A New Tier of Affordability
Nothing has officially unveiled the Phone (4b), marking the debut of a new category of cost-effective devices positioned below the Phone (4a). Priced at £299 (€329), the smartphone aims to provide a premium experience without the premium price tag, catering to users who prioritize style alongside functional hardware.
Design and Display
The device retains the brand's iconic aesthetic, featuring a transparent rear design and the signature Glyph Bar. Its unibody construction mirrors that of the Phone (4a) Pro, while the polycarbonate build comes in blue, white, and black colorways. Notably, the phone carries an IP64 rating, ensuring improved resistance against dust and water ingress.
The front is dominated by a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel that boasts a fluid 120Hz refresh rate. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and HDR 10+ support, it provides a high-quality visual experience for its price point.
Performance and Thermal Management
Under the hood, the Phone (4b) is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor. This chip is designed to balance power efficiency with sufficient performance for modern on-device AI tasks. To maintain stability during demanding activities, Nothing has integrated a vapour chamber cooling system. The manufacturer claims this setup allows for sustained performance, enabling titles like Call of Duty Mobile to run at 90fps without significant thermal throttling.
Battery and Camera Capabilities
Powering the device is a 5,200mAh battery, currently the largest capacity found in any Nothing smartphone to date. The company estimates up to 18 hours of real-world usage, supported by 33W fast charging.
In terms of optics, the rear array features:
- A 50-megapixel main sensor capable of 4K 30fps video recording.
- An 8-megapixel ultrawide lens for broader perspectives.
Furthermore, the software includes a dual-capture mode, allowing users to record video using both front and rear cameras simultaneously.
Software Support and Market Availability
A notable compromise in this budget segment is the software update policy. The Nothing Phone (4b) will receive three years of major OS support, while security patches are guaranteed for up to six years. While this ensures long-term protection against vulnerabilities, users should not expect feature updates beyond the three-year mark.
The device will face competition from models like the OnePlus Nord CE5 and the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion. Sales for the Nothing Phone (4b) commence on July 17, with early drops beginning July 11, alongside the launch of the new Nothing Ear (3a) earbuds.
