Phone (3a) Pro vs Phone (4a) Pro
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 0 points overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → Phone (4a) Pro (supported until Mar 2032); want maximum speed → Phone (3a) Pro (Snapdragon 7s Gen 3).
Value Score: Phone (3a) Pro 71 · Phone (4a) Pro 71 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
Nothing's most camera-capable mid-ranger, with a true periscope zoom and a high-res selfie cam wrapped in its iconic transparent shell.
Pick it if
- ✓ Mid-range buyers who want serious zoom reach
- ✓ Selfie and content creators wanting a high-res front camera
- ✓ Fans of Nothing's transparent design language
Skip it if
- ✗ You want wireless charging or flagship-level raw speed
- ✗ You only need a basic camera and want to spend less
Nothing's first mid-ranger sold in the US pairs a triple 50MP camera, a metal unibody and a bright 144Hz screen with a solid 3-OS/6-year update promise for $499 or less.
Pick it if
- ✓ US buyers who want a distinctive design and a real zoom lens for under $500
- ✓ Photography-minded users who value the triple 50MP setup
- ✓ People who want six years of patches without paying flagship money
Skip it if
- ✗ You want the maximum number of OS upgrades for your money
- ✗ You need wireless charging or top-tier gaming performance
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
Both displays are effectively the same class.
The Phone (3a) Pro's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is simply the faster chip.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
The Phone (4a) Pro is supported until Mar 2032 — 12 months longer than the Phone (3a) Pro.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between the Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro?
The Pro upgrades the telephoto to a 50MP periscope with 3x optical zoom (versus 2x on the standard model) and adds a 50MP front camera, while keeping the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, display and 5000mAh battery.
How far can the Phone (3a) Pro zoom?
Its periscope camera offers 3x optical zoom and up to 60x ultra zoom using sensor crop and AI processing, well beyond what most phones at this price can manage.
When does the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro stop getting updates?
Nothing promises three major Android upgrades and six years of security patches from the March 2026 launch, so security coverage runs to about March 2032. The OS side ends sooner — around Android 19 — but the long security tail keeps the phone safe to use well into the early 2030s.
Is the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro worth buying in 2026?
Yes, especially in the US, where at $499 (frequently $449) with six years of security support it works out to roughly $7 a month of safe use. The triple 50MP camera and metal build are unusually premium for the price. The main caveat is the three-OS-upgrade limit, shorter than some rivals.
Full spec table
| Spec | Phone (3a) Pro | Phone (4a) Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $429 | $449 |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak | 6.83-inch AMOLED, 1.5K, 144Hz, HDR10+, 5000 nits peak, Gorilla Glass 7i |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB/12GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,080 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired, no wireless | 50W wired, no wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 50MP periscope telephoto 3x, 8MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 50MP periscope 3.5x, 50MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 163.52 × 77.50 × 8.39 mm | 163.7 × 76.6 × 8.0 mm |
| Weight | 211 g | 210 g |
| Water resistance | IP64 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Mar 2031 | Mar 2032 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.