MyPitShop | February 2026 | India
The Nothing Phone 4a is getting a lot of hype right now. Tech reviewers are calling it the “best value mid-range phone” and praising its transparent design, Glyph Bar lighting, and triple camera setup. And to be fair, it does a lot of things right.
But here is what most reviews will not tell you: the Nothing Phone 4a has some genuinely frustrating flaws that could make you regret your purchase — especially if you are coming from a flagship phone or even some other mid-range competitors.
We spent weeks with the Nothing Phone 4a, and while we genuinely like the phone overall, there are 5 specific reasons you should think twice before buying it — especially at ₹32,000–₹37,000.
Let us be brutally honest about where this phone falls short.
1. No Wireless Charging — In 2026, That’s Inexcusable
Let us start with the most frustrating omission: the Nothing Phone 4a has no wireless charging. Not even basic 5W wireless charging. Nothing. Zero. You are stuck with wired charging only.
Why This Matters
Wireless charging is not just a luxury feature anymore. It is a convenience that changes how you use your phone daily. You drop it on a charging pad on your desk while you work. You put it on your nightstand charger before bed. You use a car mount with wireless charging on your commute.
With the Nothing Phone 4a, you cannot do any of that. You have to physically plug in a cable every single time.
What Competitors Offer
Here is the thing that makes this omission even more frustrating: competitors at this price point do offer wireless charging.
- Samsung Galaxy A55 (₹35,000–₹40,000): 25W wireless charging
- Google Pixel 8a (₹40,000–₹45,000): 18W wireless charging
- OnePlus 12R (₹40,000): 50W wireless charging
Even budget-friendly phones like the Realme GT 6 are starting to include wireless charging. But Nothing decided to skip it entirely on the 4a.
The Excuse: “It Keeps Costs Down”
Nothing will probably argue that skipping wireless charging keeps the price competitive. But when you are already charging ₹32,000–₹37,000 for a mid-range phone, that excuse does not hold up. Especially when the phone still costs more than some competitors that do include wireless charging.
Bottom line: If wireless charging is part of your daily routine, the Nothing Phone 4a will frustrate you every single day.
2. The Battery Is Good, But Nothing Special — And It’s Not Growing
The Nothing Phone 4a has a 5,080 mAh battery. That is… fine. It is not bad. But it is also not impressive, especially when you look at what competitors are doing in 2026.
The Problem: Other Phones Have 6,000–7,000 mAh Batteries Now
Here is the harsh reality: mid-range phones in 2026 are hitting 6,000–7,000 mAh thanks to silicon-carbon battery technology. These batteries are denser, lighter, and longer-lasting.
Examples:
- Realme GT 6: 6,500 mAh
- iQOO Z9 Pro: 6,000 mAh
- Redmi Note 14 Pro+: 6,200 mAh
The Nothing Phone 4a’s 5,080 mAh battery is basically 1,000–2,000 mAh smaller than its direct competitors. And while battery life on the Nothing Phone 4a is genuinely good (it will easily last a full day with heavy use), it does not give you the multi-day battery life that larger batteries provide.
It Hasn’t Grown Since the Previous Generation
Here is the kicker: the battery capacity has not increased from the Nothing Phone 3a. It is still 5,080 mAh. Nothing did not even try to upgrade it.
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip is more power-efficient, which helps. But at the end of the day, you are still working with a smaller battery than most competitors.
Charging Is Good, But Not Class-Leading
The Nothing Phone 4a supports 50W wired charging, which means it takes just over an hour to fully charge from empty. That is decent, but it is not particularly fast compared to competitors:
- Realme GT 6: 120W charging (0–100% in 26 minutes)
- OnePlus 12R: 100W charging (0–100% in 28 minutes)
- iQOO Z9 Pro: 80W charging (0–100% in 40 minutes)
50W charging is fine. But when you can get 100W+ charging at the same price point, it feels like Nothing is holding back.
Bottom line: The battery life is good, but not exceptional. If you want the longest battery life or the fastest charging, there are better options.
3. Software Support Is Mediocre — Only 3 OS Updates
This is a big one, and it is something most reviews gloss over: Nothing only promises 3 OS updates and 6 years of security patches.
Why This Matters
When you spend ₹32,000–₹37,000 on a phone, you want it to last. Software updates are a huge part of that. They keep your phone secure, add new features, and ensure compatibility with new apps.
With only 3 OS updates, the Nothing Phone 4a will stop receiving major Android updates after just 3 years. That means if you buy it in 2026, it will stop getting OS updates in 2029.
What Competitors Offer
Here is where it gets frustrating: Nothing’s direct competitors offer significantly better software support.
- Google Pixel 8a: 7 years of OS updates
- Samsung Galaxy A55: 5 years of OS updates + 6 years of security patches
- OnePlus 12R: 4 years of OS updates + 6 years of security patches
Even budget brands like Realme and iQOO are starting to offer 4 years of OS updates.
Nothing’s 3 OS updates feel outdated and disappointing, especially when the competition is offering double that.
Security Patches Are Good, But Not Enough
Yes, Nothing does promise 6 years of security patches, which means your phone will stay secure even after OS updates stop. That is good. But security patches alone do not add new features or keep your phone feeling fresh.
