Nothing Phone (4a) is set to launch globally, including in India, on March 5. With the launch date revealed, the London-based consumer technology brand is gradually confirming key details ahead of the announcement. The company has recently confirmed that the smartphone will feature a redesigned Glyph Bar interface and, for the first time in the series, a periscope camera on the base model.
For the past few days, Nothing has been sharing information through teaser videos and official reveals, highlighting design changes, new lighting interactions and colour options. The Phone (4a) will be available in pink, white, black, and yellow finishes, featuring a combination of metal and plastic. The company recently showcased the pink variant in a YouTube video, where it also discussed updates to the Glyph Bar and camera system.
Nothing Phone 4a to feature periscope camera: What we know so far
In a recent YouTube video, Nothing has confirmed that the Phone (4a) will include a periscope camera, making it the first time a base model in the company’s A-series receives this hardware. Earlier, periscope cameras were generally limited to Pro or flagship variants.
For the Nothing Phone 4a, the company is using a compact tetra-prism periscope system instead of the square module seen on the Phone (3a) Pro, helping reduce the size of the camera unit and enabling a more compact camera layout.
However, the company has yet to disclose the exact sensor or the camera’s detailed technical specifications. If it uses the same sensor as the Phone (3a) Pro, the device may support up to 3x optical zoom.
A periscope setup typically helps capture better detail in zoomed images and portraits due to its extended optical range. This could help the Nothing Phone (4a) stand out among other mid-range devices, depending on its pricing.
Nothing Phone 4a to come with new Glyph Bar: What we know so far
Nothing phones have featured different versions of the Glyph Interface over time, and it has now been updated into a Glyph Bar, a vertical strip with six LEDs. The Phone (4a) also introduces a red recording LED to the A series for the first time, which lights up while recording video to indicate that recording is in progress.
Features like Wings Notification, which pulses the lights, and Dolphin Notification, which lights LEDs sequentially, were also displayed. The Glyph Progress feature, which is now connected to Android 16’s live updates for wider app compatibility, will also be supported by the Glyph Bar.
In keeping with Nothing’s design philosophy, the Sand Timer feature, introduced with the Phone (3) and producing an hourglass-style lighting effect, is also present on the Phone (4a). The camera shutter lighting effect is an additional feature that adds a tactile visual response by synchronising the LEDs with the shutter while taking pictures.
On the Phone (4a), the Glyph Bar is designed to remain subtle while serving functional purposes. It integrates notifications and visual alerts into daily usage without dominating the overall design.
Nothing Phone 4a: Other expected specs
Nothing has so far highlighted the Phone (4a) ‘s design, an area that continues to play an important role in the brand’s identity. The smartphone is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon chipset, likely the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, which would be an upgrade over the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 used in the Phone (3a).
The upcoming phone may feature a 6.7-inch 1.5K AMOLED display along with a 50MP + 50MP + 8MP triple rear camera setup. The battery capacity could also increase slightly from 5,000 mAh to around 5,400 mAh. While this is a reasonable upgrade, several smartphones on the market currently offer larger 7,000 mAh batteries. With the launch scheduled next week, more clarity will emerge once the device is officially announced and tested.
