Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Review: Aluminum Unibody Makes a Comeback
Nothing looks set to deliver another strong midrange contender. The Phone (4a) Pro delivers on the brand’s signature appeal—distinctive, quirky, and unmistakably Nothing.
The price has edged up from the Phone (3a) Pro to $499 or €479. Pre-orders through Nothing’s site offer discounts in some regions, potentially matching the predecessor’s cost.
At half the price of the flagship Phone (3) ($799), it remains a budget-friendly option. Nothing has noted the “a” series’ strong reception and its role in building the brand. The question is whether the Phone (4a) Pro keeps that momentum going.
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Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
Good Stuff
- nice design
- good price
- good display
Bad Stuff
- use of plastic on the back
- average camera
Design and Display
The Phone (4a) Pro stands out from previous “a” models with its full aluminum unibody construction. Wireless charging is off the table as a result, but the solid metal build feels premium and long-missed in recent years. It stays light and well-balanced for comfortable handling.
A transparent section remains on the back, limited to the acrylic-covered camera island. The overall feel is solid, though the scaled-back transparency suggests a shift toward convention. The plastic camera bump may attract scratches over time.
Despite the 6.9-inch screen, the phone qualifies as thin and manageable, aided by smart weight distribution.
The Essential button returns, tying into Essential Space—Nothing’s lightweight AI tool for organizing screenshots, photos, and voice notes. On-device AI tags content for easy retrieval, much like an enhanced version of Google’s Screenshots app. The button provides quick access to the library or new captures, serving as a distinctive Nothing touch.
Volume and power buttons offer satisfying clicks—firm without being loose.
The traditional Glyph LED strips are gone, as on the Phone (3). The new circular low-res Glyph Matrix sits on the camera island, a more appealing placement than on the Phone (3).
Functions are simplified compared to the Phone (3)’s Glyph Toys. It displays time, timers, calendar progress, notification icons, or volume levels—no games like spin the bottle or 8-ball.
The box includes the phone, a transparent case, and a standard USB-C cable, ditching the old transparent styling for a blockier design.
The 6.9-inch AMOLED display packs a 1260 x 2800 resolution (440 PPI), 144Hz refresh rate—higher than the Phone (3)’s 120Hz—and 5,000 nits peak brightness. It delivers sharp, vibrant visuals, with a natural color profile for a less intense look.
Day-to-day brightness hits around 1,500 nits across the full screen, performing well outdoors despite lacking anti-reflective coating.
An optical in-display fingerprint scanner works quickly and reliably. Face Unlock relies on the selfie camera, limiting it to well-lit conditions and lower security.
Camera
Smartphone cameras continue to chase natural-looking results, but the Phone (4a) Pro as a midranger falls short. Dynamic range is limited, color matching across the main, ultrawide, and 3.5x zoom lenses is inconsistent, and processing introduces oversharpening and noise artifacts.
Reds can oversaturate in some shots, while others suffer from incorrect exposure or blue casts. It works for casual snapshots but struggles with standout photography. The 3.5x zoom holds up for portraits before details fade beyond that.
Predictability is the real issue for a good midrange camera. For better results, a Pixel 9a might suit photography-focused buyers.
Videos appear overexposed and oversaturated. A bug prevents autofocus when zooming during recording after lens switches, though Nothing typically addresses such issues through software updates.
Performance
Power comes from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, a midrange chip below the flagship Snapdragon 8 series. Its CPU matches a late-2022 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 level, with the GPU a bit stronger.
Paired with Nothing’s efficient software, it handles modern Android smoothly without excess power for demanding tasks.
In CPU tests against $500 rivals, it holds its own. An iPhone 17e with the Apple A19 would dominate, even with fewer GPU cores. GPU performance beats the Exynos in the Galaxy A56, appealing to mobile gamers.
Storage choices are 128GB/8GB RAM or 256GB/12GB RAM, with the upgrade adding $100 and edging into iPhone 17e pricing.
Software
Nothing OS 4.1 runs on Android 16 out of the box. The clean, flat interface feels responsive, with monochrome icons offering a minimalist vibe.
Support includes three major Android updates and four years of security patches, potentially carrying the phone through to 2030.
Battery
A 5,080 mAh battery and efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 yield solid endurance: 16 hours of browsing and 12 hours of video playback.
Gaming drops results to around 6 hours, trailing some rivals but acceptable for the price and segment.
50W charging hits 67% from empty in 30 minutes using Nothing or compatible third-party chargers. No wireless charging due to the aluminum body.
Audio and Haptics
Stereo speakers are loud with decent tuning for system sounds and videos, though they sound tinny for music. No 3.5mm jack.
Haptics stand out, delivering precise feedback that complements the interface.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro stands as a bold statement phone for those avoiding generic Galaxies or iPhones. Its handling, display, and performance match $500 peers, while the UI brings thoughtful, unique touches.
Cameras remain the weak spot. Buyers who can overlook that will find a compelling package; others may want to wait for software tweaks or consider alternatives.
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