The Pixel 7a is the smaller phone, while the Nothing Phone (3a) gives you a larger, faster-refreshing screen, a dedicated telephoto camera and higher listed wired-charging figures. The right choice depends on which trade-offs matter to you; the available official price figures are from different markets and dates, so they do not establish a fair current price difference.
Google Pixel 7a vs Nothing Phone (3a): specifications
| Specification | Google Pixel 7a | Nothing Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED, up to 90Hz | 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| Rear cameras | 64MP wide and 13MP ultrawide | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto and 8MP ultrawide; 2x optical zoom |
| Battery and charging | 4,385mAh typical capacity; wired charging up to 18W; wireless charging | 5,000mAh capacity; 50W wired charging; wireless charging is not listed on Nothing’s cited European specifications page |
| Water and dust rating | IP67 | IP64 |
| Stated software support | At least five years of security updates from first availability on Google Store in the US | Three years of Android updates and six years of security patches |
Figures are manufacturer specifications, not results from matched independent tests. Google’s hardware details are in its Pixel phone hardware specifications; Nothing’s specifications and support terms are on its European Phone (3a) product page. Availability and configuration can vary by market.
Size and display: compact Pixel or larger Nothing?
The clearest everyday distinction is size. The Pixel 7a’s 6.1-inch screen makes it the more compact option by display diagonal; Nothing’s 6.77-inch screen gives you more room for video, reading and apps. The Phone (3a) also lists a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, compared with up to 90Hz on the Pixel 7a. A higher refresh rate can make supported scrolling and animations look smoother, but it does not by itself establish overall image quality.
Nothing publishes typical, outdoor and peak brightness figures on its page, while the cited Pixel specification lists the display size, resolution and refresh rate. Those manufacturer figures are not a controlled, side-by-side assessment of visibility or color, so they do not prove which display looks better in every setting.
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- Camera description: Rear
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- Wireless network technology : CDMA
- Connectivity technology : Bluetooth
Performance: two different processors, no proven speed winner
The Pixel 7a uses Google Tensor G2; the Phone (3a) uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. These are different platforms, but the cited manufacturer material provides no independent, head-to-head benchmark or sustained-performance test. Chip names alone are not enough to declare one phone faster for a particular workload. If demanding games or long video sessions are decisive, look for testing of the exact regional models and software versions you are considering.
Cameras: Pixel’s software emphasis versus Nothing’s telephoto lens
The Pixel 7a pairs a 64MP wide camera with a 13MP ultrawide. Google’s launch announcement highlights computational photography features and says the Pixel 7a’s main camera sensor is 72% larger and lets in 44% more light than the Pixel 6a’s sensor. That is a Google-stated comparison with the Pixel 6a, not with the Phone (3a).
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- Camera Description: Rear
Nothing equips the Phone (3a) with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera offering 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide. The extra camera gives it a dedicated telephoto focal length; the Pixel camera configuration takes a different approach. Camera resolution and lens count do not establish which phone takes better real-world photos, and the cited sources do not provide a direct image-quality comparison.
Battery and charging: higher listed capacity and wired rate on Nothing
Nothing lists a 5,000mAh battery and 50W wired charging. Google lists a typical Pixel 7a battery capacity of 4,385mAh, wired charging up to 18W and wireless charging. On paper, Nothing has the larger stated capacity and higher wired charging rate; the Pixel offers wireless charging, which Nothing does not list on the cited European specifications page.
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- Camera description : Rear
- Connectivity technology : Bluetooth
- Display.size : 6.1 inches
- Memory storage capacity : 128.0 GB
- Operating system : Android 13.0
These figures do not predict a direct battery-life result: endurance depends on use, software and conditions as well as capacity. Nothing says charging and battery-life data on its product page come from its testing laboratories and that actual results may vary with software versions, environments and phone models. Charger compatibility and what is included in the box can also vary by market; check the regional listing before buying.
Software support: compare update types, not just year counts
Nothing states that Phone (3a) will receive three years of Android updates and six years of security patches. Google promises at least five years of Pixel 7a security updates, counted from the phone’s first availability on Google Store in the US. The commitments are not directly interchangeable: Nothing gives separate durations for Android updates and security patches, while the cited Pixel specification states a security-update minimum. Google’s figure is tied to a specific US availability start point.
Durability: IP67 and IP64 are not waterproof guarantees
The Pixel 7a is rated IP67 and the Phone (3a) IP64. The ratings describe different levels of protection against dust and water under specified test conditions; neither means a phone is waterproof. Nothing cautions that its resistance applies in controlled conditions and can degrade. Treat either rating as a specification, not permission to expose a phone to water or rely on it after wear or damage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price difference: the published figures are not comparable
Google announced a US starting price of $499 for the Pixel 7a on May 10, 2023. Nothing’s European product page showed a €329 starting price when accessed in 2026. One is a historical US launch price and the other a European listing figure, so subtracting them or converting currencies would not produce a meaningful current price difference.
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To compare what you would actually pay, check listings for your country on the same date and match storage, new or used condition, warranty and seller type. This matters especially if comparing a refurbished or used Pixel 7a: check the stated condition and remaining battery health rather than treating it as equivalent to a new handset. Nothing’s cited price is from its European page; local availability, configuration and 5G support can vary, and Google notes that Pixel 7a 5G service depends on the operator and area.
Which phone is better for you?
- Choose the Pixel 7a if a more compact screen, wireless charging or Google’s stated security-update commitment best fits your priorities.
- Choose the Phone (3a) if you prefer a larger 120Hz display, a dedicated 2x optical telephoto camera, higher listed battery capacity or faster listed wired charging.
- Compare local offers before deciding on price. Match storage, condition, warranty and seller in your market; the quoted US launch and European listing prices are not a like-for-like comparison.
Neither specification sheet settles real-world camera quality, sustained performance or battery life. Choose by the features you value, then use current local listings and independent testing for the remaining questions.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
