Nothing has unveiled its latest smartphone, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, continuing the evolution of its popular Nothing Phone (a) lineup. This new model brings a revamped design and several hardware upgrades over last year’s Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro.
Where the previous generation mainly differed in camera specs between variants, the 4a Pro separates itself with more substantial enhancements. It features a larger display, a beefier processor, a refined metal body, and an upgraded Glyph Matrix lighting interface, reminiscent of the iconic feature on the flagship Nothing Phone (3).
One notable shift is the move away from the plastic frame that defined the previous generation. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro now sports a solid metal chassis. It’s slimmer at 7.95mm thick compared to 8.4mm before, while maintaining the same weight. The phone is rated IP65 for water resistance, meaning it can handle immersion up to 25 centimeters for 20 minutes-a bit shy of the more familiar IP67 standard.
Under the hood is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. This upgrade outpaces the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 found in last year’s models, boasting roughly 27% better CPU performance, 30% superior graphics, and up to a 65% boost in AI processing power.
The device comes with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. According to Nothing, the new storage option offers read speeds up to 147% faster than the UFS 2.2 chips used previously. To keep performance steady, the phone incorporates a large 5300mm² vapor chamber cooling system.
The screen is a highlight: a 6.83-inch OLED panel with an ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and 1260 × 2800 resolution. It peaks at a blazing 5000 nits brightness and uses PWM dimming at an impressive 2160Hz frequency. For protection, it wears Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.
Photography-wise, the main camera opts for a 50MP Sony Lytia 700C sensor (1/1.56-inch) paired with an f/1.88 lens and optical image stabilization. It supports 4K video recording at 30fps with an ”Ultra XDR” mode that the company likens to Dolby Vision HDR quality.
The periscope telephoto camera houses a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 sensor with 3.5x optical zoom and image stabilization. Thanks to sensor-based zooming, digital zoom can extend up to 7x.
The ultrawide camera remains unchanged – an 8MP Sony IMX355 sensor with a 120-degree field of view. The front-facing camera, however, has been downgraded slightly, now sporting a 32MP sensor (1/3.42-inch) instead of the 50MP sensor used in the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro will hit the market on March 27 with a starting price of $500 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version.
Why it matters: Nothing has carved out a unique niche by blending innovative design with practical features that challenge mainstream smartphone trends. For international audiences sniffing out fresh mid-range devices that undercut big brands on both style and substance, the 4a Pro’s metal build, super-bright 144Hz screen, and Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip show Nothing’s commitment to pushing hardware boundaries. For Russian readers, Nothing is notable as a rising local favorite brand that competes vigorously against well-established global players, making this launch especially relevant in a market hungry for high-spec alternatives.
Overall, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro strikes a compelling balance. It ups the ante on build quality and performance at a competitive price point, while still maintaining quirky DNA like the Glyph Matrix lighting system. However, the slight front camera downgrade and modest water resistance rating might leave power users and outdoor adventurers wanting a bit more. Still, at $500, it’s an enticing option in the crowded mid-tier arena, and it will be interesting to see how it shapes Nothing’s momentum ahead of their next flagship releases.