Google Pixel 7a vs Nothing Phone (2): Which is better?

When it comes to choosing a new smartphone, the options can be overwhelming. Two contenders in the mid-range arena that have generated some buzz are the Google Pixel 7a and the Nothing Phone (2).

These devices offer distinct features and specifications, catering to different preferences and needs. In this article, we compare these two smartphones in terms of their key specification, features, performance and price and help you decide which one might be the better choice for you.

Differences between Google Pixel 7a and Nothing Phone (2)

Starting with the design and build quality, both the Google Pixel 7a and the Nothing Phone (2) exhibit a modern aesthetic.

The Nothing Phone (2) sports a sleek and slim profile. It also features Gorilla Glass for added durability and an IP54 rating for some resistance against dust and splashes. The device is also equipped with the unique Glyph Interface LED lights, which add a distinctive touch to its appearance and funcionality. You can get the phone in two colours: White or Gray.

On the other hand, the Pixel 7a has a slightly more compact design. It offers an IP67 rating, providing better protection against dust and water compared to the Nothing Phone (2) which is IP54, so importantly only splashproof for water. The Pixel 7a also comes in a range of bright colours: Charcoal, Snow, Sea or Coral.

The Nothing Phone (2) boasts a large 6.7in 120Hz LTPO OLED display, which delivers vibrant colours and smooth animations. The higher refresh rate also contributes to a more responsive touch interface and smoother scrolling.

The Pixel 7a, while having a smaller 6.1in OLED display, still provides a crisp Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. While not as large as the Nothing Phone (2), it strikes a balance between size and usability for those who prefer more manageable devices.

I would say that the smaller screen is the only advantage of the Pixel 7a, and only for those who prefer more compact smartphones. In all other aspects, the Nothing Phone (2) display will simply be better.

Under the hood, both smartphones offer capable hardware, but there is a difference. Both smartphones run on Android 13 and will receive an update to Android 14. However, the Nothing Phone (2) features Nothing OS 2.0, which offers a slightly different user experience compared to the Pixel’s more stock interface.

Both phones will get three years of OS updates but the Pixel 7a has more longevity with at least five years of security patches, a year more than the Phone (2).

The Nothing Phone (2) is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It features 256/512GB of storage and 8/12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking, and supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity options.

The Pixel 7a is powered by the Google Tensor G2 chipset. It includes 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, a little less than the Nothing Phone (2), and supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.

In our Geekbench 5 Multi-core tests, the Nothing Phone (2) showed a strong advantage over the Pixel 7a. The results were: 4055 for the Nothing Phone (2) and 2720 for the Pixel 7a.

Looking at pure performance, the Nothing Phone (2) offers better results, which combined with the higher screen refresh rate and more RAM will make a significant difference to the user experience.

Both phones come with no charging brick in the box so you will have to use your own. Also keep in mind that there are differences in terms of charging speeds: 45W wired and 15W wireless for the Nothing Phone (2) and 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless for the Pixel 7a.

The Nothing Phone (2) charged to 32% in 15 minutes, to 65% in 30 minutes and hit 100% in 55 minutes exactly. The Pixel 7a managed to top up to 20% in 15 minutes, and 38% in half an hour, meaning you’ll need to set aside an hour or two to get a full charge.

So clearly, in terms of charging speed, the Nothing Phone (2) not only wins on paper, but in real-world usage. In addition, it offers a larger battery and while both phones will guarantee you a full day of use, the Pixel 7a will be slightly behind.

The Nothing Phone (2) has 50Mp main camera and 50Mp ultrawide cameras on the rear and a 32Mp selfie camera on the front. The Pixel 7a, on the other hand, features a 64Mp main camera, 13Mp ultrawide camera and 13Mp selfie camera.

Google’s renowned image processing software is likely to make a significant difference in photo quality and it shows in our camera tests. For photography enthusiasts, camera performance is often a key consideration and in between these two phones, the Pixel 7a is a clear winner.

You can find more on the camera capabilities and sample images in the Nothing Phone (2) and the Pixel 7a review.

For a phone marketed partly around its photo improvements, the Phone (2)’s cameras are merely OK. If camera is your priority, get a Pixel 7a for cheaper.

Henry Burrell, Phones Editor

Price & availability

The Nothing Phone (2) is priced at £579/€649/$599 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant.

Additionally, you have the option to purchase the 12/256GB model for £629/€699/$699 or the 12/512GB version for £699/€799/$799. While the latter may seem costly, it represents a reasonable value considering the substantial storage capacity.

Nothing is exclusively selling the Phone (2) through its official store and a limited number of chosen retail partners.

You can buy the Pixel 7a directly from Google at a price of $499/£449/€509, or through various other retail outlets.

Unfortunately, the Pixel 7a does not offer more RAM or storage options, but its base model costs less than the Nothing Phone (2).

Be sure to check out our the best mid-range phone chart for more options.

Verdict

In conclusion, both the Nothing Phone (2) and the Google Pixel 7a have their unique strengths and features.

The Nothing Phone (2) excels in its performance, stunning display, unique design elements like the Glyph Interface LED lights and charging speed. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 7a offers a more compact design, Google’s renowned software experience, strong camera capabilities and is cheaper.

Overall, we think the Google Pixel 7a is the better buy but there are various good reasons to get the Nothing Phone (2), too.

Specs

Nothing Phone (2):

• 6.7in 120Hz LTPO OLED display
• Rear camera:
  • 50Mp, f/1.8 OIS main camera
  • 50Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide camera
  • 32Mp, f/2.45 selfie camera
• 4700mAh battery
• 45W wired charging
• 15W wireless charging
• 5W reverse wireless charging
• 5G
• Stereo speakers
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.3
• NFC
• Glyph Interface LED lights
• IP54
• Gorilla Glass
• Android 13 with Nothing OS 2.0
• 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3mm
• 201g

Google Pixel 7a:

• 6.1in, FHD+, 90Hz OLED 
• Google Tensor G2 chipset 
• Google Titan M2 security chip 
• 8GB RAM 
• 128GB storage 
• Cameras:
  • 64Mp, f/1.9 main camera 
  • 13Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide 
  • 13Mp, f/2.2 selfie camera 
• 4385mAh battery 
• 18W wired charging 
• 7.5W wireless charging 
• IP67 rating 
• 5G 
• Android 13 
• 72.9 x 152.4 x 9.0mm 
• 193g