The Pixel 7a is the smaller phone, with a 6.1-inch screen, wireless charging and an IP67 rating. Nothing’s Phone (3a) has a larger 6.77-inch 120Hz display, a dedicated telephoto camera, a higher-capacity battery and faster listed wired charging. Neither is an automatic overall winner: the better choice depends on whether you value compact size and wireless charging or a larger screen and telephoto hardware. Their published prices are from different markets and dates, so they do not establish a current price difference.
Google Pixel 7a vs Nothing Phone (3a): key specifications
| Specification | Google Pixel 7a | Nothing Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED, up to 90Hz | 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED, adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz |
| Processor | Google Tensor G2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| Rear cameras | 64MP wide and 13MP ultrawide | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto and 8MP ultrawide |
| Battery and charging | 4,385mAh typical capacity; wired charging up to 18W; wireless charging | 5,000mAh; 50W wired charging; wireless charging is not listed on the cited European specification page |
| Water and dust resistance | IP67 | IP64 |
| Published 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 |
| Price evidence | $499 US starting price at launch on May 10, 2023 | €329 European starting price shown on Nothing’s product page when accessed in 2026 |
Specifications above come from Google’s Pixel phone hardware specifications, Google’s Pixel 7a launch announcement and Nothing’s European Phone (3a) product page. They describe manufacturer-published configurations and commitments, not independent head-to-head test results. Nothing’s listed price and specifications are for its European page; availability and configurations may vary by market.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which phone has the better display?
Pixel 7a: more compact
At 6.1 inches, the Pixel 7a has the smaller display and is the more compact choice by screen size. Google specifies an FHD+ OLED panel with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesPhone (3a): larger and faster-refreshing
Nothing specifies a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. The larger diagonal offers more screen area, while the higher refresh-rate specification may make supported scrolling and motion look smoother. Nothing also publishes typical, outdoor and peak brightness figures on its product page. Those figures are not directly comparable proof that one screen looks better in every setting, so consider size and refresh rate as specification differences rather than a definitive display-quality verdict.
#1 Best Overall
- Camera description: Rear
- At a Glance shows you useful info that you need at the right time, like weather alerts, a package delivery or baggage claim info when your flight lands
- Wireless network technology : CDMA
- Connectivity technology : Bluetooth
How do their processors compare?
The Pixel 7a uses Google Tensor G2; the Phone (3a) uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. These are different processor platforms, but the cited manufacturer specifications do not provide an independent, directly comparable performance test. A chip name alone cannot establish which phone will be faster for a particular game, workload or sustained use.
What is different about the cameras?
Pixel 7a: wide and ultrawide cameras with Google’s computational features
Google lists a 64MP wide rear camera and a 13MP ultrawide. Its launch announcement emphasizes computational photography features. Google also said the Pixel 7a’s main camera sensor is 72% larger than the Pixel 6a’s and lets in 44% more light; that is a Google claim about the Pixel 7a compared with the Pixel 6a, not a comparison with the Phone (3a).
Rank #2
- Camera Description: Rear
Phone (3a): adds a dedicated telephoto camera
Nothing lists a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide. The telephoto camera gives the Phone (3a) a dedicated longer focal length that the listed Pixel 7a rear-camera setup does not have. Camera megapixels and lens configuration do not by themselves determine photo quality, and the cited sources do not establish a real-world camera winner.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Battery capacity, charging and durability
Nothing lists a 5,000mAh battery and 50W wired charging. Google’s Pixel 7a one-pager distinguishes a 4,300mAh minimum capacity from a 4,385mAh typical capacity; the typical figure is used in the table. Google lists wired charging up to 18W and wireless charging, while Nothing’s cited European specification page does not list wireless charging.
Rank #3
- Camera description : Rear
- Connectivity technology : Bluetooth
- Display.size : 6.1 inches
- Memory storage capacity : 128.0 GB
- Operating system : Android 13.0
These are capacity and charging specifications, not matched battery-endurance results. Nothing says its charging and battery-life data come from its testing laboratories and that actual results can vary with software, environment and phone model. Do not assume either phone will last a specific number of hours based on capacity or charging wattage alone.
The Pixel 7a is rated IP67 and the Phone (3a) IP64. These ingress-protection ratings differ, but neither phone should be described as waterproof. Nothing notes that its resistance applies under controlled conditions and may degrade over time.
How long will each phone receive software support?
Google specifies at least five years of Pixel 7a security updates, counted from the phone’s first availability on Google Store in the US. Nothing specifies three years of Android updates and six years of security patches for Phone (3a). These are different categories: Android updates refer to operating-system upgrades, while security patches address security fixes. Compare the commitments by type and stated start point rather than treating the numbers as interchangeable.
What is the price difference?
The available official figures do not show a current, like-for-like price difference. Google announced a US starting price of $499 for Pixel 7a on May 10, 2023. Nothing’s European product page showed a €329 starting price when accessed in 2026. The figures use different currencies, markets and dates, and neither confirms what a buyer will pay now.
For a useful comparison, check current offers in your country for the same storage configuration and equivalent condition, warranty and seller type. A used or refurbished Pixel 7a should be compared with a similarly conditioned Phone (3a), and its battery condition and remaining warranty can affect value. Do not subtract or convert the two listed figures and treat the result as a current saving.
Quick Recap
Which one should you choose?
- Choose the Pixel 7a if a smaller 6.1-inch phone, 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-zoom telephoto camera, higher listed battery capacity or faster listed wired charging.
- Compare local listings before deciding on value. Confirm the exact model and storage, condition, warranty, seller and regional availability. Google notes that 5G service depends on operator and area; Nothing’s cited specifications are for Europe, and availability or bands may differ elsewhere.
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.
