Is the Nothing Phone 4b the Same as or an Advancement Over the Nothing Phone 4a?

Is the Nothing Phone 4b the Same as or an Advancement Over the Nothing Phone 4a?

Nothing is expanding its smartphone portfolio once again with the launch of the Nothing Phone 4b. The company has confirmed that the Nothing Phone 4b will launch in India on July 7, making it one of the most anticipated mid-range smartphones of the year. Alongside the standard variant, the company is also expected to introduce a special RCB edition, giving fans a unique design inspired by the popular cricket franchise.

The new Nothing Phone 4b mobile phone aims to deliver a premium experience without entering flagship pricing. It introduces a refreshed design, the signature Glyph bar, reliable performance, and competitive hardware while keeping the price lower than the Nothing Phone 4a.

But does it actually offer better value, or is the Phone 4a still the smarter purchase? In this comparison, we’ll examine the 4b specifications, performance, camera, battery, display, design, and pricing to help you decide which model suits your needs.

Nothing Phone 4b vs Nothing Phone 4a Specifications

FeatureNothing Phone 4bNothing Phone 4a
LaunchJuly 7 (India)Available
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
Approx. AnTuTu Score833,247Around 850,000+
Display6.7-inch AMOLED6.78-inch AMOLED
Resolution1224 × 2340 pixels1224 × 2720 pixels
Refresh Rate120Hz120Hz
Rear Camera50MP + 8MP Ultra-wide50MP + 50MP Telephoto + 8MP Ultra-wide
Front Camera8MP32MP
Battery5,400mAh5,400mAh
Fast Charging33W50W
Reverse ChargingYesYes
Operating SystemAndroid 16 with Nothing OSAndroid 16 with Nothing OS
Water ResistanceIP64/IP65IP64/IP65
Weight205 grams204 grams
Fingerprint SensorIn-displayIn-display
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.45G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4
Starting Price₹25,999₹34,999

Design: Signature Nothing Look Continues

Nothing has maintained its distinctive transparent-inspired design language with the Phone 4b.. One of the biggest highlights is the Glyph bar, which continues to provide customizable LED notifications, charging indicators, timer animations, and app alerts. All Nothing smartphones feature the signature Glyph Bar, making it a familiar design element rather than a new addition.

Unlike traditional smartphone designs, the Phone (4b) blends a unibody design and clear camera bump, giving it a cleaner and more premium appearance. The camera module integrates naturally into the rear panel while maintaining the brand’s iconic visual identity.

The expected RCB edition could introduce exclusive color accents, customized wallpapers, and special packaging, making it attractive for collectors and cricket enthusiasts.

Performance: Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 Delivers Balanced Power

The Nothing Phone 4b mobile phone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset. Although it sits below the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 used in the Phone 4a, it still delivers dependable everyday performance for multitasking, streaming, gaming, and social media.

The Nothing Phone 4b AnTuTu scored approximately 833247, indicating strong mid-range performance suitable for most users. While benchmark numbers slightly favor the Phone 4a, real-world usage differences are relatively minor for regular users.

Daily activities such as:

  • Web browsing
  • Video streaming
  • Social media
  • Casual gaming
  • Productivity apps

It runs smoothly thanks to the optimized Android 16-based Nothing OS.

If your primary focus is high-end gaming or intensive multitasking, the Phone 4a maintains a small advantage due to its more powerful chipset.

Display: Smooth AMOLED Experience

When comparing nothing 4b specifications, both smartphones feature high-quality AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Nothing Phone 4b

  • 6.7-inch AMOLED
  • 1224 × 2340 resolution
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • HDR10+ support
  • High peak brightness
  • Nothing Phone 4a
  • 6.78-inch AMOLED
  • 1224 × 2720 resolution
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • Higher pixel density
  • Sharper image quality

Although the Phone 4a offers slightly better resolution and pixel density, the Phone 4b still provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations that are excellent for entertainment and everyday use.

Camera Comparison

Photography is where the Phone 4a clearly pulls ahead.

Nothing Phone 4b

  • 50MP Primary Camera
  • 8MP Ultra-wide Camera
  • 8MP Selfie Camera
  • Nothing Phone 4a
  • 50MP Primary
  • 50MP Telephoto
  • 8MP Ultra-wide
  • 32MP Front Camera

The additional telephoto sensor gives the Phone 4a greater flexibility for portrait shots and optical zoom. Its 32MP front camera also captures significantly better selfies and video calls compared to the 8MP sensor on the Phone 4b.