Bottom line: If you want to use your phone for 5+ years without it feeling outdated, the Nothing Phone 4a’s software support is a dealbreaker.
4. The Speakers Are Weak and Unbalanced
This is a small issue, but it is one that will annoy you every single day: the Nothing Phone 4a’s stereo speakers are weak and unbalanced.
The Problem: The Bottom Speaker Does All the Work
The Nothing Phone 4a has a stereo speaker setup — one speaker on the bottom, and one tiny earpiece speaker at the top. In theory, this should give you balanced, immersive sound.
In reality, the bottom speaker does 90% of the work. The top earpiece speaker is so quiet that it barely contributes to the sound. The result is audio that feels lopsided and thin.
They’re Not Particularly Loud, Either
Even when you max out the volume, the speakers are not particularly loud. If you are in a noisy environment — a busy street, a coffee shop, public transport — you will struggle to hear what is going on.
Watching Netflix, YouTube, or listening to music without headphones is genuinely disappointing.
What You Should Do Instead
If you buy the Nothing Phone 4a, you will absolutely need Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for any serious media consumption. The speakers are fine for ringtones and notifications, but that is about it.
Bottom line: If you watch a lot of videos or listen to music on your phone’s speakers, you will be disappointed.
5. Gaming Performance Is Just “Fine” — Not Great
The Nothing Phone 4a is marketed as a well-rounded mid-range phone, and gaming is part of that pitch. But here is the reality: gaming performance is just okay, not great.
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Is a Mid-Range Chip
The Nothing Phone 4a is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset. That is a solid mid-range chip, and it handles everyday tasks beautifully — scrolling, browsing, multitasking, video playback. No issues there.
But when you push it with demanding games, the limitations become obvious.
Well-Optimized Games Are Fine
Games like PUBG and Call of Duty run fine on the Nothing Phone 4a. Frame rates are stable, and the experience is smooth. If you only play these lighter, well-optimized titles, you will be happy.
Demanding Games Struggle
But when you move to more graphically intensive games like Wuthering Waves or Genshin Impact, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 struggles.
What we experienced:
- Medium visual settings at 40fps: Playable, but frame rates are inconsistent. Occasional drops into the high teens and low 20s.
- 60fps: The phone cannot handle it. Frame rates are all over the place, and the experience is janky.
After gaming for over an hour, the phone got noticeably warm (though it did not throttle). But the inconsistent frame rates are frustrating if you are used to flagship-level performance.
What Competitors Offer
Here is the problem: competitors at this price point offer better gaming performance.
- OnePlus 12R: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (flagship-level performance)
- POCO F6: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (better gaming performance)
- iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (flagship chip at mid-range price)
If gaming is a priority for you, there are better options than the Nothing Phone 4a.
Bottom line: The Nothing Phone 4a is fine for casual gaming, but serious mobile gamers should look elsewhere.
Bonus Issue: eSIM Only Works in Japan
Here is a frustrating quirk that affects a small but growing number of users: eSIM support is only available in Japan.
If you live in India, the UK, or anywhere else, you are stuck with physical SIM cards only. That is frustrating in 2026, when eSIM adoption is growing and dual-SIM flexibility is increasingly important.
This is not a dealbreaker for most people, but it is another example of Nothing cutting corners in frustrating ways.
So Should You Avoid the Nothing Phone 4a Entirely?
Not necessarily. Despite these flaws, the Nothing Phone 4a is still genuinely good. The design is unique, the display is excellent, the battery life is solid, and the cameras are impressive for the price.
But you need to go in with your eyes open. If any of the issues we have covered are dealbreakers for you, there are better alternatives.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you want wireless charging:
- Samsung Galaxy A55 (₹35,000–₹40,000)
- Google Pixel 8a (₹40,000–₹45,000)
If you want better software support:
- Google Pixel 8a (7 years of OS updates)
- Samsung Galaxy A55 (5 years of OS updates)
If you want better gaming performance:
- OnePlus 12R (₹40,000)
- POCO F6 (₹30,000–₹35,000)
- iQOO Neo 9 Pro (₹35,000–₹40,000)
If you want a bigger battery:
- Realme GT 6 (6,500 mAh, ₹35,000)
- iQOO Z9 Pro (6,000 mAh, ₹25,000–₹30,000)
The Bottom Line: A Good Phone with Frustrating Compromises
The Nothing Phone 4a is a genuinely good mid-range phone with a unique design, solid performance, and excellent battery life. But it is not perfect, and the compromises are frustrating — especially at ₹32,000–₹37,000.
Avoid the Nothing Phone 4a if:
- You need wireless charging (it does not have it)
- You want long-term software support (only 3 OS updates)
- You are a serious mobile gamer (the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 struggles with demanding games)
- You want loud, balanced speakers (they are weak and unbalanced)
- You want the biggest battery possible (5,080 mAh is smaller than competitors)
Still worth considering if:
- You love the unique transparent design and Glyph Bar
- You want a triple camera setup with telephoto zoom
- You are okay with wired charging only
- You are a light-to-medium gamer
- You want excellent battery life (even if it is not class-leading)
At the end of the day, the Nothing Phone 4a is a good phone with frustrating flaws. Whether those flaws are dealbreakers depends entirely on what you prioritize.
Make your decision wisely.
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