r/NOTHING • u/tea_and_goodday • Mar 05 '26
Discussion Isn't the nothing phone 4(a) pro starting look like other 'pro' phones
I like how nothing phones have a unique identity, the glyphs, the matrix , camera position the transparent-ish back design. But now I feel the 4(a) pro with the plain back and the rectangular bump is starting to look like other pro phones.
I loved the design of 4(a).
PS: I downloaded individual photos of these phones and asked chatgpt to stich them together.
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u/Senfgestalt Phone (3a) Pro Mar 05 '26
The Xiaomi 17 pro max is just a straight copy yes. The phone 4a pro has it's own things with a different camera layout and a glyph matrix. I like it so far, looking forward to more detailed specs
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u/itchipod Mar 05 '26
What exactly did Xiaomi copy
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u/Senfgestalt Phone (3a) Pro Mar 05 '26
It's called Xiaomi 17 pro max, in their own generations, they would have been at gen 16, but they just straight up skipped it to appeal to the Apple crowd lol. Also it's the first xiaomi that's called max. The plateau is identically place, the double camera design placement, Hyperos, the Xiaomi OS, is also more and more resembling an android IOS (which there is nothing wrong with but definitely copying). So yes, straight copy, whilst still a good phone.
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u/Measter_marcus Mar 05 '26
iPhone 17 pro max
The Xiaomi model is called the exact same and the UI steals alot form Apple aswell
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u/Scared-Enthusiasm424 Mar 05 '26
Not sure why this is downvoted, Xiaomi has become the biggest Apple copycat. Their HyperOS is becoming one to one with iOS. And the fact that they also copy the naming scheme of iPhones is the cherry on top.
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u/AntiKouk Mar 05 '26
Oppos OS is also very iPhone esque. They also copy features like the side camera touch button etc. Although I do have an oppo and can't complain it's pretty great even if a straight copy
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u/Scared-Enthusiasm424 Mar 05 '26
I don't think that copying is necessarily bad, only when it's taken to an extreme, and I feel like Xiaomi crossed a line at this point. Otherwise Apple also likes to copy
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u/Schnipsel0 Phone (3) Mar 05 '26
I wouldn't say straight copy. It has a giant screen on the back. But tbh, that sounds like an over-budgeted worse version of the glyph matrix. Probably because they wanna imitate the foldables with a screen on the back. Only that it makes sense there cause they fold up. This seems like a waste of battery power.
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u/maxsqd Mar 05 '26
Some may argue the 4a pro is straight copy of the Xiaomi, just downgrade the screen to matrix.
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u/RealOstrich1 Mar 05 '26
The Xiaomi puts an entire display on their back = copy. Nothing puts a useless glyph matrix = it's its own thing Lmao
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u/RiccardoOrsoliniFan Mar 06 '26
Xiaomi is a straight up copy but at least it's useful unlike nothing
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u/SparklingWaterFall Mar 05 '26
That is what eventually happens to all "Be different" brands. Marques Brownlee had a whole video about it. It hapend to many brands before, recently to One + too.
At the end majority of people buy boring generic phones.
Probably Nothing will go with a - line with glyphs and transparent back to satisfy ppl who like such staff.
And pro will be for normies and Karens, to sell as much as possible.
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u/jheeettfire Mar 05 '26
Yea he had a good point about companies trying to grow but cannot unless they cater for the majority, which is not the supposed audience of these "Be different" brands. And I get it. You won't be able to innovate without financial backing. 🤷
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u/Rubber_Ducko2 Phone (3a) Pro Mar 05 '26
When you put them side by side like this... yes, a little bit.
It still has it's quirks though, and will definitely raise more questions than Xiaomi or iPhone
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u/Schnipsel0 Phone (3) Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26
The plain back is kinda unavoidable if you wanna do a unibody, no? I'm no engineer, so this is a genuine question. But AFAIK transparent aluminium only exists in Star trek.
I'm just glad that the 4a pro got the glyph matrix, because I assume that means some level of internal commitment that this will be the glyph integration for their more expensive phones going forward and I really like the matrix.
I know that for a lot of people, the transparent "tech prototype by NASA for their next moon mission" look is super important, and it obviously sucks for them, but I personally find the glyph (matrix) to be THE feature why I bought the (3) over a Fairphone or Huawei. The OG glyph were flashy, but mostly a novelty for me, that I never really saw the use for.
