Since its announcement earlier this month, my anticipation for the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro has only grown. After using it as my daily driver for a week, I’m thoroughly impressed with the device.
Nothing has carved out a somewhat divisive position in the smartphone landscape, yet it seems to excel in the mid-range segment. The A-series from Nothing has been among my top picks in recent years, and the Phone (4a) Pro might just surpass them all thanks to its evolution.
Design and Build
Starting with the hardware, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro departs from the brand’s signature transparency, featuring a sleek “window” at the top of the display that mimics an iPhone-like aesthetic. The rest of the back is made of aluminum with a matte finish. I initially doubted this design shift, but I’ve come to appreciate the feel of a fully metal phone. The look is still unique, maintaining the quirky charm typical of Nothing, but feels less ostentatious.
Functionality and Performance
While the hardware impresses, there are a couple of drawbacks: the phone is unexpectedly heavy, and the absence of wireless charging can be inconvenient. I’ve adapted by using an adhesive magnet on the case for mounting it in my car and keeping my wallet attached when out and about.
The core features of the phone are also commendable, with a bright and vivid display. However, the auto-brightness function can be inconsistent with the current software version. The audio quality from the speakers is remarkable, offering rich depth and significant volume, which is often underrated in smartphones.
Battery and Processing Power
Battery life has been impressive as well. I typically get through a whole day without dropping below 40%, and the rapid 50W wired USB-PD charging has made me accustomed to topping it off during the day instead of overnight charging. Performance has generally been excellent, powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, notably quicker due to the upgrade to UFS 3.1. While it competes well with the Phone (3) in most tasks, there can be occasional lags in social apps.
Camera Insights
The new Glyph Matrix continues to feel somewhat negligible, serving as an always-on display with limited functionality, and it quickly scratched the pre-installed screen protector. However, I haven’t tested the camera extensively enough to provide a complete assessment, although early results are promising with consistent performance from Nothing’s image processing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after a week with the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, I can say I’m thoroughly impressed. It isn’t positioned as a flagship, nor does it aim to be a “flagship killer,” but it occupies a role similar to that of a Pixel phone, providing all the essential features while excelling in the basics. Nothing isn’t releasing a traditional flagship this year, and honestly, they may not need to.
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is currently available for pre-order in the US with shipping starting on March 27, priced at $499 for the 8GB/128GB variation. I’m testing the higher 12/256GB version, which is also the only option available in pink.
Stay tuned for a comprehensive review coming soon.
