Nothing launches mid-range Phone (4b) and Ear (3a) gadgets

Nothing launches mid-range Phone (4b) and Ear (3a) gadgets

Nothing has expanded its product line with the introduction of the Phone (4b) and Ear (3a), focusing on mid-range accessibility as hardware costs rise across the industry. The move comes amid a trend where AI data centers are straining the supply of memory and storage, contributing to higher consumer prices for technology.

The Phone (4b) is designed as a cost-effective alternative to the brand's other mid-range offerings. It features a plastic unibody and a design that blends elements of the 4a and 4a Pro, utilizing the glyph approach of the 4a with the larger transparent design elements found on the 4a Pro. In Australia, the device will be priced at $629, which is lower than the $649 cost of the Phone (4a) and the $949 price of the Phone (4a) Pro.

Technical specifications for the Phone (4b) include:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip
• Memory and Storage: 8GB RAM and 128GB storage
• Display: 6.77-inch Super AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate
• Cameras: A dual system consisting of a 50 megapixel wide lens and an 8 megapixel ultra-wide lens
• Battery: 5200mAh
• OS: Android-based operating system with built-in AI

Accompanying the handset is the Ear (3a), priced at $179. These earphones support active noise cancellation (ANC) and high-res audio. A notable inclusion is built-in memory that allows users to capture audio snapshots by squeezing the controls on the stem. These recordings, which can include speeches, conversations, or music, sync to the Nothing X app for transcription and can also be used to record calls.

The Ear (3a) provides up to 6 hours of playback with ANC enabled, with the charging case providing a total of 25 hours of battery life across four charges.

These releases follow a broader strategy from Nothing to pivot toward a "fashion-first" identity. Co-founder Carl Pei confirmed that the company is skipping a 2026 flagship release to allow the brand to mature, leaving the Phone (3) as the current top-tier model while the mid-range series evolves. This shift is led by Chief Brand Officer Charlie Smith, the former CMO of Loewe, who aims to position Nothing's tech as a wardrobe extension for trend-conscious consumers.

The brand's mid-range trajectory also includes the Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro. The Phone (4a), priced at 3,699 USD (470 USD), features a "Glyph Bar" with 63 mini-LEDs across seven zones. It is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor and includes a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Its camera setup includes a 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x zoom periscope optics.

The more premium Phone (4a) Pro, priced at 4,499 HKD (570 USD), introduces the company's first aircraft-grade full-metal aluminum unibody. It features a larger 6.83-inch AMOLED screen, a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The rear is dominated by a "Glyph Matrix" of 137 mini-LEDs, which are 100% brighter than the version found on the Phone (3). Both the (4a) and (4a) Pro utilize "Essential Space," an AI-powered searchable memory bank accessible via a physical "Essential Key" on the left side of the device.

Beyond smartphones, Nothing recently debuted the Headphone (a) at ComplexCon in Hong Kong, priced at 1,499 HKD (190 USD). These over-ear headphones weigh 310 grams and feature an IP52 rating. They offer adaptive ANC with battery life ranging from 75 hours (with ANC) to 135 hours (without ANC). The headphones use a tactile control system on the right cup, featuring a "Roller" for volume, a "Paddle" for skipping tracks, and a customizable "Button."

The Ear (3a) is available now via Nothing's website, while the Phone (4b) is scheduled to land on July 17.