Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a Comparison: Features, Performance, and More Differences

In 2025, the Nothing Phone (3a) developed by the UK-based Nothing Technology and the Pixel 9a developed by the US-based Google are both high-performing smartphones with strong product appeal. Being mid-range models, they are also priced reasonably, making them accessible for many buyers. Therefore, when considering purchasing a smartphone in 2025, many may find themselves debating between these two options. In this article, we would like to compare these affordable smartphones from the UK and the US.

Compare the body designs of Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a side by side.

Nothing Phone (3a)

Pixel 9a

Let's start by comparing the design of the devices.

The Nothing Phone (3a) stands out with its unique and highly distinctive rear design, a hallmark of the Nothing Phone brand. It features a playful and industrial design, with the added feature of a Glyph interface that illuminates on the back. For those who appreciate such design, the rear alone could make this smartphone appealing. Unlike the previous model, the Nothing Phone (2a), which had a transparent polycarbonate back, the Nothing Phone (3a) uses glass, elevating its premium feel. It comes in three colors: White, Black, and Blue, all of which are semi-transparent. Additionally, it features the Essential Key on the side of the device, a unique function that allows users to press the key at any time to save and organize the content displayed on the phone into Essential Space.

In contrast, the Pixel 9a adopts a more familiar design that seems to take inspiration from the iPhone, with a simple and understated look. The rear is made of plastic, so it lacks the premium feel but offers a clean, minimalistic design. While not as unique as the Nothing Phone (3a), the Pixel 9a’s design is one that will likely be appreciated for its timelessness, making it a device that users can rely on for a long time. The Pixel 9a comes in four colors: Peony, Iris, Porcelain, and Obsidian. With the inclusion of classic black and white options, along with pink and blue shades, users have the freedom to choose a color that suits their preferences.

Compare the Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a Body and Display at Actual Size

Let's compare the size and display of both devices in terms of actual dimensions.

You'll notice that the Nothing Phone (3a) is significantly larger. Therefore, it's important to carefully consider whether this size will be comfortable for you, and take a moment to compare and think about it on this site. Both smartphones have thick bezels, which are not particularly stylish but are practical.

Both devices feature OLED displays with nearly identical resolutions and refresh rates. The maximum brightness is 3,000 nits for the Nothing Phone (3a) and 2,700 nits for the Pixel 9a. While the Nothing Phone (3a) is brighter, the 10% difference likely won't make a significant impact. The display size of the Nothing Phone (3a) is 6.77 inches, while the Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch display. As a result, the Nothing Phone (3a) offers a larger and brighter screen.

Additionally, since the Nothing Phone (3a) is larger, it is also heavier. The Nothing Phone (3a) weighs 201 grams, whereas the Pixel 9a weighs 187 grams. The difference is about 14 grams.

In conclusion, if you prioritize a larger, brighter display, the Nothing Phone (3a) is the way to go. However, if you prefer something more lightweight and compact for easier portability, the Pixel 9a would be the better choice.

Compare Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a in a Specifications Chart

Let's compare the cameras.

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a triple camera setup with a main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens, while the Pixel 9a has a dual camera setup with a wide and ultra-wide lens, lacking a telephoto lens. This is a significant difference.

The Nothing Phone (3a) is equipped with a 2x optical zoom telephoto camera, and with in-sensor zoom, it can capture images up to 4x without much degradation. The Pixel 9a lacks a telephoto camera, but it can zoom in up to 2x with in-sensor zoom.

For the front cameras, both have an f/2.2 aperture, but the Nothing Phone (3a) has a 32-megapixel camera, while the Pixel 9a has a 13-megapixel camera. Therefore, the Nothing Phone (3a) will likely offer better image quality.

Overall, the Nothing Phone (3a) has a more powerful camera system. However, the Pixel 9a, while having simpler camera specifications, benefits from Google's AI-driven photo features, allowing users to experience next-gen smartphone camera capabilities with Google’s innovations.

