- The Nothing Phone 4(b) starts at £299 in the U.K. (roughly $399), making it cheaper than its predecessor, the 4(a), which launched at a starting price of £349 (around $466) in March 2026.
- Weekly poll results indicate a grim outlook for the Nothing Phone (4b), suggesting it needs a price cut to compete effectively.
- The 4(b) features a plastic back instead of a glass one, which may affect its appeal.
- The screen resolution of the 4(b) is 1080 x 2344 pixels, resulting in a lower pixel density of 381 PPI compared to the 4(a)'s 440 PPI.
- The peak brightness of the 4(b) drops from 4,500 nits to 2,000 nits, which is a significant reduction.
- The 4(b) is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip, which is less powerful than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 used in the 4(a).
- The storage in the 4(b) is UFS 2.2, which is older and slower than the UFS 3.1 found in the 4(a).
- Charging speeds for the 4(b) are capped at 33 W, compared to 50 W for the 4(a), indicating slower charging capabilities.
- The camera setup on the 4(b) includes only two lenses: a primary 50 MP wide and a secondary 8 MP ultrawide, lacking a telephoto lens.
- Despite its lower price, many consumers are considering the 4(a) instead, as the price premium is often small.
- There are several pain points for the Nothing Phone (4b), including slow, non-expandable storage, a relatively weak chipset, and limited OS updates.
- The Nothing Phone 4(a) offers a 12/256GB variant, while the 4(b) is primarily available in an 8/128GB configuration, with a rare 8/256GB variant for India.
- The 4(b) has a smaller battery capacity of 5,200mAh compared to the 6,000mAh battery available in the Indian variant.
- The market competition includes many mid-range phones that excel in areas like cameras, chipsets, and battery life, posing a challenge for the 4(b).
- CEO Carl Pei has acknowledged the ongoing trend of rising phone prices, which may impact consumer expectations.
- The Nothing Phone 4(b) is launching without significant fanfare, as the company currently only has the Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro available this year.
The Nothing Phone (4b) is struggling to make an impact in a competitive market, with specifications that fall short compared to its predecessor, the 4(a). Priced at £299 in the U.K., it is cheaper than the 4(a) but lacks key features that consumers expect.1
The 4b's screen resolution is 1080 x 2344 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 381 PPI, significantly lower than the 440 PPI of the 4(a). Additionally, it is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip, which is less capable than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 found in the 4(a).46
Other compromises include a plastic back instead of glass, slower charging speeds of up to 33 W compared to 50 W, and older UFS 2.2 storage instead of the faster UFS 3.1. The camera setup is also limited, featuring only two lenses: a 50 MP wide and an 8 MP ultrawide, missing a telephoto lens.3789
Market sentiment is not favorable, as many potential buyers are considering the 4(a) instead, given the small price difference. Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, acknowledges the challenges, stating, "Things are looking grim for the Nothing Phone (4b) – to have a fighting chance, the phone needs a price cut and it needs it now."215
With limited options this year, including only the Phone (4a) and (4a) Pro, the (4b) is set to launch without much fanfare.
“The 4b starts at £299 ($399), cheaper than the 4a, but uses a plastic back, Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip, slower 33W charging, and a less sharp 1080p screen. Competitors offer better specs at similar prices, making the 4b's pricing cut essential for survival.”
bgr.com
