A video recently released on YouTube reveals that the Nothing Phone 2a is more durable than expected.

The Nothing Phone 2a is Nothing's first mid-range phone and has a similar design to the previous two models, with the same Gorilla Glass-covered screen and aluminum sides as the Nothing Phone 1 and Nothing Phone 2. However, the back of the Nothing Phone 2a is plastic, not glass.

While we can test the software and specifications of the phones we review, we do not have the means to perform drop tests. This video shows PBKReviews testing the Nothing Phone 2a by dropping it from both waist and head height at various angles.

Throughout the test, the Nothing Phone 2a was dropped on the front, back, and sides, with only a few scratches on the paint. Aside from a few cracked corners when dropped on its side, the screen did not crack or shatter. Overall, this phone is surprisingly tough, especially considering it uses Gorilla Glass 5, which was released in 2016.

Note that PBKReviews conducted a drop test of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the screen cracked when dropped from waist height. The cracks were small, but the company did not perform a drop test from head height because of the high likelihood of cracks on the screen.

We also previously reported on Allstate's drop test of a Galaxy S24 in which the screen was completely shattered. However, that test dropped the Galaxy S24 from 6 feet, which may have been the deciding factor.

This kind of physical durability for phones under $350 is something we should expect to see more of in today's market. This durability, combined with improved screen brightness over the Nothing Phone 2, longer battery life, and a relatively good camera selection, makes the Nothing Phone 2a a great choice for those looking for a phone on a budget.

Drop tests can be difficult to determine because of a variety of factors. Height, location, and even how the phone lands can all affect the results. But that doesn't mean it's a useless measurement, and seeing the durability of the Nothing Phone 2a is great and will likely help it reach the top of our next best cheap phones list.