Phone (4a) 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 (4a) Pro (Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4).
Value Score: Phone (4a) 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 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
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 (4a) Pro's screen is the better one — 6.83-inch amoled, 1.5k, 144hz, hdr10+, 5000 nits peak, gorilla glass 7i.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
The Phone (4a) Pro has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
The Phone (4b) is supported until Jul 2032 — 4 months longer than the Phone (4a) Pro.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
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.
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 (4a) Pro | Phone (4b) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $449 | $379 |
| Display | 6.83-inch AMOLED, 1.5K, 144Hz, HDR10+, 5000 nits peak, Gorilla Glass 7i | 6.77-inch LTPS AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 2000 nits peak |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4nm) |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 5,080 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired, no wireless | 33W wired, 7.5W reverse, no wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 50MP periscope 3.5x, 50MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.6 × 8.0 mm | 164.4 × 78.2 × 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 210 g | 210 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Mar 2032 | 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.