Pixel 6a vs. Nothing Phone (1): Clean Android Clash [Video]

In select regions, the Pixel 6a faces stiff competition from devices like the Nothing Phone (1). How does Google’s latest mid-ranger compare? This is just where it piles up.

While there are many affordable, high-quality Android phones in the global market, you may live in an area where the options are more limited. The Pixel 6a officially launched on July 21 and has been available for pre-order ever since. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone (1) Carl Pei’s first smartphone launch post is OnePlus.

While there were rumors beforehand that the first Nothing device would be launched as an absolute flagship, it has hit the market with modest specs and some unique lighting tricks. Priced below $500, the $449 Pixel 6a goes into orbit thanks to its software similarities and release time frames. Which is the better buy? Here’s everything you need to know.

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Hardware

Side-by-side, and it’s very easy to shift your focus or attention to Nothing’s only smartphone release to date. It’s certainly a standout device that borrows select design cues from Apple, but adds a bit of intrigue, thanks to its clear backplate and dazzling Glyph lighting. The materials are definitely what we would consider “premium” considering it’s a cheap Android.

The Pixel 6a is intriguing in its own way thanks to its black camera bar and two-tone colors, but it’s smaller and lighter thanks to a polycarbonate construction. Of course, the screen size is a lot smaller at 6.1 inches. That’s not all, as there is a significant difference in refresh rates and display quality.

Phone (1) has a 6.55-inch OLED screen with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. It also has uniform bezels on all sides – something the Pixel 6a lacks – even with slim bezels on all sides of its own screen. Google’s use of Gorilla Glass 3 is somewhat of a disappointment as the screen is scratch-prone while the phone (1) uses Gorilla Glass 6 for protection. You’ll be pleased to hear that both phones come with flat panels, which is great for a gesture-based interface.

	Google Pixel 6a	Nothing Phone (1)
Mate	6.1 inch	6.55-inch
Display	60Hz / FHD+ / Gorilla Glass 3	120Hz / FHD+ / Gorilla Glass 6
chipset	Google Tensor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+
RAM	6GB	8 / 12GB
Storage	128GB UFS 3.1	128 / 256GB UFS 3.1
Battery	4.410mAh	4.500mAh
Reversing camera	12.2MP Wide / 12MP Ultra Wide	50MP wide / 50MP ultrawide
Front camera	8MP	16MP
biometrics	In-display fingerprint scanner	In-display fingerprint scanner / software-based face unlock
Colors	Sage, Charcoal, Chalk	White black
Other possibilities	IP67 rating	IP53 rating

The internals are certainly a mixed bag, but Google’s flagship Tensor processor is definitely the highlight that propels the Pixel 6a above the Nothing Phone (1), at least in terms of power. When you start comparing the other internals, such as basic RAM allocation and maximum storage capacity, Nothing’s first smartphone seems like a more appealing prospect.

The Pixel 6a offers an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, which is important if you’re worried about your phone getting damaged from a quick dip in water. Unfortunately, the Nothing Phone (1) only offers IP53 water and dust resistance, which is enough to protect against light jets of water or rain.

Google also offers the Pixel 6a in more colors than nothing with the phone offers (1). In addition to a Sage and Charcoal, the 6a is available in Chalk. Meanwhile, the Phone (1) is available in black and white versions, with both including Glyph lighting LED strips on the back.

Software

Google’s version of Android isn’t the most feature-rich, and since Nothing chose to build on AOSP, there are many major similarities between Nothing OS and Android 12 on Pixel. It’s actually pretty hard to tell these two versions of Android 12 apart if you’re not experienced with both software builds.

Phone (1) comes with unique customizations to areas such as the Quick Settings panel with two permanent toggles for Bluetooth and Internet settings. Equipment You’re there too, and the user interface of your entire device is themed based on the colors and tones in your background. It’s not as comprehensive on the Nothing Phone (1) as it is on the Pixel 6a. You don’t get colored lockscreen widgets, but it will fit if you’re not into extensive tweaks – the kind often found in many OEM skins.

	Google Pixel 6a	Nothing Phone (1)
Software	Supplied with Android 12	Supplied with Android 12
Functions	In-display fingerprint scanner Magic Eraser face blur Movement modes Live translation on the device	In-display fingerprint scanner Glyph lighting material you Tesla integration Support for NFT widgets Face unlock

The Pixel 6a is packed with a number of features that rely heavily on the Google Tensor processor. Live translation, Google Assistant Voice typing, and a growing number of Pixel Feature Drop additions are all par for the course on Pixel. The phone (1) has many of the same core functionality but includes some of its own exclusive features. Most of these are linked to the Glyph lighting strips on the back of the device for notifications and even the rear camera. Nothing OS 1.1.0 comes with some NFT tracker widgets, Tesla Quick Settings controls and has software-based Face Unlock baked in.

