The market for Android phones priced below $500 is packed with big names: the Moto G series, Samsung Galaxy A series, and the Google Pixel A series, to name a few.
However, because their looks (and hardware) have barely changed over the past couple of generations, they aren’t particularly exciting for Android enthusiasts looking for value. This state of affairs makes the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro an exciting addition to this price category.
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
| Display | 6.83-in. AMOLED display (2,800 x 1,260 pixels), 144-Hz maximum refresh rate |
| Camera | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom magnification, 8MP ultra-wide; 32MP selfie camera |
| Memory | 8/12 GB of RAM, 128/256 GB of storage |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Other | IP65 water- and dust-resistant, stereo speakers |
Following the Nothing Phone (2) from 2023 and last year’s Nothing Phone (3), the manufacturer’s third Android to officially hit the shelves in the United States is more affordable than any of its predecessors. It brings an interesting mix of design and a rich set of hardware features. One of them—a proper telephoto camera—is missing in phones from big-name brands and is a big plus. Another is its fresh-looking and infinitely customizable interface.
After a week of using the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro as my primary Android, I think it’s today’s best under-$500 phone for Android enthusiasts. Here’s why.
The aluminum unibody and rear camera bump of the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, while decidedly iPhone 17 Pro-esque, make other Androids look generic, even boring, by comparison. Lower-cost smartphones typically feature a metal frame and, depending on the brand and model, a plastic, glass, or synthetic leather back cover.
Most importantly, the all-metal build of the Nothing phone also gives it a more upmarket feel. And that’s before factoring in the matrix of LED lights integrated into its rear camera setup that displays useful information, including time and weather, caller ID, and even battery and charging status.
My favorite part about this feature is that it meaningfully reduces the distractions that a regular phone screen would cause while working at my office desk. I have also experienced the functionality of the Nothing Phone (3) and can confirm it’s not just a gimmick but a meaningful add-on.
That aside, I also like that the Phone (4a) Pro’s camera bump has the same shape as the Nothing headphone (1). The translucent cover and tiny red square have been carried over, too. And on the phone, the red square also doubles as a video-recording light indicator, adding further to its characterful design.
Multisensor rear camera setups are common in budget-friendly Android phones, but nowhere near as good as those of pricier products. Regardless of the brand, every phone has a reliable primary camera, typically joined by a lower-resolution ultra-wide snapper. The few options with a triple-rear camera, in addition to primary and ultra-wide, include a macro or a telephoto snapper with a more modest resolution, meaning they aren’t too far ahead of the curve.
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is the best in its price range for its triple-rear camera and the number of megapixels on tap. It has a 50-megapixel main, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide, and a 32-megapixel telephoto sensor, as well as a 32-megapixel selfie unit. The primary sensor alone impressed me by offering three focal lengths to choose from, similar to an iPhone Pro.
What’s more, the device’s telephoto camera has a robust 3.5x optical zoom, which doubles to 7x by cropping into its high-resolution sensor, à la iPhone 17 Pro and Google Pixel 10 Pro. The digital zoom range can reach a dizzying 140x magnification, though I think its addition is a bit of overkill.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip delivered speedy app interactions, effortless multitasking courtesy of 8 gigabytes or 12 gigabytes of RAM, and enjoyable gameplay. Red Dead Redemption—a full Android port of the legendary Rockstar Games title for Xbox and PlayStation—ran superbly on the device’s large and vibrant screen. Game enthusiasts will surely appreciate the maximum refresh rate of 144 Hertz.
Powered by a large battery, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro easily got through a full day of mixed use with power to spare. The device’s 50-watt wired charging support delivers faster charging speeds than those of Google and Samsung. There’s no support for wireless charging, but it’s a small price to pay for the sleek all-metal build.
Dubbed Nothing OS, the Android interface of the Phone (4a) Pro offers stylish and varied options for customization—without having to install a third-party launcher.
I like that you can choose between keeping the Android look close to stock or making it completely your own with icon packs. I only wish the left-side button were customizable. The key is dedicated solely to the Nothing Essential Space app, where you can add and organize notes and screenshots with AI assistance.
Android future-proofing is an area where the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro lags behind Google and Samsung. Nothing’s three years of guaranteed platform updates and six years of security patches are behind the seven-year full support that new Google and Samsung phones have, but I don’t think this is a dealbreaker. Android enthusiasts tend to upgrade their phones more frequently than regular consumers, so I doubt those considering the phone will worry about whether its platform will be fully up to date in the 2030s.
As an Android phone buff, I’d pick the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro over a Samsung Galaxy A56 or a Google Pixel 10a for its striking design, noticeably more premium build, and a more versatile camera with a legit telephoto lens. The Nothing phone’s bigger and brighter screen also makes it better for watching videos and gaming.
Spending $500 gets you a Nothing Phone (4a) Pro with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Increasing the RAM and storage to 12 GB and 256 GB, respectively, costs an additional $100. If this is on your mind, be sure to check whether the Nothing Phone (3) with a beefier Qualcomm chip and a tougher build is on sale. Currently, a variant with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage is available on Amazon for $639—that’s 20 percent below retail.
Stefan is an award-winning consumer technology editor with over a decade of experience in reviewing gadgets, particularly smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, desktop and laptop computers across multiple form factors and platforms, as well as accessories for them. He also covers televisions and audio equipment, including headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and soundbars. Since joining Hearst in 2015, Stefan has contributed to BestProducts, Popular Mechanics, and numerous other publications. Prior to his current role, he served as the US Editor for GSMArena.com.
Rachel is the Deputy Editor of Reviews for Hearst's Enthusiast and Wellness Group where she supports Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, and Best Products. Her background is in service journalism and earlier in her career she worked as a daily newspaper reporter and book editor. She spent more than a decade as a staff editor and writer at TripAdvisor and Penguin Random House and her byline has appeared in Time Out New York, the New York Daily News, and New York Magazine. Outside of work, Rachel can be found planning her next trip, visiting museums and galleries, and walking her wirehaired dachshund in Central Park.
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