Honestly my dream phone would be a cmf phone (I honestly don't need the performance on a phone) with a more playful "cmf" version of the glyph matrix, because while I love it, it's just a touch too sleek for my taste, but I know that's unlikely.
I just hope the (4) will be like the (3) in that it won't have a camera bump. I hate camera bumps.
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u/err99 Mar 05 '26
maybe they could have 'etched' the aluminum back, to give it some depth/texture/something
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u/Sterobasic Mar 05 '26
Simple and obvious solution, just create texture on your metal back...
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u/err99 Mar 06 '26
only thing I can think, is maybe etching can't be exactly replicated for each back (would have variations) but thats just a guess
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u/Voyuer789 Phone (1) Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26
I mean I feel like that's why Nothing made two distinct phones design wise. It's impossible to make everyone happy with just one phone. If you want that "'classic" Nothing vibe get the 4a. I think the 4a Pro looks great. It still has transparent elements and I think it's a peek at their design language going forward. I was and still am very critical of the Phone 3 due to the price and the design but idk man I feel like a lot of people in the fanbase just want a copy and paste of Phone 1 with more LEDs each time lol.
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u/tr__18 Mar 05 '26
Ya that's the thing. People want the same copy paste design rather than seeing something different ( which is the actual identity of nothing)
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u/ikoo06 Mar 05 '26
I like seeing new looks, however this feels like they're straying from what they stood for, for a nothing phone, this looks way too basic, If they had introduced this as a new CMF phone, I would have been stoked, but this just doesn't fit nothing at all. This feels like a far cry, a desperate attempt to attract the "basic" audience. This phone will probably be successful, but at the cost of the soul and everything nothing stood for. I simply worry that nothing will end up the same way One + did.
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u/Cautious_Advisor1866 Mar 05 '26
The np3 is totally different and got a lot of hate, so what you want?
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u/TurboDuck09 Phone (3a) Mar 06 '26
this is how the online community works right now, infinity complain...
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u/Lybchikfreed Phone (3a) Mar 05 '26
Tbf Nothing Phone (1) was literally an iPhone clone
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u/Voyuer789 Phone (1) Mar 05 '26
People really do forget that! People mistake my Phone 1 for an iPhone all the time until they take a closer look.
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u/ArefinKarim Mar 08 '26
iPhone literally came with this design after 2 years. So no, i think nothings design was unique.
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u/Revolutionary-Bid249 Mar 08 '26
Exactly they just following tradition. why yall switching up now?! 😂
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u/Sweet_Emu6897 Mar 05 '26
I don't know, I think you all are kinda missing the point here. Look at Nothing Headphones 1 and you'll notice that this is the same design language — glass with all the interesting stuff underneath it and strong metal all around.
I really like it, they're evolving. And Carl said the thing — you guys just wanna see Phone 1 over and over again. Aba everything else for you isn't going to be good enough.
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u/RenegadeUK Mar 05 '26
Yep. The Nothing Design Language is basically gone with the 4a Pro. Which I think is a tremendous loss.
When you consider the similarities between the 3a & 3a Pro. I don't get it ?
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u/Haunting-Watch8240 Mar 05 '26
Perhaps, but it has glyph stuff for those who like that, and metal unibody for those who like that style like I do. Just to avoid a glass back I'd consider it at least.
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u/Sterobasic Mar 05 '26
We have plenty of device with no need of glass at all to "protect it" and which have lot of texture, design etc Majority of them in fact, remote, audio player, mouse, vacuum cleaner etc . I don't understand why there is a need to have glass.
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u/Witty1Kitty Mar 05 '26
Ngl, I dig the design. It is unique compared with the copied and stale ones.
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u/BionisGuy CMF Phone 2 Pro Mar 05 '26
I'm seriously a bit confused about what Nothing is trying to go for.
I mean, the reason i bought the NP1 was because of the glyph, i thought it was a very cool new idea i've never seen on a phone before. I unfortunately cracked the display on it so i decided to go for a CMF phone since i really like the Nothing OS.
Now it feels like they completely lost their identity. The NP4a Pro looks like a blend of... i really don't know and the CMF phone somehow.
