After a disappointing run with the previous generation, we were pleasantly surprised by what Nothing has done with the new Phone (4a) series.
Here’s what’s new with the Nothing Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro, as well as our thoughts on these midrange phones after having tried them out at the local launch event.
Nothing Phone (4a)
Nothing Phone (4a)
Photo: HWZ
Nothing Phone (4a) is a midrange device that retains much of its predecessor’s essence, but the brand has given it upgrades that ensure it can stand on its own.
Its polycarbonate frame comes reinforced with front and back Corning Gorilla Glass 7i instead of last year’s Panda Glass.
The screen also gets slightly larger (6.78-inch) with more pixel density (440 PPI), while still supporting niceties like a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support and up to 4,500 nits of peak brightness.
In our brief experience trying the phone, it was perfectly legible under bright afternoon sunlight and comfortable to use even in dimmer environments.
The metal camera housing makes the phone look a little more premium.
Photo: HWZ
The rear gets a mild redesign, with a new Glyph Bar replacing the old Glyph Interface that surrounded the camera island. This Glyph Bar has only six individually addressable zones instead of 26, but it now gets up to 40% brighter than the Glyph Interface on the Phone (3a) with smoother diffusion and more even illumination.
