Nothing Phone (4a): The hidden gem in the mid-range category?

The Nothing Phone (4a) builds on the strengths of its predecessor and improves the overall package in all the right places. Particularly notable are the significantly brighter 120Hz OLED display, the smooth everyday performance of the new Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 SoC, and the revamped camera setup. Above all, the new periscope zoom camera sets the smartphone apart from many mid-range competitors. Photos appear detailed and natural in good lighting conditions, while the optical zoom also delivers surprisingly strong results.

Added to this is the signature transparent Nothing design with the eye-catching Glyph LEDs on the back, which can be customized and give the device a high recognition factor. The battery life is also impressive in everyday use, as is the clean and pleasantly minimalist Nothing OS interface. The device’s main weaknesses lie in the comparatively short update guarantee of only three Android versions and the heat buildup under heavy load.

In a direct comparison with the Redmi Note 15 5G, the Nothing Phone feels significantly higher-quality and more modern. While the Redmi traditionally stands out for its strong value for money, large battery, and equally bright AMOLED display, the Nothing model clearly leads the way in terms of camera quality, software experience, and design. HyperOS, in particular, feels much more cluttered and less elegant compared to Nothing OS. The Redmi is therefore aimed more at price-conscious users who are primarily looking for a lot of features for little money.

The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G, on the other hand, takes a different approach. Samsung focuses less on extravagant design or technical highlights and more on balance and long-term usability. Performance is solid, the cameras are reliable, and the Super AMOLED display is high-quality, even if it doesn’t quite match the vibrancy of the Nothing Phone. The biggest advantage of the Galaxy A37, however, lies in its software policy: Samsung offers significantly longer Android and security updates, making the device particularly attractive for users who want to use their smartphone for many years.