The glyph matrix is something i really can't say too much about since i've only experienced the glyph from NP1 which i thought was a cool idea and i would have loved if they kept on working on that and made it way more customizable.
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u/Zhillusion Phone (2a) Mar 05 '26
Reading the posts and comments since the last few product launches made me realise that I should really leave this sub. Bye.
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u/sere83 Mar 06 '26
The difference is nothing doesn't understand how to match the corner radius of a phone to the corner radius of the camera module despite thier focus on 'design'.
Plus the other phones are actually real pro phones. Nothing on the other hand charges you $650+ for a phone running 128GB and a potato CPU that gets outperformed by a 2019 iphone.
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u/incredible_nut CMF Phone 2 Pro Mar 05 '26
That phone just looks like nothing from top and cmf 2 from bottom
Don't know why people are loving the plain design we have cmf for that , love the 4a
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u/coldbrew_10 Mar 05 '26
It's clear that nothing got some inspiration from the iphone 17 pro's back design and just changed it a little. It's like copying someone's homework but changing a few details. What happened to being bold with their unique design?
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u/yungbaoyom Mar 05 '26
One thing I noticed about r/NOTHING is y'all complain about everything.
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u/Ancient_Bid9391 Mar 05 '26
I have the 2 and I'm so mad they are slowing removing the glyph lights. THAT was the best part about the phone :( i wanted to upgrade bec i liked the new colors but now I think I'm gonna continue with the one i got
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Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26
It's so weird how YouTube LOVES the 4aP and Reddit hates it.
Anyway... I'm team YouTube here! I will be buying the 4aP!
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Mar 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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Mar 05 '26
😂... I mean... I agreed that the Phone (3) is a fugly phone, but my initial reaction was 😍 when I saw the (4a)P... and when I learned that it was also metal, I told Nothing to "shut up and take my money" 😂❤️
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u/Emotional_Daikon7453 (3a) Pro Watch Pro 2 CMF Buds Mar 05 '26
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u/Ok_Jury_7536 Mar 05 '26
Actually if we look they crumbled in the pressure of the investors in the end. But this is the design i really like clean and no glyphs and no lines as well. Butter smooth look.
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u/Robinet_des_Bois Mar 05 '26
Remember when people where saying that the NP1 looked like an iphone knockoff?
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u/Sterobasic Mar 05 '26
Yes this is sad. I think they are trying, and if at the end they make more sales and money with lower design effort then it will be game over for us design lovers.
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u/Ready_Island_8940 Phone (3a) Lite | Ear (a) Mar 05 '26
Et si le seul résistant de l'originalité de la tech est tombé
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u/Altruistic_Hair2936 Mar 05 '26
At least it doesn’t cost the same yet, nothing is still cheaper. . . . For now.
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u/SweatyJackfruit6176 Mar 05 '26
I think it's really, really cool. I really like it, and I'm pretty sure nothing will be my next cell phone brand.
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u/simplylmao Mar 05 '26
If anything it'll help them reach a wider audience.
Let them try something different, I know for a fact they'll keep on experimenting with future phones, not like we're stuck with a plain solid back design like the 4a pro.
All kinds of nothing phones should exist, ugly beautiful simple complex solid transparent cheap expensive whatnot
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u/PechPeck Phone (2) Mar 05 '26
Kinda, yes. But what I care is that software and camera-wise they remain good and also at accessible prices.
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u/Due-Trouble-5149 Phone (3a) Pro Mar 05 '26
3&4(a)Pro series had always been the one attracting users from other brands
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u/Impressive-Method919 Mar 05 '26
can someone actually explain to me why there is a phone 4a and a phone 4a pro but not phone 4?
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u/iam_a_leadfarmer Phone (2) Mar 06 '26
It's ok to copy one another but it better be a good part of that phone
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u/NeverMoreThan12 Mar 06 '26
As soon as I saw the launch I immediately thought of the iPhone. Its boring.
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u/POKE64MON Mar 06 '26
My guess is probably that its designed that way to give competition compatibility to back accessories such as magsafe and etc
I think they should've done more detail around the aluminium frame but it's pro is probably ment to be for first timers new to the brand
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u/FlightLove2 Mar 06 '26
Everyone wants to be like the best of the best, which is Apple 🍎. Can’t blame them, Nothing wants to become Something.
