The Nothing Phone 4(b), released in July 2026, introduces a budget-focused tier to the company’s smartphone lineup with a starting price of £299 (approximately $399). While the device retains Nothing’s signature aesthetic, it achieves this lower price point through hardware compromises, including a plastic back, a lower-resolution display, and a less powerful processor compared to the Nothing Phone 4(a).
Hardware Trade-offs in the Nothing Phone 4(b)
To reduce costs during a period of rising electronics prices, Nothing implemented several hardware downgrades in the 4(b). According to Christian de Looper at BGR, the device features a 6.77-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2344, resulting in a pixel density of 381 pixels per inch (PPI). This stands in contrast to the 4(a) model, which offers a higher 1224 x 2720 resolution and 440 PPI.
Brightness levels also saw a reduction. The Phone 4(b) reaches a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, compared to the 4,500 nits found on the 4(a). Internally, the 4(b) utilizes the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip, a step down from the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 found in the 4(a). Additionally, the 4(b) relies on slower UFS 2.2 storage rather than the UFS 3.1 standard used in its predecessor.
Camera and Battery Performance
The camera system on the Nothing Phone 4(b) consists of a dual-lens setup: a 50 MP primary wide lens and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. The device lacks the telephoto lens found in the 4(a), limiting its versatility for photography.
Battery life is the only area where the 4(b) shows a technical improvement, featuring a 5,200 mAh capacity in the international version compared to the 5,080 mAh battery in the 4(a). However, charging speeds have been reduced from 50 W on the 4(a) to 33 W on the 4(b).
Did you know?
Nothing CEO and co-founder Carl Pei has been vocal on X about how the price of phones is going up and will continue for the foreseeable future, in a market where the price of different electronic gadgets has risen due to a memory crisis caused by AI data centers.
Is the Price Cut Worth the Compromise?
The Nothing Phone 4(b) launched at £299, which is £50 cheaper than the £349 launch price of the Phone 4(a) released in March 2026. Despite this reduction, analysis suggests that the modest price difference makes the 4(b) a difficult recommendation.
Because the 4(a) offers superior display technology, faster processing, and more robust camera hardware, the marginal savings of the 4(b) may not outweigh the loss in performance. For users prioritizing value, the 4(a) remains the more capable option in the current market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Nothing Phone 4(b) differ from the 4(a)?
The 4(b) is a budget-oriented model with a plastic back, lower screen resolution, a less powerful processor, and slower charging speeds compared to the 4(a).
Why did Nothing release a cheaper, less powerful phone?
CEO and co-founder Carl Pei has cited rising costs in the electronics industry, driven by memory demand from AI data centers, as a factor in the current pricing landscape.
Is the battery life better on the Nothing Phone 4(b)?
Yes, the 4(b) features a larger 5,200 mAh battery compared to the 5,080 mAh battery in the 4(a), though it charges at a slower rate of 33 W.
What are your thoughts on the trade-offs between the 4(a) and 4(b) models? Join the conversation in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more tech updates.
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