Nothing Phone (4a) Review: Great Value at £349?

Nothing has built a loyal following with phones that look different from everything else, and the Nothing Phone (4a) continues that tradition. It launched in March 2026 starting at £349 in the UK, which is actually cheaper than its predecessor, while adding a real telephoto camera and a tougher screen.

In this review we look at what you get for the money, where it beats rivals like the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56, and where it does not.

Nothing Phone (4a) specs

Design: still the most fun phone at this price

The transparent back and Glyph light bar are the reason many people choose Nothing. The lights can show notifications, charging progress and timers, and you can set different patterns for different contacts, so you know who is calling without looking at the screen. It is genuinely useful when your phone is face down on a desk.

It comes in black, white, blue and pink. The frame is aluminium and the front is now protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, a step up from the previous model. It is a big phone at over 200g, so smaller hands may find it a stretch.

Display

The 6.78-inch AMOLED panel is sharp, colourful and smooth at 120Hz. It gets bright enough for sunny days, and the slim, even bezels make it look more expensive than it is. For streaming and gaming it is one of the nicer screens you can get for under £400.

Performance

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 handles daily tasks smoothly, and Nothing OS is light and well optimised, so the phone feels fast. Popular games run well at sensible settings. It is not a flagship, so very demanding games at maximum settings will push it, but for most people it is more than enough. The 12GB RAM version helps if you keep lots of apps open.

Cameras

The camera setup is the biggest upgrade. The 50MP main camera takes detailed, natural photos in good light and holds up reasonably well indoors. The 50MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom is the standout, because most rivals at this price, including the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56, do not have a proper zoom lens. Portraits, pets and distant details look far better than with digital zoom.

The 8MP ultrawide is the weak spot, with softer detail, especially in low light. The 32MP selfie camera is good for video calls and social media.

Overall, the Pixel 9a still has the edge for low-light photos and the most reliable point-and-shoot results, but the Phone (4a) is more versatile thanks to the zoom.

Battery and charging

The 5,080mAh battery easily lasts a full day for most users. 50W wired charging means a quick top-up is enough to get you through the evening, though you need a compatible charger as one is not included. There is no wireless charging, which is a shame if you already use a charging pad.

Software and updates

Nothing OS 4.1 is close to stock Android with a stylish monochrome look, useful widgets and almost no unwanted apps. Essential Space, Nothing’s AI-powered space for saving notes, screenshots and voice memos, is handy if you like to capture ideas quickly.

The weaker point is support. Nothing promises three major Android upgrades plus security patches for longer. That is fine for a phone you keep for three or four years, but the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 are supported for much longer.

Nothing Phone (4a) vs (4a) Pro

The Phone (4a) Pro starts at £499. It has a faster Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, a slightly larger 144Hz screen, an aluminium back and the Glyph Matrix display from the Nothing Phone (3). It is a nicer phone, but the standard (4a) gives you most of the experience for £150 less, and it keeps the transparent look many fans love.

How it compares with rivals

• Pixel 9a: better for low-light photos and updates, but no zoom lens and slower charging. See is the Pixel 9a worth it in 2026.
• Galaxy A56: better water resistance and longer updates, but no telephoto and a busier interface. See Pixel 9a vs Galaxy A56.

Should you buy the Nothing Phone (4a)?

Buy it if you want a phone that looks unique, has a great screen, charges fast and can actually zoom. It is excellent value at £349. Skip it if you need proper waterproofing, wireless charging or the longest possible update support, because the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 do better there.

Prices and availability were checked in October 2026 and can change at any time.