Phone brand "Nothing" is a dark-horse in the world of smartphones and accessories. But while you may not remember the name, you would instantly remember the fashion-forward brand's unique take on devices once you saw them. The brand took over London's Central Saint Martins Art School overnight to announce a range of new devices: both smartphones and iconic headphones.
The event featured a keynote that included speakers like CEO Carl Pei and Chief Brand Officer Charlie Smith, who joins the brand fresh from a seven-year stint at Loewe. Nothing showed off two new devices: the Nothing Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro. It also introduced an update to some unforgettable-looking headphones: the new Nothing Headphone(a). Here's what you need to know about the most uniquely-designed devices coming soon to a pocket near you.
Nothing Phone (4a): what's new and different?
At its London event, Nothing first introduced the new Phone (4a). It's a thoughtful and refined update to the brand’s mid-range smartphone that focuses less on reinvention, and instead focuses on refinements. The design remains unmistakably Nothing, but across the camera, display, software and performance, the latest model sharpens the experience in subtle but meaningful ways.
A brighter, sharper display
The Phone (4a) upgrades the screen to a 6.78-inch display with a much-higher "1.5K" resolution, making text, photos and video noticeably crisper than on the previous model. It also gets significantly brighter outdoors, improving visibility in full sunlight, while a faster refresh rate keeps scrolling and animations feeling smooth.
For everyday use, reading, streaming or switching between apps, the result is a display that simply feels more responsive.
A new periscope camera with longer (physical) zoom
One of the biggest upgrades arrives in the camera system. The Phone (4a) introduces a periscope telephoto lens. Whereas other devices will blur the lines with digital zoom, the new tech means that Nothing with the (4a) is able to bring 3.5× optical zoom in a substantial jump from the 3(a) that comes before it. For those who really want to get up close, the digital zoom is still in place, providing an impressive 70x zoom capability.
In practical terms, that means better portrait photography and the ability to capture details further away, whether you’re photographing architecture, concerts or landscapes. New image-processing software also helps the phone automatically balance lighting and colour for more natural-looking photos.
Meet the "Glyph" bar
The so-called "Glyph" experience is what makes Nothing devices stand out from the pack. Instead of having a device that constantly demands your attention, Nothing uses a clever array of lights on the rear of the device to let you know what's happening so you don't have to pick up the device and get into the weeds of your notifications every time something happens.
With the (4a), Nothing’s signature lighting system returns in an updated form.
The Phone (4a) replaces the earlier Glyph Interface with a redesigned Glyph Bar, a strip of 63 LEDs embedded into the transparent back.
Beyond the visual impact, it acts as an even more legible notification system (while maintaining the subtlety), lighting up for timers, progress indicators and incoming alerts.
Faster performance
Under the hood, the Phone (4a) runs on new hardware from Qualcomm in the form of a Gen 4 processor. The headline is faster performance and improved power efficiency compared with the previous generation.
For users, that translates into smoother multitasking, quicker app launches and more stable performance when gaming or editing photos.
New software with new AI tools
The software also sees a generational update with Nothing OS 4.1, built on Android 16. Alongside a cleaner interface and smoother animations, the system introduces a series of new AI-assisted tools designed to simplify everyday tasks.
Features like Essential Space and Essential Search help capture, organise and retrieve notes, screenshots and other content more easily. All part of Nothing’s broader push to make the smartphone experience feel less cluttered.
It's also worth noting that you can turn these AI features off if these are aspects you would prefer not to engage with.
Subtle design refinements and stronger materials
Visually, the Phone (4a) continues the brand’s transparent design language but introduces new colourways - pink, white, black and blue - alongside improved durability. The frame is stronger than the previous model, and the display is protected with upgraded Gorilla Glass for better resistance to scratches and drops.
Nothing (4a): pricing and release date
The Nothing Phone (4a) will be available in black, white, blue and pink in three configurations: 8GB (of RAM) + 128GB (of on-board storage) for $649; 8GB + 256GB for $749, and 12GB + 256GB for $849.
Global pre-orders open March 6, 2026, with open sales beginning March 17, 2026 through Nothing’s website and or JB Hi-Fi, Optus, The Good Guys and Amazon.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro: the photographer's Nothing Phone
For those wanting a step up from the Phone (4a), the Phone (4a) Pro takes the same foundations and pushes them further, particularly when it comes to photography and design.
