Nothing’s Next Move: The Phone (4a) and a Budget Audio Twist?

Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at 16:42

Just as the dust begins to settle on the early 2026 flagship season, Nothing is gearing up to shake the mid-range market once again. The Nothing Phone (4a) has officially hit the certification trail, appearing on the UAE’s TDRA database under model number A069 - as a recent leak suggests. This isn't just a administrative formality; it’s a clear signal that Carl Pei’s team is prepping for a global debut, likely landing by March 2026.

Key Takeaways

March Arrival: Certification listings point to a Q1 2026 launch window for the Phone (4a) series.
Processor Upgrades: The lineup will feature Snapdragon 7-series chips, with the Pro model likely supporting eSIM.
Speedier Storage: Moving to UFS 3.1 ensures better performance, though it contributes to a price hike.
Expanded Palette: Both the new phones and the "Headphone (a)" will launch in vibrant colors like Pink and Blue.
AI Pricing Impact: Rising component costs mean the 4a series will be more expensive than its predecessors.

Scaling Up the Specs

Nothing has always been about "intentional design," but for the 4a series, they seem to be leaning harder into raw performance than before. Leaks suggest a significant internal split: the standard Phone (4a) is tipped to run the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, while the Phone (4a) Pro could jump to the more robust Snapdragon 7 Gen 4.

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In my view, the most underrated upgrade here is the move to UFS 3.1 storage. While it sounds like tech-jargon, it essentially means the phone will feel snappier—opening apps and moving files much faster than the older UFS 2.2 found in the Phone (3a). However, this speed comes with a "tax." Carl Pei recently hinted that soaring memory costs (thanks to the global AI boom) might push prices up by roughly 30%. We’re looking at an estimated $475 for the base model and $540 for the Pro.

The Pokémon and the "Plastic" Headphone

True to brand tradition, the internal codename for the A069 model appears to be "Bellsprout" (Pokémon #0069). Expect the marketing campaign to be full of leafy teasers in the coming weeks.

But the phones aren't coming alone. Nothing is reportedly preparing the Headphone (a)—a more affordable, plastic-bodied sibling to the premium Headphone (1) launched last year. Rumored to come in punchy colors like Pink and Yellow, these seem designed to capture the "Gen Z" aesthetic that Nothing targets so well. It’s a smart move to diversify their ecosystem while the flagship Phone (4) remains in the shadows until summer.

Final Thoughts

The Phone (4a) represents a pivot point for Nothing. If they can justify the higher price tag with a significantly better "experience" and that signature transparent flair, they’ll maintain their cult-hero status. If not, they might find the mid-range competition from Xiaomi and Samsung a lot tougher in 2026.