Between the Phone (3) and Pixel 9a, the Phone (3) comes out ahead in wired charging and front camera, while the Pixel 9a wins on weight and promised os updates. Overall, the Phone (3) scores 68.7 and the Pixel 9a scores 63.2 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Phone (3) edges ahead on the Mars Score (68.7 vs 63.2), but the 5.5-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the Phone (3) if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. The biggest gaps in its favor are wired charging, front camera, wireless charging, among others.
Pick the Pixel 9a if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight, promised os updates.
Both ship with comparable refresh rate, 5g support, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Phone (3) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Nothing - Phone (3) wins
- ▲Wired charging — 182.61% more. 65 W vs 23 W.
- ▲Front camera — 146.15% more. 32 MP vs 13 MP.
- ▲Wireless charging — 100.00% more. 15 W vs 7.5 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 65.32% more. 2050000 vs 1240000.
- ▲RAM — 50.00% more. 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲Pixel density — 9.00% more. 460 ppi vs 422 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 6.35% more. 6.7 " vs 6.3 ".
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
Why Google - Pixel 9a wins
- ▲Weight — 10.00 g less. 186 vs 196.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 5).
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 g | 186 glead |
| Thickness | 8.4 mmlead | 8.9 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 "lead | 6.3 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppilead | 422 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 4500 nitslead | 2700 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MPlead | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 32 MPlead | 13 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5150 mAhlead | 5100 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 65 Wlead | 23 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 Wlead | 7.5 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9a |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 years | 7 yearslead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Phone (3) or Pixel 9a?+
Phone (3) has 1.0% more battery — 5150 mAh vs 5100 mAh.
Which is lighter, Phone (3) or Pixel 9a?+
Pixel 9a is 10g lighter — 196g vs 186g.
Is Phone (3) waterproof?+
Phone (3) has an IP68 rating.
Does Pixel 9a support 5G?+
Yes, Pixel 9a supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Phone (3) or Pixel 9a?+
Phone (3) offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Phone (3) or Pixel 9a?+
Phone (3) has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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