The recent leaks of the Nothing Phone 2a turned out to be fake, much to the disappointment of tech enthusiasts everywhere. The initial minimalistic renders without any glyphs were actually manipulated images based on rejected designs, not the real 2a. This surprising revelation has sparked some confusion and skepticism among fans and reliable leakers alike.

Here’s what went wrong: the usually-reliable leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer, also known as @OnLeaks, received manipulated files from his source, leading him to believe they were legit. Unfortunately, this misinformation was not initially disclosed by Hemmerstoffer or SmartPrix, the publication collaborating on the leak. This lack of transparency fueled doubts among fans and reliable leakers like Evan Blass (@evleaks), who questioned the validity of the leak from the start.

One of the key indicators that something was off with the leak was that it looked very different from Nothing’s official teasers and didn’t match up with other details we knew about the 2a. As a result, SmartPrix went back to verify their source and both them and Hemmerstoffer have since clarified the situation.

As for the real 2a design, it remains a mystery for now. Until we get official confirmation, any further leaks should be approached with caution. It seems that Blass’s previously leaked design may be more accurate, but we can’t know for sure at this point.

This incident serves as a valuable lesson in reminding us that not all leaks are created equal. Even reliable leakers can sometimes be misled. For the most accurate information, it’s best to rely on design teasers officially released by manufacturers rather than unofficial leaks. Let’s consider this a learning experience for both leakers and tech publications alike.