Product test
Nothing Phone (3a) tested: a telephoto camera for the mid-range smartphone
by Jan Johannsen
Improved operation and a longer focal length: review of the Nothing Phone (4a)
5.3.2026
Translation: Natalie McKay
Pictures: Jan Johannsen
Simplified design and subtle improvements to the features: Nothing takes its Phone (4a) to the next level. Despite the price increase, it remains an attractive mid-range smartphone.
The focal length of the telephoto camera’s been extended, the light-up display on the rear panel’s been simplified, and the Essential Key can no longer be confused with the power button. It’s the little things like these that elevate the Nothing Phone (4a) above the level of its predecessor.
Something special: this is where the Phone (4a)’s been improved
Nothing hasn’t reinvented its tried-and-tested design, but the Phone (4a) still stands out from the sea of mass-market smartphones. Compared to its predecessor, the manufacturer’s tidied things up a bit, and removed some details from the back of the phone. New metal elements have been added – around the camera and on the buttons. If classic black and white isn’t your thing, Nothing now also offers two new colours – pink and blue.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The buttons have been significantly improved: the Essential Key’s been moved to the other side, so there’s a much smaller risk of confusing it with the power button. Among other functions, this button can be used to create screenshots or voice memos, which the smartphone stores in Essential Space. This is where an AI program sorts them and makes them searchable.
The Glyph Bar acts as a light-up display on the Phone (4a)’s rear panel. This element has been one of Nothing’s hallmarks since the beginning, but it’s constantly evolving.
In the new model, the Glyph Bar consists of six squares housing a total of 63 mini LEDs. It signals incoming calls, notifications or the progress of certain taxi or delivery services. The reduced number of elements also makes it easier to create your own light patterns for specific contacts or apps.
Telephoto camera with extended focal length
You don’t often see a telephoto camera priced at around 400 francs or euros. So it’s all the more remarkable that Nothing’s increased the focal length compared to its predecessor. Instead of twice the focal length of the main camera, the 50-megapixel periscope camera provides 3.5 times the focal length – i.e. 80 millimetres compared to 24 millimetres KB equivalent. The other cameras remain unchanged.
The main advantage is I can get closer to subjects without any loss of quality. Like this framed work by a street artist.
When it gets dark, the telecamera’s night mode really comes into its own. The image quality is better than that of its predecessor, which struggled in the dark.
The battery capacity’s been increased by 80 mAh to 5,080 mAh, while the charging power still reaches a maximum of 50 watts. But it still can’t be charged wirelessly.
I’ll provide the exact figure for the battery life later. Based on my experience so far, I don’t expect any major changes compared to the previous model. Good: the Phone (4a)’s battery should, in theory, still have at least 90 per cent of its capacity after 1,200 charging cycles.
Nothing special: this is where the Phone (4a)’s still just as good
Some aspects of the Nothing Phone (4a) have hardly changed compared to its predecessor, or seem a little boring – but that doesn’t automatically make them bad.
The size of the AMOLED display remains 6.77 inches. The Phone (4a) has a higher resolution of 2,720 × 1,224 pixels, and achieves a brightness of 1,600 nits in outdoor mode, an increase of 300 nits. The typical brightness remains unchanged at 800 nits. The refresh rate now automatically adjusts to a value between 30 and 120 hertz. But these improvements don’t make much difference in my day-to-day life.
Nothing continues to use Panda Glass 1681 for the protective glass on the back. The front’s Gorilla Glass 7i, which is supposed to be more scratch-resistant than its predecessor. It still boasts IP64 certification, i.e. protection against dust and splash water. Nothing even promises that the phone (4a) will survive being submerged in 25 centimetres of water for 20 minutes. There’s no rated protection class for this. The usual rule of thumb applies: the smartphone isn’t intended for use under water, but should survive a short, accidental dunking.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 has slightly more power than the third generation of the Phone (3a). In initial benchmark tests, I see an increase in CPU and GPU computing power in the mid-single-digit percentage range – measurable, but hardly noticeable in everyday use. The cooling chamber, which has grown by 600 mm² to 4,600 mm², stops the phone overheating. The change in memory speed to UFS 3.1’s another positive. This means data’s written and read faster compared to the predecessor with UFS 2.2.
Tried-and-tested cameras continue to deliver stunning photos
Apart from the aforementioned telephoto lens, the camera system of the Phone (4a) remains unchanged. The predecessor already delivered high-quality images, so this isn’t a problem.
The main camera uses the Samsung GN9 with a nominal resolution of 50 megapixels. The finished images boast a resolution of 12.5 megapixels. With pixel binning, multiple pixels are combined together. This is intended to increase light sensitivity for improved image quality and reduce the size of the image files.
The level of detail’s high, the colour reproduction’s pleasingly natural, and the camera generally copes with strong contrasts without any issues.
