20 days using Phone (4a) - What's the point?

Palmix 🇮🇹

So, I start saying that I really like the design of this phone. But there’s something that I can’t understand.

Colour

I don’t like black colour. I don’t know why Nothing abandoned the dark gray from Phone (2). Since then, we have this really deep black… We can’t see anything 😭 Sometimes even with sunlight it’s difficult, because you see reflections.

I guess some people will love having a more “subtle” and “incognito” smartphone. For me it’s a pity! I have always been a dark product user, but this is too much, so white and blue are my favorites.

Buttons

YES, thank you for changing the button positions. I always hated it on Phone (2) and other devices, because I constantly took accidental screenshots. That’s because sometimes, when it’s on the desktop, I place my hand like a claw to turn off the smartphone and… screenshot!

Also, we stop taking accidental screenshots with Essential Space too! I personally don’t find it difficult to access with one hand

Bloatware

We have Meta apps already preinstalled, so Instagram and Facebook. Fortunately, you can easily delete them! But it’s important to highlight it.

Body

Plastic, and there are two main problems:

Fingerprints and dust. Surely the dark color also increases this problem.
If it falls outside, it deforms really badly, it looks like something ate it! This is how Phone (3a) Pro ended up, so take careful!

Despite this, I love this design. If only I could see it between all this dark… 🤣 I’m kidding. I mean, it’s true, but I love this design in the other colors. It’s so great, balanced, sci-fi but still elegant!

Display

It seems a little bit brighter than 4a Pro, curiously. We have really huge corners, but in the black version this increases because optically it feels bigger than in other colors (consider that it’s maybe near to 1 mm less noticeable in another color).

Curious how in video games you see them in lower quality compared with Phone (3). Same game (Diablo Immortal), same specs, but it was more pixelated than Phone (3).

Camera

As I said in my first impressions, I don’t think it’s something revolutionary. Definitely, if you have a 3a series, you can wait.

I like them. As always, it’s you who makes the difference, not the camera!

Photos are sharper than Phone (3), which has more of a “dreamy” style. However, I don’t like that macro is shot by the main camera instead of the telephoto. Also, you can’t find it in the menu — you have to zoom in (at least x2) for it to appear, but it instantly switches to the main camera. I didn’t like that because the quality isn’t like Phone (3). Which makes sense because that is a flagship and (4a) is mid-range.

Don’t misinterpret me, it’s a really good result, it just feels like it doesn’t use its full potential.

Glyphs

I really appreciate how the glyphs are evolving, like Pokémons!

They’re really bright, and I love that they’re now square.

I also love that this mid-range series has the red LED for recording. That didn’t happen with the (3a) serie!

Details

It’s really appreciated to have a cover included! This apparently happens with every Nothing Phone, and it’s not to be underestimated. Obviously, it’s a cheap cover, but it’s perfect. Personally, I’m the kind of person who doesn’t want to spend more than €10 on a cover, because I love using my smartphone without one!

Conclusion

I’m perplexed about this model. Let me explain:

With the (3a) series there was a main difference between (3a) and (3a) Pro: the zoom camera. In (3a) the max lossless zoom was x4 and in (3a) Pro it was x7.

But this time, between (4a) and (4a) Pro there’s the same camera zoom, just a little bit of difference in darkness / contrast. But (4a) Pro is more premium, has the matrix and all that, but with 150€ more. In addition, (4a) has bigger display corners…

So my question is: who wants to buy this instead of the (4a) Pro?

I think maybe if you’re not interested at all in the Glyph Matrix, or you prefer this unique design and don’t mind the big corners, it’s a great device! In the end, we have the same good telephoto as the Pro, so it’s a great choice! But only if you need to upgrade from your Phone (1) or Phone (2)!

I’ll read your thought in the comment! 👇🏻 Do you prefer (4a) or (4a) Pro?

