The Nothing Phone 4a Pro costs $499 and grabs the show right away with its sleek industrial design, which essentially redefines the class that the company has set with previous models. The aluminum frame surrounds it, and is the most durable yet from Nothing. Circular LED patterns on the back light up for notifications timers and music visuals while small widgets on the home screen run simple games or step counters that add a bit of personality without complicating daily use.

Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything’s Mohs hardness picks are out to see how the rear panel holds up, and it takes a level two mark before the lines begin to deepen at level three, although the material acts more like reinforced plastic than high-end glass. Flip off the factory-installed screen protector to reveal the display underneath, and guess what? It resists scratches until level six, when it begins to be carved up at level seven. Even the most expensive flagships deliver such impressive performance.

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Cell Phone 2026 New, Unlocked Android 16 Smartphone, Triple-Lens Camera, AI Photo…

• Pro-Grade Camera with AI Edits: Capture every detail from a distance with the advanced triple camera system. Nothing Phone 4a Pro Features a 50MP Sony…
• 6.83″ 144Hz AMOLED & 5,000-Nit Peak Brightness: Immerse yourself in a stunning 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display. Delivering a buttery-smooth 144Hz…
• All-Day 5080mAh Battery & Android 16 Nothing OS 4.1: Stay powered throughout your busiest days with a high-capacity 5,080mAh battery and 50W fast…

This one design quirk may surprise you, but there is a tiny gap at the bottom of the phone that allows the SIM card removal tool to simply poke a hole in the waterproof mesh that keeps the microphone and speaker area dry. The majority of phones keep this mesh out of reach, however in the case of the Nothing Phone 4a, the first layer sits directly behind the hole, making it easy to slip up and compromise the IP65 classification. To make matters worse, there is a second backup layer, but the risk remains, so proceed with caution.

Following that, it’s time to burn test the 6.8-inch screen, which has ten bit color depth, five thousand nits brightness, and a quick 144hz refresh rate. It can withstand the heat for around twenty seconds before turning mostly white and recovering slightly once the heat source has passed. After that, it’s structural testing time, as he puts the phone through its paces, and the aluminum unibody comes out with flying colors, better than any Nothing model before it, with nary a crack or permanent deformation in sight.

It’s time to crack it open, starting with a heat gun to release the adhesive that holds the plastic camera plate in place inside the recessed aluminum frame. Once it’s done, we can see the precision-cut metal casings for the glass lenses, which include an eight-megapixel wide-angle, a fifty-megapixel primary sensor with optical stabilization, and a fifty-megapixel telephoto that, unfortunately, lacks stabilisation. The thirty-two megapixel front-facing camera also lacks stabilization. Before long, we’ve removed the four silver T-3 screws and six black Phillips screws, and the screen has a gradual warmth along one side.

The rear LED matrix and the NFC coil are connected by ribbon wires, and there is no wireless charging coil inside. Three more screws secure a bracket that protects the battery and screen connectors. Unplugging those leads reveals a massive 5080 milliamp hour battery in the US version or 5400 in the India version, as well as pull tabs to make removal easier. A loudspeaker module is perched on top of the charging port board and may be removed by unscrewing seven more screws and cutting the antenna wire.

Taking the main board out shows a thick coating of thermal paste and a large vapor chamber designed to distribute heat around the back of the display. The main and ultrawide cameras perform exactly as expected, with optical stabilisation in place. If you want to get to the main board, you must first remove the camera shield, which reduces the repairability score slightly, but each step is still rather simple to do with basic tools. The reviewer says that the lack of wireless charging was a deliberate trade-off to make this phone more robust, as well as the solid metal build, rather than compromising on either.

Electrostatic loudspeakers don’t care about your feelings. They never have. They strip the signal bare, lay it out under a harsh light, and let your brain sort out the mess. That’s the appeal, and the problem. Because while not every electrostatic design plays by the same rules, most lean toward the cerebral. Detail. Speed. That ghost-like sense of presence that feels almost too clean to be real. You admire it. You don’t always feel it.

