Coming back in 2026, the Nothing Phone 4a is attracting attention with its distinctive transparent design and Glyph lighting system. Nothing launched its phones with a transparent design and Glyph lighting, and it has since become very popular, as it was, and still is, the first brand to introduce such a design. The Nothing 4a is set to launch on March 5th. People are very excited about this phone. Based on available leaks and reports, it seems to be a slight step up from the earlier Nothing Phone 3a. The company has made significant enhancements to the Glyph lighting, as well as the processor, display, and battery performance.
Many people are excited about the arrival of this phone, but they are also somewhat confused about why. They are unsure whether they should purchase this phone. We will compare the display, camera, battery, and processor performance of the Nothing 4a and the Nothing 3a to determine whether the 4a is just a rumor or if Nothing has introduced any significant upgrades, so we can clearly decide whether it is worth buying.
Table of Contents
Nothing 4a vs Nothing 3a launch date
- The Nothing Phone 3a was launched on March 4, 2025.
- Based on the available information, the Nothing Phone 4a is expected to launch on March 5, 2026.
Nothing 4a vs Nothing 3a Prices in India
- The Nothing Phone 3a has an official price of ₹24,999.
- The Nothing Phone 4a is expected to come with a price tag ranging from ₹25,999 to ₹29,999.
Display & Build Quality
|
Feature
|
Nothing 4a
|
Nothing 3a
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design
|
Transparent Glass Back
|
Transparent Glass Back
|
|
Frame
|
Plastic Frame
|
Plastic Frame
|
|
Lighting
|
New Glyph Bar (9 mini-LEDs, 40% brighter)
|
Standard Glyph Interface
|
|
color
|
Black, White, Blue, Yellow, Pink (expected)
|
|
|
Weight
|
204g
|
201g
|
- Verdict
The Nothing 4a comes with a transparent glass back, much like the Nothing 3a, but it features a plastic frame instead of a metal one. The new Glyph Bar is 40% brighter than the Nothing 3a. It also features an advanced lighting feature for notifications, which is very attractive, making it a great attention-getter. Nearly all aspects are identical, apart from the lighting feature, which is an extra advanced addition that enhances the Nothing Phone 4a.
Display - Bigger & Brighter
|
Feature
|
Nothing 4a
|
Nothing 3a
|
|---|---|---|
|
Size
|
6.78inch
|
6.77-inch
|
|
Type
|
AMOLED, 1B Colours, HDR10+
|
AMOLED Flexible LTPS
|
|
Resolution
|
2392 × 1080 (FHD+)
|
|
|
Refresh Rate
|
120Hz
|
120Hz
|
|
Peak Brightness
|
3000 nits (Expected)
|
3000 nits
|
- Verdict
The display size of the Nothing 4a is nearly identical, based on recent leaks. Thanks to HDR10 support, the display delivers enhanced color quality and better dynamic range. The combination of 1.5K resolution and 3000 nits peak brightness is designed to ensure sharp clarity and an immersive visual experience, even in bright environments. The Nothing 4a is also better in this respect than the Nothing 3a.
Performance & Software: Big Update
|
Feature
|
Nothing 4a
|
Nothing 3a
|
|---|---|---|
|
Processor
|
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
|
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
|
|
RAM
|
8GB / 12GB
|
8GB
|
|
Storage
|
256GB (UFS 3.1)
|
128GB / 256GB
|
|
OS
|
Android 16 + Nothing OS 4.0
|
Android 15 + Nothing OS 3.0
|
|
Updates
|
3 Major Android Updates
|
3 Major Android Updates
|
- Verdict
The processor in the Nothing 4a has been upgraded. The previous Nothing Phone 3a featured the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, while the new Nothing Phone 4a comes equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4. The Nothing 4a’s RAM has been increased from 8GB to 12GB. The Nothing 3a ran Android 15 or OS 3.0, while the Nothing 4a will receive Android 16 or OS 4.0, a new and basic upgrade. When it comes to software support, the device will receive three years of major updates along with four years of security patches. Finally, in my opinion, the Nothing 4a is better than the Nothing 3a. You can see why in the table.