On vacation, you can take wonderful snapshots with the Phone (4a).
Just one thing: the camera had minor issues with the church windows on the other side. The sun was shining in there, causing some areas to be overexposed.
Always activate night mode when it’s dark.
There’s no need for pixel binning with the ultra-wide-angle camera. Its resolution is low at just eight megapixels. But the images are good enough to use on the smartphone or for social media.
When it gets dark, even night mode can’t save the ultra-wide-angle camera. As with the previous model, the image quality’s lacking.
The front-facing camera uses a 32-megapixel image sensor, meaning it can deliver detailed selfies in daylight. At least as far as my face’s concerned. The background becomes a bit blurred in the London fog, a realistic rendering of the situation.
The difference between this phone and expensive models becomes clear in night mode. The selfie I took with the Phone (4a) remains pixelated. For a higher price tag, you get more detailed selfies at night.
New AI tools for NothingOS
The phone comes pre-installed with NothingOS 4.1, based on Android 16. Alongside visual changes to the Nothing design, the user interface comes with its own apps and AI tools.
But the main new features aren’t yet available at launch, and won’t be released until an update in a few weeks’ time. The Relaxation Hub’s a widget designed to promote relaxation with calm background music and breathing exercises. Essential Voice uses AI to convert your speech into well-structured texts.
Nothing’s gallery app’s been given its own AI tool, and tries to remove reflections and pedestrians from photos. In my tests, it struggles to tackle reflections, while the AI fills the empty space created by erasing pedestrians in surprising ways. Sometimes it fits well into the picture, sometimes it’s immediately obvious that an AI program was at work. But at least it recognises people reliably. I’m more excited about the seven frames that add information to my photos and make them look stylish.
There are also various AI tools that Nothing brings together under the term Essential. Alongside the Essential Space I already covered, there’s a search or Memory. This feature creates automatic reminders for appointments, purchases or anything else that catches its eye based on your screenshots. The Essential Recorder converts sound recordings into text and summarises them. You can capture important moments with the Essential Key. This feature analyses 300 minutes per month.
The Essential App Builder’s designed to provide you with AI apps tailored to your needs. If you’re happy with them, you can make them available to others in the Playground. But so far, I’ve only been playing around with it to test it out.
There are two catches with the software: Nothing provides security updates for six years, but function updates are only available for three years. It doesn’t end there – Nothing’s started pre-installing third-party apps on the Phone (4a). TikTok, Instagram and Facebook can be uninstalled with one click, but in the past the manufacturer wasn’t paid for them.
Bad special: prices are rising
Nothing’s not immune from the current price leaps for all sizes of memory. The manufacturer’s increased the price of the 128-gigabyte model. Company founder Carl Pei had announced this measure back at the start of the year. If you’re hoping things might be different at other manufacturers, you’ll be disappointed. They’re also raising their prices or cancelling their planned low-cost models for the time being, if the rumours behind the scenes at the MWC are to be believed.
The recommended retail price for the Phone (4a)’s 349 euros and 329 francs, or 429 euros and 409 francs, depending on the memory. Still affordable, but the Phone (3a) started at 329 euros and 299 francs a year ago, and is currently available at a slightly lower price.
The other special: the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
Together with the Phone (4a), Nothing presented the Pro version of the smartphone. For this model, Nothing’s using a unibody metal case for the first time. Its display’s somewhat larger, its hardware offers slightly better performance, and it’s a little more water-resistant with IP65. As with the current top model, the Phone (3), there’s a round Glyph Matrix with 137 mini LEDs on the back, not just a bar with six LEDs.
Plus, only the Phone (4a) Pro supports eSIM. With the standard version, you have to insert a SIM card. This year, Nothing’s also offering the Pro version with just eight gigabytes of RAM to keep the price low. The recommended retail price is still 50 euros higher than its predecessor, starting at 479 euros and 429 francs. More memory will set you back an extra 70 euros or francs.
In a nutshell
Still feature-rich without breaking the bank, despite the price bump
Even with its higher price tag, the Nothing Phone (4a) remains an affordable mid-tier smartphone, boasting good features and an eye-catching design. Other models with a telephoto camera will set you back far more.
The main and telephoto cameras offer good image quality. The ultra-wide-angle camera does the job, but the front and ultra-wide-angle cameras struggle in the dark. The Phone (4a)’s display is a triumph, and its performance will get you by in everyday use. The smartphone also supports wireless charging – about time!
But you have to do without an eSIM with the (4a), and Nothing only provides function updates for three years. Still, security updates are available for six years. Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s starting to pre-install third-party apps.
Pro
- Telephoto camera in this price range
- Six years of security updates
- 6 years of security updates
Contra
- No eSIM and no wireless charging
- Ultra-wide-angle camera not good in the dark
- Three years of function updates
Header image: Jan Johannsen
Jan Johannsen
Senior Editor
Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.deAs a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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