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

2 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

Samsung And Spotify Offer Free Premium Deal In MENA

Nearly seven in ten streams in the region come from 18-to-34-year-olds — the audience Samsung is hoping to entice into its ecosystem.

Published

6 days ago

August 7, 2026

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Samsung has announced a partnership with Spotify spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye, bundling Spotify Premium with select devices across its ecosystem. The headline offer — up to four months of Premium for free — is a first for the region.

Customers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Türkiye who buy any OLED or 98-inch television, or any Galaxy S or Z series mobile device, get four months of Spotify Premium. The offer, tiered by market and device, is available at retail and on Samsung.com, and redeemed through the Samsung Promotion and Samsung Members apps.

For Samsung, the strategy is less about free music than about lock-in. The Korean tech giant’s pitch is continuity: a track starts on a Galaxy smartphone through Galaxy Buds on the commute, moves to a Samsung TV and soundbar in the living room, and stays controllable from a Galaxy Watch. The more seamlessly music travels between those devices, the harder it becomes to swap any one of them for a rival’s.

“Technology should bring people closer to the things they love, and few things connect people the way music does,” said Omar Saheb, Regional VP of Marketing and Online Business at Samsung Electronics MENA. The partnership, he added, gives customers “a genuine reason to choose Samsung for the experience, not only the product”.

Also Read: Shokz OpenFit Pro Review: Open-Ear Audio Finally Grows Up

For subscribers, Premium brings the usual package: ad-free listening, offline downloads, richer audio quality on Galaxy Buds and Samsung sound devices, and Jam, which lets friends build a shared queue.

“At Spotify, we are always working to make every listening moment feel more personal, meaningful, and worth it,” said Rami Jamal, Head of Partnerships at Spotify for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa.

The demographics go a long way to explaining the strategy. Across MENA, Türkiye, and Pakistan, nearly seven in ten Spotify streams come from listeners aged 18 to 34, according to the company — precisely the audience Samsung wants inside its hardware ecosystem before buying habits harden.