Nothing Phone 4a Price Leak: $100 Hike Over 3a – Worth It?

Nothing's Next Move Comes With a Steep Price Tag

Nothing has barely finished celebrating the launch of its Phone 3a Community Edition, and already, the internet is buzzing about what comes next. A detailed leak from developer MlgmXyysd on Telegram has spilled the beans on the Nothing Phone 4a and Phone 4a Pro—and the numbers are raising eyebrows across the tech community.

The leaked pricing suggests the Phone 4a will retail for approximately $475 (roughly ₹43,000), while the Phone 4a Pro jumps to around $540 (approximately ₹48,500). For context, the current Phone 3a launched at $379, and the 3a Pro at $459. That's nearly a 25% price increase for the standard model and an 18% bump for the Pro variant.

So what exactly is Nothing offering to justify these numbers? Let's break down everything the leak reveals.

The Processor Split: A Significant Strategic Shift

Perhaps the most interesting revelation concerns the chipset strategy. Unlike the Phone 3a series where both models shared the same Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, Nothing appears to be creating a clear performance hierarchy this time around.

The Phone 4a is reportedly getting the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4—essentially a minor refresh over last year's chip with a 7% performance improvement. The prime Cortex-A720 core now clocks at 2.7 GHz compared to 2.5 GHz on its predecessor. Solid, but not revolutionary.

The Phone 4a Pro, however, allegedly steps up to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4—a genuinely significant upgrade that Qualcomm launched in May 2025. This chip delivers a 27% jump in CPU performance, a 30% boost in GPU rendering, and a massive 65% increase in AI efficiency. AnTuTu scores reportedly jump from around 818K to over 1,086K.

This processor differentiation makes the Pro variant's premium feel more justified than the standard model's price hike.

India Launch: Regulatory Hurdles Already Cleared

For Indian buyers, there's concrete evidence that the Phone 4a is well on its way. The device appeared on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification database on November 13, 2025, carrying the model number A069. The Phone 4a Pro is listed as A069P, following Nothing's established naming convention (the Phone 3a was A059).

The BIS listing reveals something else notable: the Phone 4a will be manufactured locally in Uttar Pradesh by Padget Electronics Pvt. Ltd. This aligns with Nothing's broader "Make in India" commitment and could potentially influence final pricing in the Indian market.

Based on historical launch patterns and regulatory timelines, industry analysts expect the Phone 4a to arrive in India between January and March 2026. The global launch is anticipated around March 2026, mirroring the Phone 3a series timeline.

Expected India Pricing: The Real Numbers

While the leaked $475 and $540 figures represent global pricing, early estimates suggest the Nothing Phone 4a could land in India between ₹25,999 and ₹29,999 for the base variant. The Phone 4a Pro is expected to command ₹30,000 to ₹35,000.

For comparison, here's how the current lineup sits:

The leaked pricing suggests the Phone 4a's 12GB/256GB variant at $475 would represent a meaningful jump from the Phone 3a's equivalent configuration.

What's New Beyond the Processor

The leak outlines several other changes coming to the 4a series.

Color Options: Nothing is expanding the palette. The Phone 4a series will reportedly arrive in Blue, Pink, White, and Black. The addition of Pink marks a first for Nothing's smartphone lineup and signals a push toward broader audience appeal.

eSIM Support: Only the Phone 4a Pro will support eSIM, continuing the differentiation strategy from the 3a series. This matters particularly for users who want dual-SIM functionality without physical cards or those traveling internationally.

RAM and Storage: Both models will offer a 12GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration as the primary variant mentioned in pricing leaks.

Software: The Phone 4a is expected to launch with Android 16 out of the box, paired with Nothing OS 4.0. The company recently rolled out Nothing OS 4.0 in November 2025, so early 2026 devices should ship with this refined experience.

Camera Expectations: Incremental but Meaningful

Earlier leaks from separate sources suggest the Phone 4a could receive camera improvements, though specifications remain less concrete than pricing information.

Reports indicate a potential triple-camera system featuring a 64-megapixel main sensor (up from 50MP), a 50-megapixel telephoto lens, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide shooter. The front camera is expected to retain the 32MP sensor from the current generation.

Nothing hasn't confirmed any camera specifications, and these details carry lower confidence than the pricing and processor information.

The Price Hike Context: Why Now?

The nearly $100 increase on the Phone 4a doesn't exist in a vacuum. Industry observers point to several factors.

Component Costs: The semiconductor industry continues facing what some call "RAMmageddon"—memory prices have been climbing through 2025, affecting LPDDR5 RAM costs in particular. A device jumping to 12GB RAM as standard feels the pinch more than budget configurations.

Processor Premium: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 in the Pro model represents a genuine generational leap, and Qualcomm's pricing reflects that. Even the 7s Gen 4 in the standard model, despite modest improvements, carries newer component costs.

Market Positioning: Nothing may be deliberately moving upmarket. The Phone 3a's aggressive pricing won customers but squeezed margins. A higher price point with better specifications could establish Nothing more firmly in the upper mid-range segment where competitors like OnePlus and Samsung's Galaxy A series dominate.

What We Don't Know Yet

Several key details remain unconfirmed as of December 16, 2025:

1. Display specifications: Screen size, refresh rate, and brightness levels haven't been leaked. The Phone 3a featured a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel with 3000 nits peak brightness—expectations are that the 4a will match or exceed these.
2. Battery capacity and charging: The 3a series packed 5,000mAh batteries with 50W wired charging. Any upgrades here remain speculation.
3. US availability: Nothing's Beta Program for US sales has faced consistent carrier compatibility challenges. Whether the Phone 4a will expand official support remains unclear.
4. Nothing Headphone (a): The same leak mentions a new affordable headphone with a plastic body, launching alongside the Phone 4a series. Pricing and specifications for this accessory weren't disclosed.

The Verdict: Premium Price, Premium Expectations

Nothing built its reputation on delivering distinctive design and clean software at accessible price points. The Phone 4a's leaked pricing suggests the company is testing whether its loyal customer base will follow it upmarket.

For the Phone 4a Pro at $540, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor represents genuine flagship-approaching performance. Combined with eSIM support and presumably improved cameras, the value proposition holds—assuming execution matches the spec sheet.

The standard Phone 4a at $475 faces a tougher argument. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 offers only incremental improvements over its predecessor, yet the price jumps significantly. Nothing will need to deliver meaningful upgrades elsewhere—cameras, display, or software features—to justify the premium.

For Indian buyers, final pricing will determine whether the Phone 4a remains competitive against the OnePlus Nord series, iQOO's offerings, and Samsung's Galaxy A lineup. The BIS certification and local manufacturing are positive signals, but nothing speaks louder than the number on the price tag.

We'll update this article when Nothing officially announces the Phone 4a series. Based on historical patterns, expect more concrete information by February 2026.