Camera Feature Comparison
|
Feature
|
Nothing 4a
|
Nothing 3a
|
|---|---|---|
|
Main Camera
|
50MP (OIS)
|
50MP (OIS)
|
|
Telephoto
|
50MP (2x Optical Zoom)
|
50MP
|
|
Ultra wide
|
8MP (120°)
|
8MP
|
|
Front Camera
|
32MP
|
32MP
|
|
Video Recording
|
4K@30fps
|
4K@30fps
|
- Verdict
Almost all features are the same, but the Nothing 4a has internal image stabilization and processing features that enhance photos and stabilize videos (as seen from the text). Almost all camera features are present in both.
Battery & Charging: Which is fast charging?
|
Feature
|
Nothing 4a
|
Nothing 3a
|
|---|---|---|
|
Battery
|
5400mAh–6000mAh (Expected)
|
5000mAh
|
|
Charging
|
50W (0–50% in 20 min)
|
Standard Fast Charging
|
|
Wireless Charging
|
No
|
No
|
- Verdict
The Nothing 3a features a 5000mAh battery, whereas the Nothing Phone 4a is expected to come with a 5400mAh to 6000mAh battery, indicating that the Nothing 4a will provide longer battery life than the Nothing 3a. Regarding charging, the Nothing 3a has fast charging, but the Nothing Phone 4a claims (according to leaks) that it will reach 50% charge in 20 minutes, making the Nothing Phone 4a a better choice.
IP Rating & Fingerprint Sensor
|
Feature
|
Nothing 4a
|
Nothing 3a
|
|---|---|---|
|
IP Rating
|
IP64 (Expected)
|
IP 54
|
|
Fingerprint
|
in- display Fingerprint
|
in- display Fingerprint
|
- Verdict
The Nothing Phone 4a is rated IP64, while the Nothing Phone 3a has an IP54 rating. The IP54 rating protects the phone from minor splashes and light dust, whereas the IP64 rating offers enhanced protection against dust and water.
Both phones have an in-display fingerprint sensor. The Nothing 3a works well, but the special thing about the Nothing 4a is that it’s faster and smoother thanks to the new Android 16 and OS 4.0. The Nothing 4a is slightly better than the 3a in both IP rating and fingerprint sensor.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Nothing Phone 3a if:
- you want a basic flagship experience, and your budget is ₹25,000.
Buy the Nothing Phone 4a if:
- you want a slightly larger battery and a brighter display.
- You want the latest software, Android 16, and the latest processor.
- You like its glyph lighting and want to upgrade to the new glyph lighting.
Final Verdict
Priced under ₹25,000, the Nothing Phone 3a delivers dependable performance along with a smooth and enjoyable user experience in the mid-range category.
If the rumors surrounding the Nothing Phone 4a turn out to be true, it could emerge as a solid mid-range option in 2026, offering an improved display, a bigger battery, a more powerful processor, and updated software.
For buyers with a budget below ₹26,000, this device is definitely worth considering.
FAQ's
Nothing Phone 4a vs 3a, which is better?
The Nothing Phone 4a is better because it is an upgrade to the Nothing phone, with an upgraded processor, better display, a 120Hz 1.5K AMOLED display, a 50MP camera, and a slight upgrade from the 3a.
Nothing phone 4a vs 3a price?
- The Nothing Phone 4a is expected to cost 25,000-30,000 rupees.
- The Nothing Phone 3a is priced at 24,999 rupees.
Nothing Phone 4a vs 3a camera?
The cameras on both the Nothing Phone 4a and 3a are roughly the same. The Nothing 3a has a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 32MP front camera. The Nothing 4a also has the same features, but this is not yet confirmed. Confirmation will come after the launch on March 5th.
Nothing upcoming Phone 4a?
Nothing Phone 4a is coming and is going to be launched on 5th March, which is coming with some new features, its camera, processor, display, software are all upgrades from the old phone Nothing 3a.