Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Review: A Close Second

Thanks to the RAM crisis, it's a weird moment for smartphones. Samsung increased the prices of its new midrange and flagship phones, and Motorola recently debuted its Moto G Stylus 2026 with a higher price. Some phone makers are trying to keep spec changes to a minimum without raising the MSRP, like Google's Pixel 10a, which is nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor.

London-based Nothing isn't immune to these woes; its new Phone (4a) Pro costs $499, a small bump from last year's Phone (3a) Pro, now rivaling the Moto G Stylus 2026, Pixel 10a, and Galaxy A57. I have been using it for nearly a month, and I've been quite happy with it. It's not my first choice if my budget is $500, but it's a close second, and I'm glad there are still some options for US customers who are increasingly facing limited choices in the market. I am focusing on the Phone (4a) Pro in this review rather than the cheaper Phone (4a), which isn't sold in the US.

Space Age

Nothing gave the Pro model of its midrange A-series phones a fresh look this year, which is a good thing, as the last entry was very top-heavy with a chunky camera bump. It's a little more tasteful here, though still dazzingly unique like most Nothing products. There's a distinct space-age feel here with the colors, bulbous glass, and the Glyph Matrix—the tiny circular display borrowed from the Nothing Phone (3).