default tones and ringtones are very much like xylophone sounds, it can take some getting used to.
But in an overall sense, after a week of use, I’ve gotta say, Loving the Nothing Phone. Doesn’t feel like a single corner has been cut here – the Nothing Phone 2a is probably the best value smartphone on the market.
Should you spend the extra on the Nothing Phone 2?
It’s $999 – and the core differences, Wireless Charging, Better Processor, an OLED display instead of AMOLED, More Ram in the 2, and more battery in the 2a.
Seriously, you’ve gotta really need wireless charging to jump up in my view.
And the cameras are both dual 50MP on the rear, and 32MP at the front.
Let’s test the cameras.
In my testing, I went with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the two Nothing phones, and the Samsung A35. So a like priced phone, and the benchmark for photos.
Here’s a bunch of samples:
iPhone:
Nothing 2:
Nothing 2a:
Samsung A35:
Interestingly, I think the 2a did a bloody top job here. iPhone nailed the colours, but that 2a really smashed it.
iPhone 15 Pro max:
Nothing 2:
Nothing 2a:
Samsung A35:
Again, the iPhone gets it on colour, the Nothing phones have great detail and nothing is overblown though – shoutout to the A35 for a strong showing here.
iPhone 15 Pro max:
Nothing 2:
Nothing 2a:
Samsung A35:
The Samsung A35 probably tries too hard here, while the Nothing 2a struggles with the bright sun – but the Nothing Phone 2 is a fantastic performer.
iPhone 15 Pro max:
Nothing 2:
Nothing 2a:
Samsung A35:
I feel like the Samsung was washed out here a bit, but overall, in good light, with a range of content this is a win for all.
iPhone 15 Pro max:
Nothing 2:
Nothing 2a:
Samsung A35:
The 2a struggles on colour here, but on balance they all do well.
Should you buy the Nothing Phone?
JB HiFi seem to be setting themselves up as the single biggest and best destination for mobile phones in Australia.
Nokia have taken the Number 4 spot in Smartphone sales, and that’s got to be in strong part thanks to the retail scale of JB HiFi. The dominance of Apple and Samsung is down to their great products, strong marketing and outstanding brand recognition.
Nothing comes from Nowhere, their brand value is Nothing. Ironic really.
I honestly have no idea how this JB HiFi and Nothing deal came together, feels to me like JB may have taken the initiative here themselves, looking to do something different. If so, it’s a stroke of genius.
Nothing won’t outsell Samsung, but in this $500 and $1,000 price point, they bring themselves right into the top three for consideration.
At the top end – Google Pixel, Samsung and Nothing are just outstanding options.
In the mid-range, Motorola, Nokia, Oppo, Samsung and Nothing are your contenders, and frankly, I love the design and colours Motorola is bringing to that space, and I love the unique style of the Nothing Phone.
At $529 the Nothing Phone 2a will be hard to beat for an EFTM Best award for Best Value Smartphone in 2024 – but we’ll wait and see.
Here’s the deal, if you’ve read this far, you’re on the hook and this phone is for you. You will absolutely not be disappointed by the Nothing Phone 2a, let alone the Nothing Phone 2.