Which makes this complicated.

I’ve spent decades chasing that sound. Five pairs of MartinLogan panels going back to the Sequel IIs. Enough time to know exactly what electrostats do better than anything else and where they leave you cold. I prefer them. Still do. But preference and connection aren’t always the same thing. I’m not wired that way. Never have been. I lean emotional. Always have. It’s messy, but it works. Most of the time.

And that’s why the Quad ESL 2912X at AXPONA 2026 caught me off guard.

At $18,000, they are far removed from the original Quad ESL and Quad ESL 63 in both price and expectation, but it does something electrostatic speakers without a safety net usually don’t. It keeps the ethereal clarity intact but adds weight where it matters. Not artificial warmth. Not bloated bass pretending to be something it’s not. Just enough physical presence to remind you that music isn’t only meant to be analyzed. You need to actually feel it. Even if it makes you feel emotions that are not always pleasant.

And it does.

Not in a showy way. Not in a way that begs for attention. More like it understands something most of its kind never quite grasp. That you can be precise without being cold. That you can be revealing without shutting people out.

‘Wickedly attractive,’ someone once said about me. Didn’t end well. That one sticks.

But for once, the description lands in the right place.

A Very British Timeline of Reluctant Progress

QUAD doesn’t iterate like everyone else. It moves when it has something worth saying.

The story begins in 1957 with the original Quad ESL-57; a speaker that didn’t just challenge convention, it ignored it entirely. Imperfect, yes, but disarmingly honest. It set a standard for transparency that still lingers over the category.

In 1981, the Quad ESL-63 arrived with a more advanced approach to dispersion and imaging. It refined the concept without abandoning it, and depending on who you ask, it either solved key limitations or traded away some of the original’s charm. The debate is still alive and well.

By 1999, QUAD expanded the lineup with the ESL-988 and ESL-989. Same core idea, two distinct executions. The 988 stayed closer to the original scale and intent, while the 989 increased panel area and extended low-frequency performance for larger rooms and more capable amplification.

That direction continued in 2006 with the ESL-2805 and ESL-2905. These were evolutionary updates; better controlled, more refined, and visually cleaner, even if they still leaned into traditional hi-fi aesthetics.

In 2012, the ESL-2812 and ESL-2912 carried things further. Incremental, but meaningful. Improved cohesion, tighter performance, and a continued focus on what electrostatics do best without trying to be something they’re not.

Now, fourteen years later, the ESL-2812X and ESL-2912X mark the arrival of Generation Six.

License to Be Large but Never Overbearing

They still look unmistakably like QUAD electrostatics; tall, panel-based, and impossible to mistake for anything else. And yes, they’re big. At nearly 58 inches tall, they have real physical presence. But in the room at the show, which wasn’t especially large, they didn’t dominate the space the way you might expect. They take up visual real estate, but not in a way that overwhelms everything around them. The new all-black finish helps. It keeps things visually quieter and less tied to the old-school hi-fi look.

If anything, it feels like something James Bond would have tucked into a well-appointed London flat; clean, purposeful, and chosen because it works, not because it makes a statement.

There are no cones or domes here. Both models use ultra-thin, electrically charged diaphragms suspended within an electrostatic field. The audio signal modulates that charge, moving the diaphragm and producing sound with very low distortion and excellent spatial precision. That approach hasn’t changed and neither have the requirements. These speakers still benefit from careful placement and stable amplification to perform at their best.

Internally, QUAD has moved to a three-part electronic structure: a high-voltage multiplier, a control section, and a low-voltage signal module. The goal is improved stability and consistency, particularly during more demanding passages where electrostatics have traditionally shown limitations.

The audio transformers have also been revised, with a focus on improving dynamic range and detail retrieval. In practical terms, that should result in better transient response and more low-level detail without altering the core character of the design.

