I think expectations are getting a bit unrealistic here. A metal frame on a mid-range phone is honestly wishful thinking, and I’m not fully convinced about a flagship level camera either. At best, we’re looking at a slight upgrade or even a sidegrade from the 3a.
People forget how expensive things have gotten lately. A true flagship camera setup alone would push the price up, and with the current RAM and storage price hikes, it just doesn’t add up. Same with a high IP rating… proper water resistance costs money, and Nothing will have to cut corners somewhere to keep the phone around ₹35k ($350).
If you stack all these “flagship” expectations together — metal frame, top-tier camera, Qualcomm chip, high IP rating — you’re basically asking for a phone that can’t exist at this price. Just look at the competition. The Redmi Note 15 Pro comes with a 7s Gen 4 and is expected to cost ₹38–40k. Even Nord 5 had to cut features due to RAM pricing and is still sitting close to ₹40k.
Carl has addressed this kind of criticism multiple times too. Whenever reviewers or YouTubers point out missing features, he usually responds by saying to look at it from the customer’s POV at that price range. You can’t expect everything without paying more. if they add all those features, the price would jump significantly.
Realistically, I’m expecting a plastic frame and back like the 2a series, a minor camera upgrade or sidegrade from the 3a, Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 / even MediaTek again, which wouldn’t surprise me, UFS 3.1 storage, and mostly the same display and RAM type. Pricing around ₹35k for the 4a, and maybe ₹38–40k for a Plus or Pro variant.
Anything beyond that sounds great on paper, but I just don’t see it happening in reality.
