Nothing Phone (2a) rolls out controversial feature in its latest OS update

The Nothing Phone (2a) released a full eight months after its more flagship-oriented big brother, aimed at delivering the brand’s unique identity to a more affordable price. Think of it as a more dialed back version of the flagship Phone 2, providing basic AMOLED rather than LTPO, as well as a Dimensity 7200 Pro chip instead of a flagship Snapdragon. And yes, it does retain the signature “Glyph” lights on the back of the phone albeit, a more subdued implementation.

However, there are a handful of aspects where the phone has received criticism as well. One in particular, could prove to be illegal depending on where you live:

Nothing adds discreet call recording in latest update

Despite the phone just launching recently, Nothing’s already pushing out their Nothing OS 2.5.3 for the Phone (2a) which promises improvements to a number of core features. For one, the update should bring improvements to the phone’s animations, particularly when moving in and out of apps. Users also get three new widgets: battery information, camera, and the phone’s recorder.

It’s the phone recorder which caused some controversy in certain circles. The Nothing Phone (2a)’s recorder can be used to record calls discreetly, without the person on the other end knowing. This is illegal in some places like certain US states, and consent is required before recording any form of correspondence.

Additionally, the Philippines is a two-party consent state too, meaning you need the consent of all parties involved before you start recording, under RA 4200. Make sure you check your own local laws and ordinances before using this feature for calls to avoid any headaches.

Design and battery woes

While the phone does stand on its own as an excellent midrange device, its design has caused some debate. For one, the center-mounted camera module looks similar to pig nostrils, which some found off-putting. Although, there are others who did find it cute while also reducing wobbling when placed on a table.

Additionally, battery life is not as good as it could be, according to some outlets, especially since the Phone (2a) is equipped with a 5,000mAh cell. Now, it’s not bad of course, but it does trail other midrange phones like the Galaxy A54. It does charge much faster though, especially since it supports up to 45W fast charging. Still not as fast as some other Chinese phone brands.

Still, we expect its efficiency woes to improve as Nothing continues to refine its OS via additional updates. Only time will tell.

60,000 sold in 60 minutes

Despite that, overall reception to the smartphone has been positive. In a post on X, Nothing shared that they were able to ship around 60,000 units within the first 60 minutes of the Nothing Phone (2a)’s release, hinting at a positive future for the brand.

If you’re on the hunt for a more interesting smartphone that’s wildly different from most mainstream brands at a more affordable segment, then this might just be the phone to check out. Just be wary of your local consent and privacy laws before you whip out that recorder during calls.

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