The ESL 2912X is the larger model, standing 147 cm (57.9 inches) tall and designed for bigger rooms. It carries a nominal 8-ohm rating, but like most electrostatics, impedance varies between 4 and 20 ohms depending on frequency. QUAD specifies a frequency response of 32 Hz to 21 kHz (−6 dB), with usable extension from 28 Hz to 23 kHz.

They don’t sound small. Not even close. But that part comes later.

Nothing Hidden, Nothing Softened, Nothing Left Unfelt

MoFi Distribution showed up to AXPONA 2026 with a full bench of serious gear, but the QUAD room had a different kind of gravity. The ESL 2912X didn’t need theatrics. They just got on with it and people noticed.

QUAD, quietly, is having a moment.

My recent time with the Quad 3 Integrated Amplifier made that clear. It’s not built for listeners chasing sterile precision or exaggerated edge. It leans human. Natural. A little forgiving when it needs to be. That works there. The ESL 2912X, on the other hand, asks for more. Not louder. Just more control and authority behind it.

That’s where the Platina series comes in.

The Platina Integrated, Platina Stream, and the newly announced Platina CDT aren’t trying to win a bling contest or blind you with polished aluminum. The focus is on structure, stability, and getting out of the way. They provide the kind of foundation electrostatics actually need; clean power, consistent behavior, and no drama when the music shifts.

It’s a very specific kind of British approach. Understated, deliberate, and not particularly interested in approval. More like the older school mindset; decisions made, no apology offered, and no need to explain twice.

So what’s actually different here?

AXPONA is full of large speakers. Some of them cross into excess; big cabinets, bigger claims, and a lot of effort spent proving something that didn’t need proving. Size doesn’t guarantee connection. It doesn’t guarantee anything.

The ESL 2912X takes a different approach.

It delivers scale without relying on mass. Presence without forcing it. There’s no oversized cabinet trying to dominate the room. Instead, it builds space in a way that feels natural and proportionate.

At $18,000, it’s not inexpensive. But context matters. At this show, surrounded by speakers costing three, five, even ten times as much, it doesn’t feel out of place. It holds its ground. And that says more than any spec sheet.

This is the kind of presentation most people could live with for a very long time. Not because it tries to impress you quickly, but because it doesn’t wear thin.

The truth is still there. It doesn’t soften it.

But when it lands with real emotional connection? You don’t dare look away.

For more information: quad-hifi.co.uk

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Modular PC maker Framework Computer has officially announced its upcoming “Next Gen” event, scheduled to take place on April 21. The company is expected to unveil its latest generation of hardware, continuing its focus on upgradeable, user-controlled computing systems.

The event will be livestreamed globally, with select attendees invited to experience the new products in person. While Framework has not revealed specific product details, teasers and industry signals suggest a strong emphasis on modular upgrades and deeper integration with open platforms like Linux.

A Teased Shift Toward Next-Gen Modular And Open Computing

Framework has kept details intentionally vague, but its messaging hints at a broader shift in direction. The company’s teaser campaign references Linux ecosystems and open computing, suggesting that upcoming hardware may lean further into flexibility and user choice.

Reports indicate that the company could introduce updated modular laptops or desktops, potentially powered by next-generation chips.

At the same time, Framework has framed the event as more than just a product launch. In its messaging, the company highlights growing concerns around the future of personal computing, particularly as resources like memory and silicon become increasingly constrained in an AI-driven industry.

Why This Event Matters In Today’s PC Landscape

The timing of Framework’s announcement is significant. The broader computing industry is currently facing supply constraints, rising component costs, and a shift toward cloud-based, AI-centric infrastructure.

Framework has positioned itself as a counterpoint to these trends. The company continues to advocate for repairable, upgradeable hardware that users can fully control, rather than locked-down systems tied to proprietary ecosystems.

