Nothing has shared a new YouTube video in which CEO Carl Pei talks about the company’s 2026 roadmap, which includes a surprising decision: there won’t be a new flagship phone this year. Instead, the current Phone (3) will remain the brand’s top-tier device throughout 2026.
That doesn’t mean Nothing is staying quiet, though. Pei confirmed that the company is preparing a major refresh for its more affordable lineup with the upcoming Phone (4a). Slotted into the (a) series, this model is being positioned as a big leap forward rather than a minor update.
Phone (4a)
According to Pei, the Phone (4a) is designed to deliver a flagship-like experience while still sitting below the true flagship tier in the lineup. Nothing is focusing on more premium materials and what he describes as a bold new design language, with the company planning to experiment with fresh colour options to set the phone apart visually.
Under the hood and on the surface, multiple areas are in need of serious upgrades. The display, camera system, and overall performance are all expected to see noticeable improvements. Internally, Nothing is calling the Phone (4a) a “complete evolution” compared with last year’s Phone (3a), signalling that this will be more than just incremental tweaks.
The launch doesn’t seem far off either. The Nothing Phone (4a) has already been spotted in the TDRA certification database in the UAE, a common sign that an official announcement is imminent.
For now, the Phone (3) 5G remains Nothing’s flagship offering. It’s available in configurations such as 12GB RAM with 256GB storage and 16GB RAM with 512GB storage, while the current Phone (3a) sits below it in price with 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB variants.
With the flagship line taking a break this year, the spotlight in 2026 is clearly shifting to the Phone (4a). If Nothing manages to deliver on its promise of a flagship-like experience at a lower price point, the (a) series could become the company’s most compelling option for a lot of buyers.
