Nothing Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro Arrive with Stronger Hardware and Brighter Displays
Nothing has just introduced its latest mid-range smartphones, the Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro, bringing fresh upgrades to performance, screens, and design without chasing flagship territory this year. These models build on the foundation of their predecessors with noticeable improvements in hardware power and display quality, making them stand out in the competitive mid-range segment. Both phones run Android 16 with Nothing OS 4.1 right out of the box, promising three major operating system updates and six years of security support. The launch happened on March 5, 2026, and availability is rolling out quickly in various markets.
The standard Phone (4a) features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display offering 1,224 by 2,720 resolution and a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, peaking at 4,500 nits for excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor that delivers modest gains in CPU and GPU performance along with better energy efficiency compared to the prior generation. Battery life comes from a 5,080 mAh cell supporting 50 W fast wired charging, which reaches 50 percent in about 22 minutes. The design sticks with a plastic build measuring 8.55 mm thick and weighing 204.5 grams, complete with IP64 dust and splash resistance. On the back, the Glyph Bar uses 63 LEDs plus one red LED for notifications and reaches up to 3,500 nits brightness.
Camera capabilities on the Phone (4a) include a 50 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 50 MP periscope telephoto offering 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8 MP ultrawide lens covering 120 degrees. The front camera is a 32 MP unit, and video recording hits 4K at 30 frames per second, though Ultra XDR mode is limited to Full HD. Connectivity covers 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, with no headphone jack present. Storage options range from 8 GB RAM with 128 GB up to 12 GB RAM and 256 GB using UFS 3.1 for quick access.
The Phone (4a) Pro steps up with a larger 6.83-inch AMOLED panel at 1,260 by 2,800 resolution and a faster 144 Hz refresh rate, hitting an impressive 5,000 nits peak brightness and featuring 2,160 Hz PWM dimming for smoother viewing. It runs on the more capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, which brings substantial boosts including 27 percent faster CPU performance, 30 percent better graphics, and 65 percent quicker AI processing. A vapor chamber cooling system covering 5,300 square millimeters helps maintain performance during extended use. The design shifts to a thinner 7.95 mm metal unibody frame weighing 210 grams with stronger IP65 protection.
Both models share the same 5,080 mAh battery and 50 W charging speeds, though the Pro adds 7.5 W reversible wired charging. The Pro’s Glyph Matrix expands to 137 LEDs for more dynamic notifications and lighting effects. Camera hardware is very similar, but the Pro uses a superior Sony Lytia main sensor and supports full 4K Ultra XDR video recording. Pre-orders for the standard model began immediately after launch, with sales starting soon after, while the Pro opens pre-orders shortly and hits shelves a couple of weeks later.
Pricing positions the Phone (4a) as the more accessible option starting around 350 euros for the base configuration, climbing to about 430 euros for higher variants. The Phone (4a) Pro begins closer to 480 euros and reaches 550 euros for the top spec, reflecting its premium materials and enhanced features. These phones deliver a compelling mix of style, functionality, and value in today’s market.
What do you think of the new Nothing Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro upgrades, and which one would you pick? Share your thoughts in the comments.
