News

Nothing Phone (2a) Introduced With New Design And Lower Price

In a global rollout, Nothing has launched the new handset targeting “young & creative” buyers.

Published

3 years ago

March 6, 2024

Nour Nasir

Nothing

Following its debut design showcase at MWC in Barcelona, emerging smartphone manufacturer Nothing has officially introduced the Nothing Phone (2a). This new addition to their product line will diversify the company’s range of models and pricing tiers, and is slated for release on March 8th in Gulf Coast Countries after a global keynote on March 5th.

Beyond its pricing strategy, Nothing sets a new standard in design innovation by introducing what it claims to be the pioneering concept of an “internal smartphone”. This approach seamlessly integrates the device’s components into its external design, presenting essential functionalities in novel and innovative ways.

“Over the past decade, there has been a sea of sameness in the tech industry,” explained Rishi Kishor Gupta, Regional Director for Middle East and Africa at Nothing. “There is clearly a lack of excitement and optimism like we used to feel back in our childhood days. In every single smartphone launch, we see iterations vs. innovations. Here’s where we’re trying to fill the gap”.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

With the brand securing an exclusive distribution partnership with Dubai-based Eros for the UAE and Bahrain markets, consumers in these regions will have the opportunity to be early adopters of the Phone (2a), along with access to exclusive incentives and promotions available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Limited to only 100 units, an exclusive bundle featuring the Phone (2a) will be offered, complete with a personalized thank you card from Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing. Additionally, purchasers will receive a complimentary Phone (2a) case featuring cityscape designs, CMF Buds, a CMF 65W GaN charger, phone straps, and a branded tote bag from Nothing.

Nothing Phone (2a) Specs And Pricing:

Screen: 7″ 120Hz FHD+ OLED (394 PPI)
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
RAM: 8 / 12GB
Storage: 128 / 256GB
Operating System: Nothing OS 2.5
Camera: 50MP main and ultrawide, 32MP selfie
Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3 and GNSS
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Water Resistance: IP54
Dimensions: 162 x 76.3 x 8.9mm
Weight: 190g

The Nothing Phone (2a) will retail at Dh1,199 for the 128GB version, while the 256GB costs Dh1,399.

News

Microsoft Plans $10 Billion-Plus Gulf Expansion Despite Iran Conflict

Security is shaping Microsoft’s approach, from resilience work with governments to what it will say about how the money splits by country.

Published

4 days ago

September 24, 2026

Nour Nasir

Microsoft

Microsoft is planning more than $10 billion of investment across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait through 2030, Vice Chair and President Brad Smith told Reuters, calling the spending schedule aggressive. The Iranian conflict that began on February 28 has not persuaded the company to scale back.

“We’re sustaining all the investments we planned to make before this conflict started, and we are in fact adding to them,” Smith said. The $10 billion-plus total does not, however, show how large those additions are.

The investment, which Smith described as part of Microsoft’s continued infrastructure expansion, is aimed at cloud and AI infrastructure and at the company’s growing regional operations. Microsoft also intends to put more than $400 million into subsea and terrestrial connectivity across the Middle East by 2030.

The spending fits the region’s own ambitions too. Gulf governments have been investing heavily in AI infrastructure as part of a push to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas and turn themselves into global technology hubs. Major cloud and AI providers have been drawn in part by the land and relatively low-cost energy on offer.

Microsoft is widening its partnerships with regional AI companies, though not on identical terms. In 2024, it invested $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi-based G42 for a minority stake, and Smith currently sits on G42’s board. Saudi Arabia’s Humain and Qatar’s Qai are working with Microsoft on selected priority areas, but Smith said the company does not plan to make capital investments in either.

Also Read: Egypt’s Mobile Wallets Are Booming, But Cash Still Has Power

The conflict has added another strand to Microsoft’s work in the region. Since it began, Smith said, the company has supported regional partners with digital resilience assessments, and it is now working with Gulf countries through a digital resilience initiative focused on preparedness and the protection of critical data.

So far, the company has given no country-by-country breakdown of the investment, citing security among other factors. So while the headline figure is public, how Microsoft divides the spending among the four countries is not.