Nothing has recently streamlined its offerings; in January, it announced it wouldn't release a flagship model in 2026, and last month it canceled the CMF Phone 3 Pro. This leaves the (4a) phones and the newly announced (4b) model, a mid-range device.
The Nothing Phone (4b) comes at a lower price than the Nothing Phone (4a), though it is not as affordable as the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite. Below is a price comparison for the 8/128GB versions. Please note the (4b) is available in an 8/256GB configuration exclusively in India.
| Nothing Phone | (3a) Lite | (4b) | (4a) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | €250 | €330 | €350 |
| UK | £250 | £300 | £380 |
| IN | - | ₹35,000 | ₹40,000 |
The price difference between the (4b) and (4a) varies significantly by region; for instance, ₹5,000 equals around €46, making the gap in India comparable to that in the EU. Notably, the Indian version of the (4b) boasts a 6,000mAh battery, whereas the version sold in Europe has a 5,200mAh battery. However, the £80 price difference in the UK might deter potential buyers.
Nothing claims the Phone (4b) is its longest-lasting device. In comparison, the Phone (4a) has a global model with a 5,080mAh battery and a 5,400mAh battery variant for India. We have yet to test the (4b), so we cannot verify this claim.
However, despite its battery life claims, the Nothing Phone (4b) has several drawbacks. Its camera system is inferior to the (4a), equipped with a smaller 50MP sensor in the main camera (1/2.76" vs. 1/1.57") and lacking a telephoto module, which the (4a) features (50MP 3.5x/80mm telephoto camera). The selfie camera also has a lower resolution, at 16MP compared to the 32MP of the (4a).
The (4b) is also less powerful, utilizing the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, which is essentially a down-clocked Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (the chipset used in the (4a)). It comes with LPDDR4X RAM and slower UFS 2.2 storage, compared to the UFS 3.1 found in the (4a).
Nothing Phone (4b) available in White, Black, and Blue
The screen quality is also subpar; while the 6.77" panel is similar in size, it features a lower resolution (1080p+ vs. 1224p+) and reduced brightness (peaking at 2,000 nits vs. 4,500 nits) along with less durable glass (Dragontail Pro Glass vs. Gorilla Glass 7i).
In comparison, other brands offer competitive options. For example, the Poco X8 Pro with an 8/256GB configuration is available for €350, featuring the faster Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset and a larger 6,500mAh battery.
If HyperOS doesn't appeal to you, consider the Samsung Galaxy A57, which is currently priced at €320 for an 8/128GB unit in Europe. It offers a comparable battery size (5,000mAh) along with 6 years of OS updates, far exceeding Nothing's 3 years and Poco's 4 years.
Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro • Samsung Galaxy A57 • Honor Magic8 Lite
If you're looking for a bargain, you can find an 8/256GB Honor Magic8 Lite for under €300. It features the same Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip as the (4b) but is equipped with a 108MP main camera, a 7,500mAh battery, and a high IP69K rating.
What is your opinion on Carl Pei’s latest smartphone? Is the Nothing Phone (4b) something you would consider, or are you looking at alternatives?
Nothing Phone (4a) 5G
| 256GB 8GB RAM | € 389.00 | £ 399.00 |
| 256GB 12GB RAM | € 403.00 | £ 399.00 |
| Show all prices |
