Nothing hijacks Apple’s March event invite, and Carl Pei spray-paints over it with a rival launch date

Nothing has confirmed that its Phone 4a series will debut on March 5, 2026, one day after Apple’s expected iPhone event. As detailed by Android Authority, the company revealed the date while directly referencing Apple’s March 4 invite.

Nothing co-founder and CEO Carl Pei shared the move on X, digitally spray-painting “Nothing” and “5 March” over Apple’s official event graphic. The tactic generated attention online ahead of the company’s formal announcement.

After weeks of cryptic teasers, Nothing issued an official invite confirming the launch will take place on March 5, 2026, at 5:30 AM ET in London. The event will be streamed live via Nothing Tech.

Nothing positions Phone 4a launch directly after Apple’s event

Apple’s March 4 event is widely expected to introduce the iPhone 17e, an entry-level model reportedly priced at $599. The broader news cycle has also included the Hyatt chairman stepping down. The Nothing Phone 4a series is not positioned as a direct competitor, but pricing details suggest the standard 4a could land around $475, with the 4a Pro closer to $540.

Leaks indicate the Phone 4a lineup will run on Snapdragon 7s processors, with configurations offering up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The devices are also expected to feature updates to Nothing’s Glyph interface and revised camera hardware.

Battery capacity on the standard model is rumored to see a modest increase. The 4a Pro is expected to include an IP65 rating and possibly eSIM support, expanding durability and carrier flexibility.

One prominent leaker has suggested that current owners of the Nothing Phone 3a series may not need to upgrade immediately, indicating that the changes could be incremental for some users. Separate reporting has tracked Spain child safety probe. Full specifications and pricing details are expected to be confirmed during the March 5 event.