This philosophy has gained traction among enthusiasts and professionals who value ownership and customization. The upcoming event is expected to reinforce this stance, potentially introducing new ways to extend device lifespan and adaptability.

What It Means For Users And The Industry

For consumers, the event could signal new options in a market increasingly dominated by sealed, non-upgradable devices. If Framework delivers meaningful upgrades, it may strengthen the case for modular computing as a viable alternative to traditional hardware cycles.

More broadly, the company’s messaging reflects a growing debate within the tech industry. As AI infrastructure demands more resources and centralized computing becomes more prevalent, questions around ownership, control, and accessibility are becoming more relevant.

Framework’s approach suggests that there is still demand for devices that prioritize user freedom over convenience.

What Comes Next

The Framework Next Gen event will take place on April 21 at 10:30 AM PT, with a livestream available for global viewers.

While specific product announcements remain under wraps, expectations are building around new modular hardware and potential software ecosystem updates. The company has also hinted that its announcements may address ongoing industry challenges, including supply chain pressures and rising component costs.

Ultimately, the event is likely to offer more than just new devices. It could provide insight into how companies like Framework plan to navigate a rapidly changing computing landscape, where control, flexibility, and long-term usability are becoming just as important as raw performance.

America’s Big Tech companies may soon learn that saddling up with Donald Trump doesn’t tend to work out in the end. As the president sows chaos and distrust around the globe while taking aim at EU tech regulations, Europe is looking for ways to adopt its own alternatives. The latest example is France, which said it’s dropping Microsoft Windows in favor of Linux.

On Wednesday, France said (via TechCrunch) it plans to move its workstations from Windows to the open-source Linux. It’s part of a broader movement across Europe toward digital sovereignty, aimed at reducing reliance on foreign tech — especially American and Chinese. Although homegrown alternatives aren’t available in many areas, the EU seems prepared to wean itself off where it can.

In January, France announced that it would move its videoconferencing from Zoom and Teams to the French-made Visio. As part of this week’s Linux announcement, France added that it would also migrate its health data to a new platform by the end of 2026.

Since taking office, Trump has used tariffs and other measures to try to bully European nations into dropping their regulations on America’s tech industry. In August, he vowed to “stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies.” (The strange capitalizations are his, not ours.) His administration has described laws like the EU’s Digital Services Act as “censorship” and “a tax.”

So far, Europe has stood firm. “I want to be very clear: our digital sovereignty is our digital sovereignty,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference in February. “We have a long tradition in freedom of speech. Actually, the Enlightenment started on our continent.”

Christian Kroll, CEO of German search engine Ecosia, foresaw Europe’s predicament soon after Trump’s 2024 reelection. “We, as a European community, just need to make sure that nobody can blackmail us.” He added that “if the US turned off access to search results tomorrow, we would have to go back to phone books.” Granted, the guy is selling a European-made search engine, so his bias is clear. But the salience of his point stands.

Giorgos Verdi, policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the Trump administration’s behavior underscores the need for Europe to break free. “Could the US use its dominance over AI chips, its dominance over cloud in Europe, its dominance over AI systems in order to exert more pressure?” Verdi asked CNN rhetorically in January. “In order to build more resilience for Europe… there is a geopolitical case for European innovations to emerge.”

• Monte-Carlos Masters Final 2026: Sunday, April 12
• Start time: 2pm BST / 10am ET / 7am PT / 11pm AEST
• FREE stream: France TV (FRA)
• Access your usual streaming services with NordVPN (save 75% today)

Watch Monte-Carlo Masters Final 2026 live streams to see who will emerge with the title and the world number one ranking when Carlos Alcaraz takes on Jannik Sinner in what should be a blockbuster match on Court Rainier III.

Defending champion and top seed Alcaraz eased into the final with a 6-4 6-4 win over home favourite Valentin Vacherot and will now face Sinner for the first time this year. He currently holds a 10-6 winning record over the Italian but did lose their last encounter in the ATP Finals championship match last November.