Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Glowing Redesign Powered by Fans

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition is here, and it’s likely to be the next thing every design enthusiast has to see.

Born out of a community-led design competition, this phone takes what we loved about Nothing's original design ethos and somehow pushes it further.

Gone are the standard LEDs – in their place, phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark cables wind across the back panel, thanks to an eco-friendly material that absorbs light, then glows in dim settings.

It’s like those glow-in-the-dark stars from childhood but on your phone—delicate, simple, and undeniably cool.

Community designers Astrid Vanhuyse and Kenta Akasaki led the charge, adding their magic touch without compromising on battery life.

"The design builds upon the glowing Glyph interface while reflecting the values of expression and curiosity found in the Nothing community," says Japanese designer/architect Kenta Akasaki and French industrial designer Astrid Vanhuyse.

This gentle green glow doesn’t just look great; it doesn’t drain power.

So, you’re looking at a device that retains Nothing’s philosophy of design-meets-practicality while giving a nod to sustainability.

Akasaki and Vanhuyse continue, "Using green-tinted phosphorescent material finishes, elements of the back of the phone emit a soft glow in the dark. This feature is purely analogue, requiring no power source, and can last for hours before gradually fading until it recharges by daylight."

Low-light Midnight

And for anyone tired of the standard shine-and-flash, this is for you.

Think about it—on your nightstand, it lights up just enough to catch your eye but not enough to mess with your sleep. It’s subtle and functional, capturing the brand’s minimalist approach but in a fresh, community-centred style.

This community-driven approach is more than marketing spin. Nothing received over 900 design ideas from fans across 47 countries.

Vanhuyse and Akasaki’s concept outshone the rest, adding a unique twist that proves the value of a global community’s creativity.

Nothing could’ve just chosen a design and slapped it on the phone, but this was different. It’s a shift in the industry, giving customers more than just a product—giving them a say in its creation.

Selling for $518 (or £399 / €449 / ₹29,999), the Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition drops November 12.

Londoners can also snag one in person at the Nothing Soho store on November 16, with only 1,000 units available.

So, if you’re ready to go case-free and let your phone’s glow do the talking, this one might be for you.