In case you missed it, Nothing Philippines has officially launched its latest devices, including the Nothing Phone (4a) and Nothing Headphone (a). We have been using both devices for a while now, and here is our full review of the Phone (4a).
This is my first time using a Nothing Phone, and it feels like a fresh experience, especially with its distinct software approach.
Design
Starting with the design, the Nothing Phone (4a) features a unique and sophisticated look. I have always liked the design language of Nothing devices, and this one is no exception.
It retains the signature transparent back, and the camera island looks quite similar to its predecessor, now with a color accent for added personality.
It also introduces the new Glyph Bar, which can be used for essential notifications and even as a progress tracker. I found this especially useful when placing the phone face down, allowing me to stay updated without constantly checking the screen and reducing distractions.
The only minor concern for me is the thickness. At 8.5mm, it feels slightly thicker than expected considering the battery capacity, but it is something you can get used to over time. The device is available in White, Black, Pink, and Blue. I saw the Pink colorway during the launch event, and it really stood out with its unique and eye-catching look.
Display and Multimedia Experience
The Nothing Phone (4a) comes with a large 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 2,500Hz touch sampling rate, 2,160Hz PWM dimming, up to 4,500 nits peak brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection.
The display quality is good and enjoyable for media consumption. However, I found the bezels a bit larger than expected, which can be slightly distracting.
On the bright side, the colors are vibrant and visually pleasing. The screen is also bright enough for outdoor use, making it easy to view even under direct sunlight.
Camera
The Nothing Phone (4a) features an upgraded camera system with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP periscope lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP front camera.
The photos have a distinct look that sets them apart. Based on my experience, the images tend to be contrasty with slightly darker tones. Details are sharp, and while the colors are fairly vibrant, they can sometimes feel a bit subdued. That said, the overall output is still pleasing.
I liked the night mode photos we captured with this phone because it balances the shadows and exposure well, and the details are also good.
Selfies also deliver good image quality, especially in well-lit environments. However, similar to the rear camera, there is a tendency for shadows to appear slightly under-processed.
For video, the phone supports up to 4K at 30fps on the rear camera and 1080p at 60fps on the front. I do find the front camera resolution a bit limited since many phones in this price range already support 4K video. Still, the video quality is decent, and stabilization works well. Footage from the rear camera also looks good with reliable stabilization.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Nothing Phone (4a) is powered by a 4nm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 octa-core processor, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
Performance is fast and reliable for everyday use, especially for productivity and entertainment. It handles social media, multitasking, and light gaming without issues.
For gaming, my experience with titles like Genshin Impact, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Call of Duty Mobile has been smooth overall. For more demanding games like Genshin Impact, you will need to adjust the graphics settings to minimize frame drops.
In benchmarks, the Nothing Phone (4a) scored 1,149,902 on AnTuTu Benchmark and 11,150 on PCMark Work 3.0, which are solid results for its price segment.
The phone runs on Nothing OS 4.1 based on Android 16 out of the box. As a first-time user, I found the software to be well-optimized, lightweight, and easy to navigate. It feels clean and enjoyable to use.
Battery
The Nothing Phone (4a) is equipped with a 5,080mAh battery. While this is smaller compared to some devices that now offer 6,000mAh or more, the battery life is still quite decent.
In my experience, it can last a full day on a single charge with typical usage. Charging is also relatively fast thanks to its 50W fast charging support. Using a 35W charger, I was able to fully charge the device in about an hour.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone (4a) offers a refreshing experience, especially for first-time users of the brand. While it is not a perfect device, it delivers a well-balanced set of features that will satisfy most users.
It offers a unique design, good camera performance with a distinct look, reliable performance, a solid display, decent battery life, and fast charging. The pricing is also reasonable, making it a good option if you are considering something different from the usual smartphones in this segment.
Nothing Phone (4a) Specifications
- Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 4,500nits max brightness
- CPU: 2.7GHz 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 octa-core processor
- GPU: Adreno 810
- RAM: 8GB, 12GB LPDDR4X
- ROM: 128GB, 256GB UFS3.1
- Rear Camera: 50MP main + 50MP periscope + 8MP ultra-wide + LED flash
- Front Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,080mAh, 50W fast-charging
- OS: NothingOS 4.1, Android 16
- Connectivity: WiFi 6, 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC, GPS
- Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope
- Colors: Black, White, Pink, Blue
- Weight: 205g
- Dimensions: 163.9mm (H) × 77.5mm (W) × 8.5mm (D)
- Others: In-display fingerprint sensor, AI face unlock, USB-C, IP64 rating, Dual speakers
Price and Availability
- 8GB + 128GB: PHP 21,990
- 8GB + 256GB: PHP 24,990
- 12GB + 256GB: PHP 28,990
The Nothing Phone (4a) is now available at Digital Walker and open_source by Beyond the Box stores nationwide, as well as online, with a starting price of PHP 21,990.
