Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a

The Nothing costs $120 less while listing double the storage and 4GB more RAM in its priced configuration. The Phone (3a)'s 128GB and 8GB variants are listed without prices, so only the 256GB / 12GB figure can be compared directly.

Both screens refresh at 120Hz, but the Phone (3a) is 0.47 inches larger and lists 300 more nits of peak brightness. The smaller Pixel panel fits slightly more pixels (1080 x 2424 versus 1080 x 2392), so its image is marginally denser.

Both are 8-core 4nm chips, but they come from different vendors and carry different software features. Google lists Gemini Nano, Circle to Search and Best Take for the Pixel, while Nothing lists Essential Space for the Phone (3a).

The Phone (3a) has 50% more RAM, which helps when keeping many apps open at once. The Pixel uses the newer LPDDR5X memory type against LPDDR4X on the Nothing, so capacity and speed point in opposite directions.

The Phone (3a) adds a dedicated 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom that the Pixel does not list, plus a higher-resolution 32MP front camera. The Pixel answers with a wider f/1.7 main aperture and a higher-resolution 13MP ultrawide versus 8MP on the Nothing.

Both phones record 4K, but the Pixel 9a lists 60fps at that resolution while the Phone (3a) stops at 30fps. The Pixel also lists Audio Magic Eraser, while Nothing lists TrueLens Engine 3.0 and Ultra XDR.

Capacities are within 100 mAh of each other, so the split is in charging: the Phone (3a) lists 50W wired against 23W on the Pixel, while only the Pixel lists wireless charging at 7.5W.

Google's 7-year OS commitment is more than double Nothing's 3 years, and security support is closer at 7 years versus 6. Both phones launched on Android 15.

Both ratings carry a 6 for dust, but the water digit differs: 4 for splash exposure on the Phone (3a) and 8 for submersion on the Pixel 9a. That is the clearest hardware gap between the two on durability.

Which phone is cheaper?

The Nothing Phone (3a) is listed at $379 for its 256GB / 12GB configuration, while the Google Pixel 9a is listed at $499 for 128GB / 8GB and $599 for 256GB / 8GB. That makes the Nothing $120 cheaper with double the storage in the priced configuration.

Which phone has a better camera?

Both use a stabilised main camera — 50MP f/1.88 on the Phone (3a) and 48MP f/1.7 on the Pixel 9a. The Nothing adds a 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom and a 32MP front camera, while the Pixel offers a higher-resolution 13MP ultrawide versus 8MP and records 4K video at 60fps rather than 30fps.

Which phone has better battery life?

Battery capacities are close — 5,000 mAh in the Phone (3a) and 5,100 mAh in the Pixel 9a. Charging differs much more: 50W wired on the Nothing against 23W on the Pixel, while the Pixel is the only one of the two that lists wireless charging, at 7.5W.

How long will these phones receive updates?

The Pixel 9a lists 7 years of OS updates and 7 years of security updates. The Nothing Phone (3a) lists 3 years of OS updates and 6 years of security updates, so Google's commitment runs four years longer on major Android versions.

Which phone is more water resistant?

The Pixel 9a carries an IP68 rating, which lists dust tightness and submersion. The Phone (3a) carries IP64, which lists the same dust figure but only splash resistance for water.