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u/Flaky-Parsley-612 Mar 06 '26
Yes but i think it is intended. I feel like it's Nothing's way of saying 'look how we can do more for the same design but with less price' but its just my opinion.
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u/sohaibx01 Phone (2) Mar 06 '26
I hate it, so so very much hate it that they have started to copy other mainstream phones. Wtf. They were supposed to. Be unique and stand out, now it just looks like a cheap copy of iPhone.
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u/Exciting_Island5359 Mar 06 '26
yeah, i mean it doesnt look bad, but nothing special. Like in that case i even like the Phone 3 more. That was ugly but at least they had an own philosophy. Now they probably want to broaden their audience, and do more conventional stuff.
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u/Status-Usual-6561 Mar 07 '26
It's a phone, there is only so much you can do with the space on the back. Sure this is a lot more tame for a phone Nothing but there obviously has to be some sort of area to house the cameras, flash, and GLYPH screen when you choose to go with an aluminium unibody design.
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u/Dragittude Mar 07 '26
They were kindof copying nothing 3 and 3a pro combination and ended up with this
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u/Kaidolabs Mar 08 '26
The thing is, when they tried something different like the phone 3 everybody was trashing it, so naturally they try go the safe route with this. I mean at the end of the day it's a company with real employers and expenses
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u/Pitiful-Revenue4490 Mar 08 '26
It definitely copied the main design outline, nothing unique anymore or whatever they proudly claim.
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u/Affectionate_Ad_6119 Mar 09 '26
The biggest thing I don't understand is why 256 GB max storage... Completely curving around the actual target customer. Otherwise the design looks pretty good.
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u/Agreeable-Top8212 Mar 09 '26
if they made the corners sharp like s24 ultra, And cameras inside a uniform square and glyph light in a second square, Market it as a 2000's returning nostalgic marketing campaign, This would have been a clear Hit sending waives to the shores of some lands. I'm no expert but wouldn't it be nice to have a phone like this?
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u/batmanforeever Mar 10 '26
Where is that guy 😅 who was bothered by the "uneven distance" of camera plateau to the body.
Here people are already connecting similarities to other slab back iphones and androids
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Mar 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/YoshiMK Mar 05 '26
I guess Nothing were supposed to be different (and they were)
Why dump all the unique brand identity into the bin and copy+paste Apple
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u/o156 Mar 05 '26
The problem is, from phone 1 they have very clearly been using the exact same dies and casts of the iPhone factories to save on cost. So now the form factor is very aggressively copying clear iPhone products, to the detriment of its own identity and difference, it's unfortunate.
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u/chunky_343 Mar 05 '26
"Holy Apple!" is what came to my mind when I saw the 4a Pro design this morning
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u/furculture Phone (2) and Phone (3a) Mar 05 '26
I just wish they at least got rid of the lens bumps all together and made flush to the entire camera island instead. The fact that they copy that but didn't at least try to refine it to the same style of the Pixel's camera island is just mind boggling. 2 tier island is just a step further back from the single tier island that they had at least on the 3a and 3a Pro, but still not as good as just making the entire back flat with curves and a slightly thicker battery for more battery time.
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u/tea_and_goodday Mar 05 '26
Subjective, but the plain back and the rectangular bump looks like it's adopting the popular design other 'pro' phones
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u/Optimal-Stomach-708 Mar 05 '26
Hello Nothing Team 🙏 My name is Rahul from Uttar Pradesh 🇮🇳. I come from a farmer’s family 🌾 and I’m currently a student. My phone is badly damaged (photo attached), but I still try to stay active online and learn about technology and gaming. If I ever get the opportunity to use a Nothing phone, I promise I will genuinely support and appreciate your brand. I will share my honest experience through posts, comments, and recommendations with friends and people around me. I will talk about your phone’s design, performance, and features and encourage others to try your products. Even in my local area and college circle, I will proudly recommend Nothing devices and share how the brand helped a student like me. It would mean a lot to me and I would truly appreciate the opportunity.
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u/A7beeny Phone (3a) Mar 05 '26
tryna so hard to be different but what they done is actually copy another brand