Clear differences in Android 12 on the Pixel 6a and Nothing Phone (1) come down to the more powerful Tensor processor and how tasks are handled on the device. A big difference is in the long-term support offered.

You’ll get the same number of OS upgrades, with the duo expected to support both up to and including Android 15. However, Google offers regular monthly security patches for five full years, while Nothing offers four years of bi-monthly security updates. Therefore, the longevity is definitely in favor of the Pixel 6a.

Battery

With 4,410mAh and 4,500mAh respectively, there is not a huge difference in capacity on both devices. You’d expect the smaller 60Hz display on the Pixel 6a to offer a longer daily life, but this doesn’t seem to be the case. You can expect a full day out of any device, but you throw yourself into heavy use, like gaming, and you can struggle.

	Google Pixel 6a	Nothing Phone (1)
Battery Size:	4.410mAh	4.500mAh
Charging speed	18W wired	33W wired 15W Qi wireless 5W reverse wireless

Since the Nothing Phone (1) uses a modified Snapdragon 778G+ processor, 15W Qi wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging are available when this is not normally the case with such a chipset. Charging speeds are much faster across the board than the Pixel 6a, with its fairly basic 18W wired charging. It’s worth noting that neither device comes with a charger. To access a 33W wired charging speed, you’ll need a Quick Charge 4.0-compatible power brick.

Camera

If you want or prioritize a high-resolution camera setup, the Nothing Phone (1) delivers two 50-megapixel rear camera sensors. Understandably, given the price, the Pixel 6a doesn’t include the impressive 50-megapixel sensor you’ll find on the regular Pixel 6. Instead, the nearly old Sony IMX 363 sensor is wheeled out again, but with four years of software tuning, it’s still capable.

The camera hardware of the phone (1) is better for all three sensors: wide main camera, ultra-wide camera and selfie camera. While the Pixel 6a’s exceptional software tuning and post-processing means it doesn’t compete alone – it comes out on top in most scenarios.

Add in some Tensor-supported features like Real Tone for accurate exposure of skin tones, Face Unblur, Live HDR+ video, plus 4K UHD at up to 60fps, and it puts the phone’s camera capabilities in the shade (1). It’s still a solid setup with a full Expert mode, something the Pixel series lacks completely. The Glyph lighting also gives you access to diffused light without the need for a bright, hard LED flash.

	Google Pixel 6a	Nothing Phone (1)
Main sensor:	Sony IMX 363 12.2MP f1.7 aperture	Sony IMX 766 50MP f1.9 aperture
Secondary sensor	Sony IMX 386 12MP ultra wide angle f2.2 aperture 114field of view	Samsung JN1 50MP ultra wide angle f2.2 aperture 114˚ field of view
Front sensor	Sony IMX 355 8MP f2.0 aperture	Sony IMX 471 16MP f2.5 aperture
Camera Hardware Features	OIS REQUIREMENT PDAF	OIS REQUIREMENT PDAF
Camera Software Features	Night vision portrait portrait light Live HDR+ video 4K UHD 60 fps real tone face blur Cinematic Pan Locked focus Active mode	night mode HDR video (1080p 30fps) 4K UHD 30 fps Glyph fill light Expert mode Portrait mode

Nothing has stuck with basic camera functions and the most common options include portrait mode, long exposure night modes, plus an ultra wide-angle macro option. 4K UHD video is limited to 30 fps, while HDR shooting modes are limited to just 1080p.

Pixel 6a vs. Nothing Phone (1): which one should you choose?

About Upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes we suggest not to upgrade, for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: higher device costs, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether you want to upgrade is always up to you, but our goal is to help you make the most informed decision possible.

There is a lot to like about the Pixel 6a and the Nothing Phone (1). For most, the clean Android software will be a key component that elevates the duo above even many other more spec-heavy devices. It’s worth noting that you can get more for your money if you prioritize raw specs over design and everyday experience. A good example is the Poco F4, but you must live in a region where the Xiaomi phone is sold.

That is the crux of the problem when you talk about affordable Android smartphones, if you live in an area where you can access the multitude of great cheap phones from the likes of Oppo, Xiaomi, OnePlus and many more then the Nothing Phone (1) and Pixel 6a can seem particularly disappointing.

However, a smartphone is more than just the inside. If you like Android the way Google intended, then this duo is a great way to get a clean taste without the price tag that comes with it. Alternatively, we recommend just looking at the Google Pixel 6. At $599, it’s a better overall buy in almost all areas.

You can pick up the Pixel 6a from the Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T for $449 off the contract. The Nothing Phone (1) is available from limited European retailers, but can be bought from Amazon UK for £399 if you’re desperate to import to the US – something we’d advise against.

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