Nothing Phone (4b): How bright is the display, really?

The display is one of the most striking features of the Nothing Phone (4b). At 6.77 inches, the AMOLED panel is generously sized and operates with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. Nothing lists a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. On paper, that sounds like a good foundation for outdoor use. However, our test reveals a different story. We measured a maximum of 1,160 cd/m². This puts the smartphone well below the advertised peak value.

That doesn’t mean the display is inherently dim. In everyday use, the brightness is sufficient in many situations. However, in direct sunlight, the Phone (4b) definitely reaches its limits. In such cases, it can be difficult to read content comfortably. Anyone who frequently takes photos, navigates, or reads messages outdoors is likely to notice the difference compared to a particularly bright panel.

So how can the Nothing still reach 2,000 nits? Manufacturer specifications for peak brightness often refer to specific testing conditions and very small, bright areas of the screen. Therefore, this value does not necessarily reflect the brightness that the entire display can sustain over time. That’s exactly why independent measurements are more meaningful in real-world use.

Aside from brightness, the 4b’s display is quite impressive. The 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth animations and scrolling, colors appear vibrant, and the large screen size is well-suited for videos and games. However, when it comes to PWM dimming, the Nothing 4b operates at only 480 Hz. The 2,000 cd/m² is therefore less of an everyday value and more of a technical peak value under specific conditions. Anyone who buys the Nothing 4b gets a good AMOLED display, but shouldn’t expect it to actually get that bright in real-world use.