Nothing Phone 4b hands-on: Great on specs, but is Rs 34,999 justified?

Nothing has unveiled its inaugural B-series device, the Nothing Phone (4b), entering the competitive mid-range smartphone arena with a price tag of Rs. 34,999. This smartphone boasts a minimalist design characterized by the Glyph Bar, a dual camera system, a powerful Snapdragon processor, and an impressive 6000mAh battery. However, the pressing question remains: is it truly worth the investment? The Nothing Phone (4b) showcases a unibody structure, drawing inspiration from the Phone (4a) Pro. It features an enhanced camera assembly encased in a thermoplastic polyurethane layer, which also integrates the Glyph Bar. Alongside its traditional colors of White and Black, a new Blue variant has been introduced. Our initial impressions of the Blue model are mixed, but the White and RCB Edition options are visually striking and resonate more with the brand's identity. With a thickness of 8.6 mm and a weight of 210 grams, the device has a sturdy feel, which can be attributed to the substantial battery capacity. The smartphone features a 6.77-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits. While these specifications sound promising, our thorough testing of the display's performance is still pending. Initial observations indicate a smooth interface and consistent brightness, though the uneven bezel may detract from the overall experience. On the camera front, the Nothing Phone (4b) is equipped with a dual setup, comprising a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Over two days of testing, the camera showed potential, particularly given its price point. It operates on Nothing OS 4.1, built on Android 16, ensuring a seamless and uncluttered user experience. The main camera delivers sharp details and vibrant colors in well-lit conditions, while the ultra-wide lens produces acceptable images—though further evaluation is needed for low-light scenarios. Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (4b) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, complemented by 8GB of RAM and storage options of up to 256GB UFS 2.2. Although concerns regarding the UFS storage might arise, performance testing is still underway. What stands out is the exceptional battery life; even after extensive use over two days, the device retained 62% of its charge. While the Nothing Phone (4b) shows promise, potential buyers may want to hold off for a comprehensive review before making a purchase decision.