5 Android telephones you should purchase as a substitute of the Nothing Cellphone 4a

My colleague Adamya lately shared her first impressions of the Nothing Cellphone 4a, and spoiler alert, it’s a very good telephone. With its distinctive design, easy (however helpful) Glyph Bar, and respectable general specs, it’s a fairly compelling package deal for £349 — or somewhat over $470 in USD.

There’s only one downside with the Nothing Cellphone 4a: it isn’t accessible within the US. Whilst you may undergo the trouble of importing it, I wouldn’t advocate it. Not solely due to the complications that include a global telephone, but additionally as a result of there are many different glorious Android telephones to select from round that very same worth.

So, earlier than you get too upset about not with the ability to purchase the Nothing Cellphone 4a — or get too far down the rabbit gap seeking to purchase a UK mannequin — listed here are 5 different Android telephones you should purchase as a substitute.

As disappointing because the Nothing Cellphone 4a’s absence within the US could be, the excellent news is that its extra highly effective sibling — the Nothing Cellphone 4a Professional — is offered within the nation. Nothing’s launch technique here’s a bit unusual, however that’s OK, as a result of the Professional is a wonderful various to the bottom mannequin.

The obvious distinction between the 2 telephones is their design. The Professional ditches the all-transparent again in favor of a clear digicam island and Nothing’s Glyph Matrix secondary display (which you should utilize to see the time, set timers, and extra). The Nothing Cellphone 4a Professional additionally has a extra succesful Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip (in comparison with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 within the common Nothing Cellphone 4a), a brighter show with a quicker 144Hz refresh charge, and a barely extra sturdy IP65 score as a substitute of IP64.

Are these dramatic, game-changing upgrades? Not essentially. However for those who have been hoping to get the Nothing Cellphone 4a, the Professional offers you principally the identical expertise after which some. Mix that with correct US availability and a $499 price ticket, and it’s about nearly as good a substitute for the Nothing Cellphone 4a as you’ll discover.

That mentioned, if I had round $500 to spend on a brand new Android telephone, the Nothing Cellphone 4a Professional wouldn’t be my private selection. As a substitute, I’d decide up the Google Pixel 10a. Whereas not as eye-catching or distinctive because the Nothing Cellphone 4a, the Pixel 10a will get a lot else proper, and for what I worth in a telephone, it makes much more sense.

A type of is ergonomics. In comparison with the Nothing Cellphone 4a’s 6.78-inch show, the Pixel 10a’s 6.3-inch panel is far smaller and simpler to make use of one-handed. The Pixel is lighter, too, weighing over 20 grams lighter than Nothing’s smartphone. And, better of all, it’s one of many solely trendy Android telephones and not using a digicam bump. It’s a wonderful sight.

You don’t get a telephoto digicam on the Pixel 10a as you do on the Nothing Cellphone 4a, however the main and ultrawide sensors on Google’s telephone are so dependable that I don’t actually care. I additionally choose the Pixel 10a’s software program expertise, longer replace assist, and wi-fi charging — a characteristic the Nothing Cellphone 4a doesn’t have.

Is the Pixel 10a somewhat boring? Certain. Is it barely an improve in comparison with the Pixel 9a? For sure. But it surely’s additionally an Android telephone I sit up for utilizing every time I decide it up, and I feel that speaks volumes — particularly for a telephone that prices $499.

If the Nothing Cellphone 4a is likely one of the extra visually distinct Android telephones in the marketplace at the moment, you possibly can simply argue that the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is likely one of the most boring. It appears like each Galaxy S telephone launched over the past a number of years, and definitely isn’t turning any heads with its design. Nevertheless, for those who can look previous that, it’s a fairly strong various to spending your cash on the Nothing Cellphone 4a.

How so? It’s all in regards to the specs. The S25 FE’s Exynos 2400 chipset affords higher CPU and GPU efficiency than the Nothing Cellphone 4a’s Qualcomm chip. Samsung’s telephone helps wi-fi charging, has a extra full software program interface in One UI, and can obtain seven years of updates as a substitute of simply three. It additionally has a lot stronger water resistance with an IP68 score, quicker storage, and higher video recording capabilities.

Absolutely that each one should value fairly a bit greater than the Nothing Cellphone 4a, proper? Technically, sure; the Galaxy S25 FE retails for $650. Nevertheless, given the telephone’s age, it’s nearly all the time on sale. For instance, on the time of writing, you should buy it for simply $500. At that worth, I feel it’s a straightforward decide over the Nothing Cellphone 4a.

All three of my suggestions to date have been at that very same $500 asking worth, much like what the Nothing Cellphone 4a would value you for those who imported it into the US. When you’re curious what you possibly can probably purchase for a lot much less, contemplate the Moto G Energy (2026). This is likely one of the latest additions to the Moto G household, and for the worth, it’s a fairly strong possibility.

What’s good about Motorola’s telephone? It has IP68 and IP69 rankings, a bigger battery (5,200mAh in comparison with Nothing’s 5,080mAh cell), expandable storage through microSD, and — sure — a 3.5mm headphone jack. To get all of that in a good-looking fake leather-based again with Pantone colours isn’t a nasty setup in any respect.

What’s the catch? The Moto G’s MediaTek processor isn’t as highly effective because the one contained in the Nothing Cellphone 4a. Motorola’s telephone additionally has slower storage, slower charging, and a much less compelling digicam setup. These are massive issues to think about.

The Moto G Energy (2026) is much from an ideal telephone, however at a beginning worth of solely $300, its compromises are a lot simpler to deal with. It prices a heck of rather a lot lower than what you’d pay for getting a Nothing Cellphone 4a into the States, and it’s an general strong Android handset besides.

Final however actually not least, we have now the OnePlus 13R. This can be a telephone I hold recommending much more than a yr after its launch, and it’s as a result of it’s simply that good. It’s additionally a little bit of a polar reverse in comparison with the Nothing Cellphone 4a. The place that telephone prioritizes a flashy design and pairs it with mid-tier specs, the OnePlus 13R settles for a fairly tame design in favor of a spec sheet that blows Nothing’s smartphone out of the water.

Due to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the OnePlus 13R delivers significantly better CPU, GPU, and storage efficiency in comparison with the Nothing Cellphone 4a. The OnePlus 13R additionally has a considerably bigger 6,000mAh battery and far quicker 80W wired charging. If efficiency, battery life, and quick charging are your high three priorities, the OnePlus 13R is the simple selection.

The largest draw back to the OnePlus 13R? Availability. OnePlus stopped promoting the telephone months in the past, and availability at Amazon and Greatest Purchase is hit-or-miss. Nevertheless, if yow will discover the telephone accessible for buy — at its $599 retail worth or doubtless much less at this level — it’s nonetheless nicely price shopping for.