Phone (3a) Pro vs Phone (4b)
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 1 point overall, so it depends on you: keep phones for years → Phone (4b) (supported until Jul 2032); want maximum speed → Phone (3a) Pro (Snapdragon 7s Gen 3).
Value Score: Phone (3a) Pro 71 · Phone (4b) 72 — 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 cheapest phone yet debuts a new budget b-series with a big battery, a bright 120Hz screen and a surprising six years of security updates for around €329.
Pick it if
- ✓ Budget buyers who still want years of security updates
- ✓ Anyone who wants Nothing's look and clean software for the lowest price
- ✓ Light users who prioritize battery life over speed
Skip it if
- ✗ You want fast charging or strong gaming performance
- ✗ You need an official US or UK model
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
The Phone (3a) Pro's screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.
The Phone (3a) Pro's Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is simply the faster chip.
The Phone (3a) Pro has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
5,200mAh vs 5,000mAh — the Phone (4b) lasts longer between charges.
The Phone (4b) is supported until Jul 2032 — 16 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 (4b) stop getting updates?
Nothing promises three major Android upgrades and six years of security patches from the July 2026 launch, so security coverage extends to about July 2032. A six-year security window on a roughly €329 phone is unusually generous and beats many pricier rivals.
Is the Nothing Phone (4b) worth buying in 2026?
As a budget pick, yes. At about €329 (~$379) with six years of security support, it works out to roughly $5 a month of safe use — outstanding value. Just go in knowing the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 and 33W charging are entry-level; this is a phone for everyday tasks and long life, not gaming.
Full spec table
| Spec | Phone (3a) Pro | Phone (4b) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $429 | $379 |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak | 6.77-inch LTPS AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 2000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4nm) |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired, no wireless | 33W wired, 7.5W reverse, no wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 50MP periscope telephoto 3x, 8MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 163.52 × 77.50 × 8.39 mm | 164.4 × 78.2 × 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 211 g | 210 g |
| Water resistance | IP64 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Mar 2031 | Jul 2032 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.