Pink preview: Nothing Phone (4a) reveals Glyph Bar, triple camera and translucent color options
Nothing has revealed the Nothing Phone (4a) in an official photo and a follow-up video that shows a subdued pink finish, giving a clear look at a new nine-LED Glyph Bar, a triple camera and a translucent effect ahead of a 5 March, 10: 30 GMT launch.
Design reveal and launch timing
The company posted the device image with the line "Built different. Phone (4a). 5 March, 10: 30 GMT. " The reveal presents the complete back design, showing a pill-shaped triple camera arrangement and a translucent back that follows Nothing's previous transparency theme. Nothing has hinted that the Phone (4a) Pro will appear at the same event.
Pink finish runs through glass and resin
The new pink color is shown side by side with white in a promotional video; the video says the glass is tinted pink and the resin underneath is also pink, creating a full hardware color rather than a surface overlay. The pink tone is described as subdued, evoking classic translucent game consoles and Apple’s classic pink Mac.
Glyph Bar replaced LED strips with nine mini LEDs
Instead of LED strips, the Phone (4a) uses a Glyph Bar made up of nine individual mini LEDs. Nothing says the mini LEDs are 40% brighter than the equivalents on the Nothing Phone (3a) and are designed for a "more natural, neutral, bleed-free glow. " How the Glyph Bar will be customised remains unclear in the provided context, though the video shows the company exploring interactions with Glyph Toys from Nothing Phone.
Hardware expectations and a left-side control
Pre-launch information says the Phone (4a) is expected to run on Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 hardware, offer a 6. 7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and carry a triple camera similar to the Nothing Phone (3a). The handset shows a button on the left-hand side that is likely an Essential Key intended to access AI-powered content-capture features.
How the design aims to fix Phone 3's problems
Early reviewers praised Nothing OS and the Phone 3's camera trio but criticised the Phone 3's revamped back and its Glyph Matrix as a flawed design that made first-party cases scarce at launch. Case makers Ringke and Spigen later offered options, while Nothing has focussed on apparel rather than a first-party case, the reviewer wrote. The Phone (4a) moves to a simpler, pill-shaped camera bump — likened to a recent Pixel or a Galaxy S10 in proportions — which the reviewer says should make it easier for case designers to produce protective covers without complex cutouts.
Glyph Matrix complaints and the promised improvement
The reviewer said the Glyph Matrix on Phone 3 felt "dead on arrival" and was rarely used beyond checking charging status or following the progress of an Uber across a circular LED array. The new Glyph Bar is described as closer to the original Glyph Interface — a series of lights rather than a small animated display — and should allow simpler case solutions such as a transparent section or a cutout to reveal the lighting. The redesign may still force case makers back to the drawing board, the reviewer noted.
Some previews include affiliate-commission disclaimers stating that purchases through links may earn a commission. Nothing has also been teasing color experiments beyond pink, showing blue, black and white elements and earlier teases that used yellow dots.
The next confirmed milestone is the Phone (4a) launch scheduled for 5 March, 10: 30 GMT; the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is expected to be announced at the same event.