The biggest leap is the camera system. The Pro model introduces a new Sony-built main sensor and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, capable of up to 140× zoom. That's more than double the reach of the previous Phone (3a) Pro.
For those not in the know, Sony makes unreal camera sensors, and this one is specifically designed to produce great images (even in low-light) while allowing the phone it's in to still stay thin and sleek. Paired with Nothing’s latest imaging engine, it’s designed to capture everything from distant concert stages to everyday portraits with greater clarity and detail.
The hardware itself also sees a noticeable shift. While earlier models leaned on plastic frames, the Phone (4a) Pro moves to a metal unibody, giving it a slimmer profile and a more premium feel in the hand. The metal construction also improves heat management, working alongside a new cooling system to keep the phone running smoothly during demanding tasks.
Underneath the incredibly bright screen, the Pro model is powered by a new Snapdragon chipset paired with faster memory, delivering a sizeable jump in real-world performance. Apps launch quicker, multitasking feels smoother and the device stays cooler even during video or photo editing on-the-go.
The Glyph Bar becomes the flagship Glyph Matrix in the (4a) Pro. It allows for more detailed notifications than the (4a). The idea is that it can be customised to show what is going to best help you – Battery, Timer, Digital Clock, Solar Path and more. But you can also assign personalised light patterns to help you distinguish between contacts, calls or notification. It's all designed around the core purpose to reduce screen time and keep you living in the moment.
Beyond that, it builds on much of what makes the standard Phone (4a) appealing. There's the brighter AMOLED display, faster charging, tougher glass, new Nothing OS software tools and the brand’s distinctive Glyph lighting system. The Pro, however, pushes the overall experience a little further for those who want more power and a more advanced camera system.
Nothing (4a) Pro: pricing and release date
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro will be available in black, silver and pink in a single configuration: 12GB (of RAM) + 256GB (of on-board storage) for $949.
Global pre-orders open March 6, 2026, with open sales beginning March 27, 2026 through Nothing’s website and or JB Hi-Fi, Optus, The Good Guys and Amazon.
Nothing Headphone(a): more power, more style, more sound
Alongside its latest smartphones, Nothing also introduced an updated pair of its already-iconic over-ear headphones, Headphone (a).
Building on the industrial aesthetic introduced with last year’s Headphone (1), the new model keeps the brand’s distinctive transparent construction while introducing brighter finishes and the same fashion-forward edge.
A battery that lasts for days
The biggest upgrade is endurance. Headphone (a) can deliver up to 135 hours of playback without active noise cancellation, and up to 75 hours with ANC enabled - a significant jump from the previous generation.
In practical terms, that means users could go days without needing to recharge. And when the battery does run low, a quick five-minute charge provides around eight hours of listening time, making it easy to top up before heading out.
More immersive audio with spatial sound
Audio performance has also been reworked. The headphones use a 40mm driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm, designed to deliver stronger bass response and clearer highs.
New AI-powered Dynamic Bass Enhancement automatically adjusts low frequencies in real time, helping tracks sound fuller without distortion. And for a more cinematic listening experience, the headphones introduce spatial audio modes designed to replicate the feeling of sitting in a cinema or at a live concert.
Smarter noise cancellation and clearer calls
Headphone (a) also upgrades its noise-cancelling system with AI-powered active noise cancellation, using dual microphone arrays to adapt to changing environments. A transparency mode allows outside sound in when needed - useful for commuting or moving through busy spaces.
For calls, an AI-assisted voice system helps isolate speech from background noise, keeping conversations clear even in louder environments.
Familiar controls, expanded features
Nothing has kept the tactile control system introduced with the original headphones - including the roller for volume adjustments and the paddle for navigating tracks - but expanded what those controls can do.
Through the Nothing ecosystem, the headphones can now trigger additional functions such as camera shutter control, media app switching and voice assistant features, allowing users to interact with their devices without reaching for their phone.
Headphone(a): pricing and release date
The Nothing Headphone (a) will be available in white, black, pink and yellow. Pricing for Australia has not yet been confirmed.
Release timing has also not been specified in the Phone (4a) Series press materials, with further availability details expected to be announced by Nothing closer to launch.
Mia Steiber travelled to London as a guest of Nothing.
