Nothing Phone (4a) Series: A Pro Upgrade with Major Improvements
The Nothing Phone (4a) series has officially launched, offering a range of upgrades and new features. The series includes the base Phone (4a) and the more premium Phone (4a) Pro, both of which come with a slightly higher price tag but significant enhancements.
Design and Display
The Phone (4a) boasts a design reminiscent of the Nothing Phone (3a), with new color options and tinted glass on the pink and blue variants. It features IP64 dust/water resistance, Android 16 out of the box, and improved Essential Space, including cloud access and Essential Apps support. The display is a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel with 1224x2720 resolution, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i.
The Phone (4a) Pro, on the other hand, showcases a more premium design with a metal unibody and a smaller rear display containing 137 LEDs. It lacks the transparent elements seen on the Phone (3), and its camera bar resembles an iPhone. The Pro model features a 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED display with higher brightness and Gorilla Glass 7i protection, a significant improvement over the previous generation.
Camera and Performance
Both devices are equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP 3.5x telephoto camera, and a versatile Sony ultrawide lens ( rumored to be 8MP). The Phone (4a) Pro takes it a step further with a trio of 50MP cameras, including a Sony LYT700c main sensor, a 3.5x telephoto periscope, and an ultra-wide lens. The Pro also supports 4K Ultra XDR video capture, Dolby Vision, and up to 140x hybrid zoom.
Under the hood, the Phone (4a) Pro boasts a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, offering a 30% performance boost in both CPU and GPU, along with enhanced AI capabilities. The base Phone (4a) uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, providing a similar performance increase.
Software and Battery
Both devices run on Nothing OS 4.1, based on Android 16, and feature a 5,080 mAh battery with 50W wired charging. They do not support wireless charging, but Nothing promises 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates, matching their previous policy.
Pricing and Availability
The pricing for the Phone (4a) series is competitive, with the base model starting at £349 and the Pro model at £499. Pre-orders for the Phone (4a) begin on March 5, while the Phone (4a) Pro pre-orders start on March 13. It's worth noting that these phones will not be sold directly in the US.
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone (4a) series offers a compelling upgrade, particularly the Phone (4a) Pro, with its powerful specifications and premium design. The combination of improved performance, enhanced camera capabilities, and a competitive price makes it an attractive choice for smartphone enthusiasts.
