Nothing just launched the Phone (4b). If you are looking at it, you have probably also seen the Redmi Turbo 5. Both phones cost around ₹35,000. But they are made for very different people. One phone cares about looks. The other phone cares about power. Let's look at both in detail.
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| image source ChatGPT |
Design and Build: Looks vs Toughness
Nothing phones are known for their look. The Phone (4b) has a see-through back panel. You can see the screws and parts inside. It also has the Glyph Bar. This is a strip of lights on the back. It lights up when you get a call or message. Some people love this. Some people find it silly. But it does make the phone stand out.
The Redmi Turbo 5 looks much simpler. It has a normal glass and metal body. It does have its own ring of lights around the camera. But it feels less special than Nothing's design. Redmi wins in one big way though. It is much tougher. It has IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings. This means it can handle hot water and heavy dust. The Nothing 4b only has IP64. This is fine for small water splashes. But it is not as strong.
Display: Sharpness vs Size
Both phones have 120Hz AMOLED screens. This means both feel smooth when you scroll. But Redmi's screen is sharper. It has a 1.5K screen. It also gets much brighter, up to 3,500 nits. The Nothing 4b has a bigger screen at 6.77 inches. But it is less sharp and less bright. You will notice this mostly outdoors in strong sunlight. The Redmi will be easier to read there.
Performance: No Real Fight Here
This is where Redmi wins by a lot. The Redmi Turbo 5 uses the Dimensity 8500 Ultra chip. Xiaomi says this chip beats the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro and the OnePlus Nord CE6 in tests. That shows how strong it is. The Nothing 4b uses the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chip. This chip is fine for normal use like WhatsApp, social media, and light gaming. But it is not made for heavy gaming. If you play a lot of games on your phone, Redmi is the clear winner.
Camera: Same Numbers, Different Results
Both phones have a similar camera setup. Both have a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide camera. On paper, they look the same. But Redmi's main camera has OIS. This helps take steady photos, especially at night. Some early reviews say Redmi's camera software still needs work though. So results can be mixed. Nothing's camera is more simple and steady. Good in daylight. Just okay at night. But it stays consistent.
Battery and Charging: Redmi Goes Bigger
Redmi wins clearly here too. The Turbo 5 has a big 7,540mAh battery. It also supports 100W fast charging. This is rare at this price. The Nothing 4b has a 6,000mAh battery in the India model. This is still good for a full day of use. But it only charges at 33W. So it takes much longer to charge fully compared to Redmi. Both phones run Android 16 out of the box. But they feel different to use. Nothing OS 4.1 is simple and clean. It feels close to basic Android. There is very little extra junk apps. Redmi's HyperOS 3 has more features. But it also comes with some extra apps and small annoyances.
Software and Updates
One good thing about Nothing: they promise 3 years of OS updates and 6 years of security updates. This is a strong promise for this price range. It is a good idea to check Xiaomi's official update plan for the Turbo 5 too, since this can change from phone to phone.
Price in India
The Nothing Phone (4b) costs ₹34,999 for the 8GB/128GB model. The Redmi Turbo 5 starts at ₹35,999 for the 8GB/256GB model. But it often sells closer to ₹37,999. The 12GB model costs up to ₹40,999. So both phones cost almost the same. This makes the choice harder, not easier.
Here is a quick comparison table first:
| Specification | Nothing Phone (4b) | Redmi Turbo 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.77" FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.59" 1.5K AMOLED, 120Hz, 3,500 nits |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 | MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra |
| RAM / Storage | 8GB, 128GB/256GB | 8GB/256GB, up to 12GB/512GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 8MP ultrawide | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 20MP |
| Battery | 6,000mAh (India model) | 7,540mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired | 100W wired |
| Build/Rating | IP64 | IP66 / IP68 / IP69 / IP69K |
| Software | Nothing OS 4.1, Android 16 | HyperOS 3, Android 16 |
| Special Feature | Glyph Bar (LED lights) | Pixel Matrix RGB ring |
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you want a phone that looks different and runs clean software, go for the Nothing Phone (4b). It's a great choice if you don't play heavy games. If you want raw power, a huge battery, and fast charging, go for the Redmi Turbo 5. You get flagship-level performance for mid-range price.