After much anticipation, Nothing has officially unveiled the Nothing Phone 4b, which stands out as a compelling option among budget Android devices for 2026.
Distinctive Design Features
The Nothing Phone 4b showcases a unique aesthetic that reflects the brand's innovative spirit. It includes a broad camera island housing two rear cameras, paired with a striking vertical light bar. This Glyph light bar, composed of 45 mini-LEDs, lights up for various notifications, charging status, video recording, and customized alerts.
The design also features noticeable screws and metallic accents around the camera bump, along with a circular indent on the lower section of the plastic rear cover. Users can expect an IP64 rating, ensuring dust resistance and limited splash protection. Interestingly, Nothing claims the device can endure immersion in water up to 25cm (approximately 9.8 inches) for a duration of 20 minutes.
Specifications That Impress
On the technical side, the Nothing Phone 4b is equipped with a 6.77-inch OLED display featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use. The device runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, offering 8GB of RAM and options for 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. While this processor is positioned within the budget range, it boasts an 11% performance increase compared to its predecessor, thanks to Qualcomm's upgrade to its CPU architecture. Additionally, users can benefit from a 29% boost in GPU performance and enhanced AI capabilities through its NPU.
Battery Life and Charging
For battery enthusiasts, the Nothing Phone 4b comes with a robust 6,000mAh battery in India. However, customers in other regions will receive a slightly smaller 5,200mAh battery, likely due to regulatory constraints. Notably, the battery is rated for an impressive 1,200 charging cycles before capacity drops below 90%, surpassing the standard 1,000 cycles typically offered by competitors like Google and Apple. When it’s time to recharge, users can take advantage of 33W wired charging, which delivers a full charge in around 80 minutes—considered moderate by 2026 standards.
Camera Capabilities
In terms of photography, the Nothing Phone 4b features a dual-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens with a 119-degree field of view. While these cameras are not expected to rival high-end models, they should perform adequately for everyday photography needs. Additionally, a 16MP front-facing camera is available for selfies and video calls.
Additional Features and Software Support
Among its other features, the Nothing Phone 4b offers Bluetooth 6.0, dual stereo speakers, an integrated Essential Key, NFC support, an in-display optical fingerprint scanner, and Wi-Fi 6. On the software front, it operates on Nothing OS 4.1, built on Android 16, and includes features such as Essential Space, Essential Apps, and Essential Voice. Nothing also commits to providing three major OS updates and six years of security patches, which is commendable for a budget-friendly Android device.
In terms of pricing, the Nothing Phone 4b starts at £299 (around $400) in the UK, €329 (approximately $376) in Europe, and ₹34,999 (about $369) in India. For context, the previous Phone 4a was priced at £379 (approximately $507). The new model will be available in Blue, White, and Black colors, with general sales commencing on July 17.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/nothing-phone-4b-3684722/