However, the Phone 4b’s dual-camera setup is still capable of producing detailed daylight photos with accurate colors and decent dynamic range, making it suitable for everyday photography.

Battery Life and Charging

While the Nothing Phone 4b offers a 5,400mAh battery, it does not stand out in its price segment. Several competing smartphones provide significantly larger batteries and, in some cases, stronger overall performance. For example, the OnePlus Nord CE6 5G is equipped with an 8,000mAh battery, the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion features a 7,000mAh battery, and the iQOO Z11x 5G offers a 7,200mAh battery along with a higher AnTuTu benchmark score.

Similarly, the Vivo T5x 5G also delivers better battery performance, making these devices more compelling choices for users who prioritize battery life. One of the major drawbacks of both the Nothing Phone 4a and the Nothing Phone 4b is the lack of wireless charging or magsafe support. While many competing smartphones in a similar or slightly higher price segment now offer wireless charging, Nothing has omitted this feature from both models.

Nothing Phone 4b

  • 5,400mAh battery
  • 33W fast charging
  • Reverse charging
  • Nothing Phone 4a
  • 5,400mAh battery
  • 50W fast charging
  • Reverse charging

Battery endurance is nearly identical, but the Phone 4a charges considerably faster with its 50W charger.

If fast charging is important to you, the Phone 4a offers a noticeable advantage.

Software Experience

Both smartphones ship with Android 16 running Nothing OS.

Nothing’s software remains one of the cleanest Android experiences available, offering:

  • Minimal bloatware
  • Smooth animations
  • Regular software updates
  • AI-powered features
  • Custom Glyph bar controls
  • Clean user interface

Users who enjoy stock Android will appreciate the polished experience on both devices.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Both smartphones support:

  • 5G
  • Wi-Fi 6
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Dual SIM
  • IP64/IP65 protection

Some Phone 4a variants may additionally offer NFC and wireless charging, features that may not be available on the Phone 4b depending on the market. Many users wonder whether the Nothing Phone 4b offers full water resistance. The answer is no.

The device comes with an IP64/IP65 rating (depending on the variant), which provides protection against dust and water splashes but is not designed for submersion in water. As a result, it should not be used underwater. In comparison, many premium smartphones from brands such as Samsung and Apple offer higher IP68-rated water resistance, allowing them to withstand immersion in water under specified conditions.

Nothing Phone 4b Price in India

One of the biggest strengths of the Phone 4b is its pricing. The expected phone 4b price in India starts at ₹25,999, making it substantially more affordable than the Phone 4a, which starts around ₹34,999.

This pricing places the Phone 4b in direct competition with devices from Motorola, Redmi, Realme, iQOO, and Samsung in the upper mid-range segment.
For users looking for premium design without paying flagship prices, the Phone 4b becomes an attractive option.

Should You Buy the Nothing Phone 4b?

Choose the Nothing Phone 4b if you want:

  • Lower price
  • Modern Nothing design
  • Signature Glyph bar
  • Clean Android experience
  • Good battery life
  • Reliable everyday performance
  • Stylish Phone (4b) blends a unibody design and clear camera bump

Choose the Nothing Phone 4a if you prefer:

  • Better processor
  • Higher-resolution display
  • Telephoto camera
  • Superior selfie camera
  • Faster 50W charging
  • More premium photography experience

Final Verdict

The Nothing Phone 4b successfully brings the brand’s signature design philosophy to a more affordable price segment. With the Nothing Phone 4b launched in India on July 7, buyers can expect a stylish smartphone featuring the iconic Glyph bar, dependable Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 performance, Android 16 with Nothing OS, and a competitive starting price of ₹25,999.

The Nothing Phone 4b AnTuTu score approximately 833247 suggests that the device offers solid real-world performance for everyday users, even if it falls slightly behind the Phone 4a in raw benchmark numbers. Meanwhile, the Phone (4b) blends a unibody design and clear camera bump, giving it a refined aesthetic that stands out in the crowded mid-range market.

If photography, display sharpness, and faster charging are your priorities, the Phone 4a remains the stronger option. However, if you’re seeking excellent value, premium design, clean software, and reliable performance at a lower price, the Nothing Phone 4b mobile phone is shaping up to be one of the most compelling launches in its category. The anticipated RCB edition could further enhance its appeal for fans looking for a limited-edition variant with exclusive styling.