These are the Nothing Phone (2a) prototypes that didn’t make the cut،
The highly anticipated Nothing Phone (2a) is expected to hit the mid-range market very soon. After causing a sensation at MWC 2024 and dealing with a loyal fan to a special unboxing of the device, there are only a few details left to reveal before the official launch.
Carl Pei and Nothing have pretty much perfected the art of building anticipation for upcoming products and following through with the right marketing. The Nothing Phone (2a) was no exception, making it one of those devices that can't help but leak for us smartphone enthusiasts to Google and speculate. But how does a smartphone achieve the final design that we can ultimately enjoy?
In a recent interview with Wallpaper*The founder of Rien Carl Pei discussed the design and manufacturing process of the phone. He revealed that there were many phone prototypes that didn't make the cut. These prototypes included phones with different materials and designs, such as phones with curved screens and phones with under-screen cameras.
One of the rejected prototypes happened to be the one that was leaked earlier this month as a “final design”, which later turned out not to be the case. This prototype joins several others in a multitude of backplates and cases that are now part of the “could have been” collection. These have now been revealed and presented in the gallery below:
Credit all images: Wallpaper*
Pei said the Nothing team ultimately decided to go with a high-density polycarbonate back, instead of glass, coated with what they call an “anti-fingerprint triple coating.” The central frame, however, is made from recycled aluminum as it is the most sustainable option.
The Nothing Phone (2a) is expected to be fully revealed on March 5 and released shortly after. It's not yet clear how much the phone will cost, but it should be priced competitively.