PREET AJMERI

Palmix 🇮🇹 Enjoyed reading the review, nailed it! I completely agree that the black color feels a bit too deep. I personally love showing off the design of the phone, but the black kind of overshadows those details, and it’s the same case with the 3a Pro. I feel they could’ve gone with a grey or even a darker grey like the Phone 2, as you suggested. I’d personally lean towards the 4a because it offers better value for money and truly sticks to that “Nothing” feel, though I still really like the 4a Pro as well.

Nicky0078

Palmix 🇮🇹

Hello there!!!

First of all, thank you for your time and shared impressions. I always prefer to follow such opinions than “high-tech” reviews, behind which there is always a big PR lurking… I have a 2a and a Pixel 6a, why I have both is an old story that I wrote about somewhere in the depths of this forum, so I won’t repeat myself. I read a lot about the Nothing brand, but still, personally, I can’t decide when the time comes whether to repeat with a new model, or to trust Google with all its pros and cons…

Sgnoogle

Hey Sonya!

You know how much I appreciate your approach to tech: it’s honest, transparent (loved the bit about Meta services), and it’s clear you’ve actually lived with the product.

BUT, I have to respectfully disagree on your conclusion. Despite the “aesthetic” trade-offs, this phone feels just as capable as the Phone (4a) Pro, which costs €150 more. The standard (4a) is the true “best buy” here. Once you hit that €500 range, the Pro faces much stiffer competition from Chinese brands on performance and others (Pixel?) on software.

To me, the (4a) is THE insane deal.
I’ve been using it for nearly a month and I’m actually loving it more than my Phone (3) because the battery life is just incredible.

Palmix 🇮🇹

Sgnoogle Hey, huge thank you for your comment, I always appreciate your feedback! 😍 Actually, I think I didn’t explain me very well!

I’m perplexed because, unlike the previous series, this time there isn’t a clear difference that really sets the Pro apart from the regular model.

That said, I have to admit that the Pro won me over in terms of handling, the slim corners like the Phone (3), and the Matrix feature (even if maybe a bit low quality). But in the end, this one, at €150 less, offers the same as the Pro, so having the same substance for less (and we can say, without losing the essence of Nothing like the Pro sometimes does) makes it obviously a best buy.

That’s why I say it’s for people who aren’t interested in the Glyph Matrix or the Apple/Xiaomi/Samsung-like aesthetics…

Reading your thoughts, though, it’s true that the Pro competes in a market space that’s a bit too tight for having the same battery as always, the same telephoto zoom as the regular version, and just a Matrix screen.

I guess it’s a marketing strategy to attract iPhone or similar users, justifying the price while offering a more “refined” design.

Thanks again for your comment, it’s always a pleasure to exchange opinions with you! 😁

Palmix 🇮🇹

PREET AJMERI Thank you!! Hope for the next series we’ll have dark grey!! And yeah, for 150€ less than pro and the same specs… Definitely

Alkid Shuli

Great and honest review, wouldn’t change anything. I do agree about the black colour, felt kinda the same with the Phone (3)

huttonstephen5

Personally, I agree with everyone’s comments and reviews. I own the grey 3a Pro and love it, so for me the 4a is the true Nothing upgrade in everyway. Executed well and perfectly designed, although not in the right colours for me. The 4a Pro whilst a nice design, will possibly end up like the 3, a financial mistake. It simply is not a Nothing device, like the 3 it belongs in the CMF family, but at a lower price. I personally have no interest in a Matrix or the metal body…….then again, I also have no interest in selfie cameras remove them altogether. Just my personal thoughts.

Palmix 🇮🇹

Nicky0078 Thank you! Hahahah don’t worry, I use two smartphones too! I made a YT video about it, in my case is because in one device, I have social media and it’s the “lose time” smartphone, and the other one to focus in.

In the end, I think it’s really personally, Google is making really nice devices, very solid and fluid OS… If you have a 2a and you’re happy with, stay there! Maybe you can wait for the next serie or maybe, buy the (4a) next year when prices will decrease a little bit
I think Nothing OS has its pros and cons, but I’m happy with!