Fairphone Takes Aim at Nothing Phone (4b): Visible Screws That Lead Nowhere

Nothing launched its Phone (4b) on July 7. The device carries a transparent back. Visible screws dot the rear panel. A pill-shaped LED light strip runs along one side. Yet one rival wasted little time calling out what it sees as style over substance.

Fairphone fired the first shot. In an Instagram story posted the same day, the Dutch company displayed its own Fairphone 6 next to the new Nothing model. Text overlaid on the image declared, “every screw is functional on Fairphones. Nothing is for show.” Below that came the jab: “next time, maybe the screws can be… outside?” The TechRadar article captured the exchange in full.

The remark stings because it strikes at the heart of what many buyers now demand. Repairability matters. Longevity counts. And in a market flooded with devices designed for two or three years of service before obsolescence, a phone that pretends to invite tinkering draws special scrutiny.

Nothing built its brand on transparent design. Glyph lights. Minimalist software. The Phone (4b) continues that tradition with a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel, Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. Cameras include a 50MP main sensor with optical stabilization and an 8MP ultrawide. Battery capacity lands at either 5,400mAh or 6,000mAh depending on the source. The device runs Nothing OS 4.1 based on Android 16. Pricing rumors point to around $317. Details come from reports in GSMArena and PhoneArena.

But those visible screws? They sit behind a glued panel. Owners cannot simply unscrew and access internals without prying and risking damage. Fairphone’s design, by contrast, puts functional screws on the exterior. Modules swap with basic tools. Batteries replace in minutes. The company scores top marks on repairability indexes while Nothing models typically earn mid-tier ratings.

And. This matters more than ever.

Consumers grow weary of glued-shut flagships that become e-waste after a shattered screen or swollen battery. European regulators push right-to-repair rules. Scores of buyers now check iFixit scores before purchase. Against that backdrop, a phone that advertises transparency yet hides its repair path feels like a marketing exercise.

Nothing has not responded directly to the Fairphone post. The company instead highlights the (4b) as its longest-lasting model yet, citing up to 46 hours of calls and strong battery endurance. Early images show the device in black, white and light blue finishes. The vertical LED bar and dual cameras give it a distinct if somewhat conventional look for the brand.

Fans appear split. Some call the design “most average Nothing” or simply “eww.” Others say they would buy a concept version Nothing teased with smaller screen, pop-up camera, headphone jack and microSD slot. That concept drew comments like “I would 100 percent buy this” on social platforms. The TechRadar follow-up documented the lukewarm reception to the actual phone.

So what does the (4b) really offer? A capable mid-range performer at an accessible price. Solid display. Clean software without heavy bloat. Glyph interface that still turns heads. But repair advocates see a missed opportunity.

Fairphone builds phones for people who keep them. Its latest models emphasize modular construction, ethically sourced materials and multi-year support. The company even teases upcoming products that could expand its lineup beyond phones. In the same week as the Nothing launch, Fairphone reminded followers that true sustainability comes from devices built to last rather than those designed to impress.

Nothing’s approach differs. The brand targets younger buyers who value aesthetics and unique features over longevity. Transparent backs showcase internal components. LED patterns notify users in novel ways. These elements create desire. They also complicate disassembly, as past teardowns of earlier Nothing models have shown.

One YouTube channel described a previous Nothing phone as one of the harder Android devices to repair. Glued components, intricate Glyph wiring and locked-down parts all contribute. The (4b) appears to follow similar choices despite the visible screws that suggest otherwise.

But. Not everyone cares.

Many users replace phones every two years regardless of repair options. For them the (4b) delivers good value. Fast charging, bright screen, reliable performance for daily tasks. At the rumored price it undercuts several competitors while offering distinctive flair.

Still the criticism lingers. When a company markets a phone with exposed-looking fasteners, buyers expect those fasteners to serve a purpose. Fairphone’s pointed Instagram story makes that expectation explicit. The overlay text pulls no punches. “Nothing is for show.” The phrase now circulates widely on tech forums and social feeds.

Industry watchers note that repairability scores affect regulatory compliance in some regions. They also influence corporate sustainability reports. Phone makers face increasing pressure to extend device lifespans. Those that treat repair as marketing rather than engineering priority risk backlash from environmentally conscious consumers.

Nothing could change course. Future models might incorporate genuinely accessible internals. The brand has shown willingness to iterate. Its software updates arrive quickly. Hardware experiments continue. Yet for the (4b), the die is cast. It ships with those decorative screws. Early reviews will test how easily owners can replace a battery or screen anyway.

Fairphone, meanwhile, doubles down on its philosophy. Every screw functional. Every part replaceable. The company positions its phones as antidotes to throwaway culture. Its CEO has spoken of pushing sustainable tech further with new categories. The contrast with Nothing could not be sharper.

The Phone (4b) launches into a crowded field. Motorola, OnePlus, Samsung and others offer similar specs at comparable prices. What sets Nothing apart is the design language. Transparent. Playful. Different. Whether that difference extends to actual repairability will determine if the criticism fades or sticks.

For now the conversation centers on those screws. Visible yet unreachable. Decorative rather than practical. Fairphone’s jab may prove more than a one-day social media skirmish. It highlights a larger tension in consumer electronics between form and function, between marketing claims and engineering reality.

Buyers will decide. Some will choose the lights and transparent back. Others will seek out phones where every visible screw actually turns. The market has room for both. But the bar for what counts as repair-friendly just got raised a notch higher.