Nothing Phone (4a) Pro

♡

5th best phone of 2026 (~$499)

GSMCritic Take: With its Glyph Matrix system and telephoto-enabled camera, the phone offers unique style and flexible photography options, though the usefulness of both the Glyph and zoom features can be inconsistent.

6.83-inch

210g

8mm

50W

not waterproof

Click to open full specs on GSMArena.com:

* Screen covers 93.9% of body.

Reviews

Overall phone rating and the reviews that impact it.

1st review by

6th review by

2nd review by

GSMCritic Score

100

5th review by

3rd review by

4th review by

* how the score is calculated?

Last update: 2026-04-04

Pros

Camera

Reliable Main Camera: The main camera delivers consistent point-and-shoot results and performs well in favorable conditions.

Telephoto Lens Included: The presence of a telephoto lens adds versatility, especially for daylight photography.

Performance

Solid Everyday Performance: The processor delivers snappy and responsive performance in daily use with improved capability over previous versions.

Design

Premium Metal Build: The device features a solid and carefully assembled metal unibody construction that delivers a distinctly premium and durable feel.

Stylish Unique Design: The phone offers a unique and unconventional aesthetic with a recognizable design language that stands out visually.

Display

High-Quality AMOLED Display: The large AMOLED panel is bright, expansive, and supports HDR, providing a high-quality visual experience.

Very High Refresh Rate: The display operates at a very high refresh rate, delivering a fluid, fast, and highly responsive experience.

Battery

Excellent Battery Life: Battery performance is frequently described as excellent and improved over prior iterations, supporting extended use.

Software

Strong Thermal Management: The device maintains good thermal control, preventing undesirable heat buildup during sustained usage.

Clean Android Experience: The software provides a clean, uncluttered Android interface without unnecessary additions.

Distinctive Nothing OS: Nothing OS introduces a unique visual style and AI-driven elements that differentiate the interface.

Glyph Matrix Integration: The Glyph Matrix system offers a unique combination of visual identity and functional notification features.

Fun and Useful Glyph Features: The Glyph system remains engaging and sometimes genuinely useful in practical scenarios.

Cons

Camera

Inconsistent Camera Performance: The camera system does not deliver consistent results across different zoom levels and shooting conditions.

Limited Zoom Range: The overall zoom capability of the camera system is somewhat restricted.

Weak Video Capabilities: Video recording falls behind competitors in both quality and feature set.

Design

Unmet Industrial Design Expectations: The design may not fully satisfy expectations for a more industrial styling direction.

Lower Ingress Protection: The device has a weaker ingress protection rating (IP65) compared to competing models.

Battery

Inconsistent Battery Longevity: Battery life does not always meet estimated endurance expectations despite generally strong performance.

Average Charging Speeds: Charging performance remains average for its class and does not offer faster alternatives.

No Wireless Charging: The device lacks wireless charging support, reducing convenience.

Price

Price Too Close to Competitors: Pricing is positioned close to more capable competing devices.

Software

Mid-Tier Performance Ceiling: Performance does not significantly exceed expectations and remains aligned with mid-tier positioning.

Underdeveloped AI Features: Some AI-driven elements in the software feel underdeveloped and not fully realized.

Limited Software Support: The device offers a limited number of Android updates and constrained long-term software commitment.

Low-Resolution Glyph System: The Glyph Matrix is implemented at a lower resolution.

Inconsistent Glyph Practicality: The usefulness of the Glyph system is not consistent across all scenarios.

Reduced Glyph Functionality: Some Glyph features are reduced compared to earlier expectations and lack support for elements like Glyph Toys.

Storage

Low Base Storage: The storage configuration starts at a relatively modest baseline.

Connectivity

No eSIM on Some Markets: Certain versions of the device do not include eSIM support.

Rankings

The Best Phone Of 2026: #5

The Highest Optical Zoom Of 2026: #4

The Largest Screen Size Of 2026: #4

The Smallest Screen Size Of 2026: #13

The Lightest Phone Of 2026: #13

The Thinnest Phone Of 2026: #8

The Fastest Charging Speed Of 2026: #14

The Highest Screen To Body Ratio Of 2026: #1

The Cheapest Phone Of 2026: #7