Pixel 10a vs Nothing Phone 3a
The Pixel 10a and the Nothing Phone 3a land in the same midrange smartphone category, so the comparison is fair, and the differences are telling. The two pull in different directions. The Pixel 10a is built around software & updates, while the Nothing Phone 3a is stronger on camera. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the Nothing Phone 3a undercut the Pixel 10a by $120.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Software & Updates Pixel 10a wins
- Price Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Camera6.2
- Camera6.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Pixel 10a has 4 years of extra promised updates
This is a headline difference. With 7 years to the Nothing Phone 3a’s 3 years, the Pixel 10a has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. The Pixel 10a’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on.
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The Nothing Phone 3a has an extra rear camera
Put simply, the Nothing Phone 3a is far ahead here: 3 compared with 2. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Nothing Phone 3a’s extra lens adds.
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The Nothing Phone 3a has a sharper 32 MP selfie camera
The Nothing Phone 3a’s 32 MP leaves the Pixel 10a’s 13 MP well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the Nothing Phone 3a.
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The Pixel 10a has a sharper 13 MP ultra-wide
Not a close call. The Pixel 10a lists 13 MP and the Nothing Phone 3a lists 8 MP. That’s a substantial gap. A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
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The Pixel 10a has a tougher IP68 rating
Among all the differences on this page, IP68 against IP64 is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Pixel 10a. The Pixel 10a’s tougher rating doesn’t make it waterproof, but it offers more protection when accidents happen.
Design & Size
Want the smaller footprint? That’s the Pixel 10a. The Nothing Phone 3a is the larger of the two.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 6.44 in |
| Width | N/A (not specified) | 3.05 in |
| Thickness | N/A (not specified) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | N/A (not specified) | 7.09 oz Heaviest in class |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 (winner) | IP64 Lowest IP rating |
Display
Too close to call
If display matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. If display was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Screen size
Pixel 10a: 6.3 in Nothing Phone 3a: 6.8 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t performance. So performance is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On memory & storage, both deliver about the same. Net result on memory & storage: level.
Camera
Nothing Phone 3a leads
In the camera category, the Nothing Phone 3a isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. Point to the Nothing Phone 3a for an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Nothing Phone 3a gives you more lenses to choose from. In its favor, the Pixel 10a has a sharper 13 MP ultra-wide. If camera is your priority, the Nothing Phone 3a is the phone to pick.
Rear cameras
Pixel 10a: 2 Nothing Phone 3a: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Front camera
Pixel 10a: 13 MP Nothing Phone 3a: 32 MP If you mainly use the front camera for calls, the gap is minor; if you post selfies often, the Nothing Phone 3a’s extra resolution helps.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on battery & charging; the numbers are close throughout. Bottom line for battery & charging: it’s a wash.
Software & Updates
Pixel 10a leads
The Pixel 10a dominates the software & updates section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Pixel 10a takes this one with 4 years of extra promised updates. A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years. That makes the Pixel 10a the natural choice for buyers focused on software & updates.
Promised OS updates
Pixel 10a: 7 years Nothing Phone 3a: 3 years Software support is what separates a phone that ages gracefully from one that doesn’t, making it one of the most practical lines on the spec sheet.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | AMOLED |
| Resolution | N/A (not specified) | 2392 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | N/A (not specified) | 3,000 nits Brightest screen in class |
| Always-on display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | N/A (not specified) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | N/A (not specified) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 13 MP (winner) | 8 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 2× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 32 MP (winner) Sharpest selfie camera |
| Max video | N/A (not specified) | 4K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,100 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 50 W Fastest wired charging |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 16 | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years (winner) | 3 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 6.44 in |
| Width | N/A (not specified) | 3.05 in |
| Thickness | N/A (not specified) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | N/A (not specified) | 7.09 oz Heaviest in class |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 (winner) | IP64 Lowest IP rating |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 10a | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $499 | $379 (winner) Lowest price in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 32% apart, a difference of $120. The Nothing Phone 3a gives up some areas but saves $120; the Pixel 10a wins others and charges for it.
These are US launch prices, recorded February 2026; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 10a if…
- you plan to keep your phone for years (7 years vs 3 years of promised updates)
- you want the sharper ultra-wide camera (13 MP vs 8 MP)
- you want better protection against water and dust (IP68 vs IP64)
Choose the Nothing Phone 3a if…
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (32 MP vs 13 MP)
- you want more value for your money ($120 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Pixel 10a or the Nothing Phone 3a?
If value matters, the Nothing Phone 3a is the smarter buy: it costs $120 less than the Pixel 10a at launch.
Does the Pixel 10a last longer on a charge than the Nothing Phone 3a?
On paper, the Pixel 10a and the Nothing Phone 3a are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the Pixel 10a or the Nothing Phone 3a?
The Nothing Phone 3a takes that one. With dimensions of 6.44 × 3.05 × 0.33 in, it is larger than the Pixel 10a (6.3 in).
Does the Pixel 10a have a stronger camera setup than the Nothing Phone 3a?
The Nothing Phone 3a has the edge for photography, offering an extra rear camera and a sharper 32 MP selfie camera.
Which costs less, the Pixel 10a or the Nothing Phone 3a?
Going by launch prices, the Nothing Phone 3a costs $120 less than the Pixel 10a. Prices as of February 2026; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
The Pixel 10a and the Nothing Phone 3a are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. I keep coming back to one thing: the Nothing Phone 3a gets an extra rear camera. To be fair, the Pixel 10a has 4 years of extra promised updates, and that’s not nothing.
If you’d rather have strength in software & updates, go with the Pixel 10a. If camera is what you’d miss, go with the Nothing Phone 3a.
My pick: the Nothing Phone 3a, because $120 is a lot to pay for what the Pixel 10a adds.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.