Between the Phone (3) and Pixel 9, the Phone (3) comes out ahead in front camera and wired charging, while the Pixel 9 wins on promised os updates. Overall, the Phone (3) scores 68.7 and the Pixel 9 scores 63.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Phone (3) edges ahead on the Mars Score (68.7 vs 63.5), but the 5.2-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 front camera, wired charging, antutu, among others.
Pick the Pixel 9 if you care most about promised os updates. Its strongest claims are promised os updates.
Both ship with comparable ram, main camera, refresh rate, 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
- ▲Front camera — 204.76% more. 32 MP vs 10.5 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 140.74% more. 65 W vs 27 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 65.32% more. 2050000 vs 1240000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 9.57% more. 5150 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
- ▲Pixel density — 9.00% more. 460 ppi vs 422 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 6.35% more. 6.7 " vs 6.3 ".
- ▲Weight — 2.00 g less. 196 vs 198.
Why Google - Pixel 9 wins
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 5).
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 glead | 198 g |
| Thickness | 8.4 mmlead | 8.5 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 32 MPlead | 10.5 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5150 mAhlead | 4700 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 65 Wlead | 27 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Nothing - Phone (3) | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 years | 7 yearslead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Phone (3) or Pixel 9?+
Phone (3) has 9.6% more battery — 5150 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
Which is lighter, Phone (3) or Pixel 9?+
Phone (3) is 2g lighter — 196g vs 198g.
Is Phone (3) waterproof?+
Phone (3) has an IP68 rating.
Does Pixel 9 support 5G?+
Yes, Pixel 9 supports 5G.
Which has a better camera, Phone (3) or Pixel 9?+
Pixel 9 has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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