In terms of processors, the Nothing Phone (3a) uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Pixel 9a uses the Google Tensor G4, which is the same processor found in the Pixel 9. This makes the Pixel 9a around 30% to 40% faster than the Nothing Phone (3a).

The battery capacity is almost the same, and both devices offer several memory and storage variations. Both support eSIM and Felica.

However, when it comes to water and dust resistance, the Nothing Phone (3a) has an IP64 rating, while the Pixel 9a boasts an IP68 rating, making the Pixel 9a a more reliable choice for everyday use, offering better durability.

	Nothing Phone (3a)	Pixel 9a
Manufacturer	Nothing	Google
Release Date
Screen Size	6.77 inch	6.3 inch
Resolution	1,080 x 2,392	1,080 x 2,424
Display Details	Flexible AMOLED	pOLED
Max Refresh Rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Max Brightness	3000 nits	2700 nits
Body Size	77.5mm x 163.52mm x 8.35mm	73.7mm x 154.9mm x 10.16mm
Weight	201 g	187 g
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Google Tensor G4
OS	Android 15	Android 15
Main camera 1	50-megapixel(f/1.88)	48-megapixel(f/1.7)
Main camera 1 details	Samsung, 1/1.57” sensor, OIS	82° field of view, 1/2", OIS
Main camera 2	8-megapixel(f/2.2)	13-megapixel(f/2.2)
Main camera 2 details	wide angle 120°	Ultra-wide angle 120°, 1/3.1"
Main camera 3	50-megapixel(f/2)
Main camera 3 details	2x optical zoom, 1/2.75”
Main camera 4
Main camera 4 details
Main camera 5
Main camera 5 details
Sub camera 1	32-megapixel(f/2.2)	13-megapixel(f/2.2)
Sub camera 1 details	1/3.44"	96.1° field of view
Sub camera 2
Sub camera 2 details
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,100 mAh
Video playback time	26 hours
RAM(GB)	8/12 G	8 G
ROM(GB)	128/256 G	128/256 G
Antutu	762,000 ver10	1,012,000 ver10(estimated)
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX8
Dust resistance	IP6X	IP6X
SIM	2 nanoSIM/ nanoSIM + eSIM	dual SIM(nanoSIM + eSIM)
NFC	Felica	Felica

In the end, which is better, Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a?

The design preferences will likely differ greatly, as the styles are quite distinct. You’ll have to choose between the exciting industrial design of the Nothing Phone (3a) or the simple, long-lasting design of the Pixel 9a.

The Nothing Phone (3a) features an intricate design on its back, and because of this, it’s hard to imagine using a case without hiding the design. To truly enjoy owning it, you’ll need to take care of it and use it with pride.

On the other hand, the Pixel 9a has a simple design and uses plastic materials. It has better water and dust resistance than the Nothing Phone (3a) and is lightweight and compact, making it a more casual and easy-to-handle smartphone.

Since the Nothing Phone (3a) is quite large, you might want to compare the size carefully on this site. While a larger size means better visibility on the display, it also comes with the downside of being heavier and harder to carry around.

The Nothing Phone (3a) offers 4x in-sensor zoom telephoto capabilities, expanding its potential for capturing photos. If you prioritize camera performance, the Nothing Phone (3a) would be the better choice.

Additionally, the Nothing Phone (3a) is cheaper than the Pixel 9a, which is an advantage. When considering the unique design, optical 2x telephoto camera, distinctive OS and Glyph interface, and its price, the Nothing Phone (3a) seems like a solid choice.

The Pixel 9a, in comparison, doesn’t stand out as much in terms of unique features. However, it offers a pure Google experience with the same high-performance processor found in the Pixel 9 series, making it a solid, easy-to-use option.

Both phones are attractive choices, so it’s important to weigh these factors when deciding which one suits you best.

Let's Compare Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a in More Detail

We recommend comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a in more detail through the following link and making an informed purchase decision.