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WhichPhoneToBuy

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Nothing Phone (3a)

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Nothing Phone (3a) on 3.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL for

  • Longer optical zoom: 5× vs 2×
  • OS updates for longer, until Aug 2031
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 12 GB
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 256 GB
  • Better water resistance: IP68 vs IP64

Pick the Nothing Phone (3a) for

  • Faster wired charging: 50 W vs 37 W
  • Lighter: 201 g vs 221 g (20 g less)
  • Newer: launched March 2025

Size comparison

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is 0.7 mm shorter, 0.9 mm narrower and 20 g heavier than the Nothing Phone (3a).

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm
  • Nothing Phone (3a)163.5 × 77.5 × 8.4 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
AnnouncedAugust 13, 2024March 4, 2025
ReleasedAugust 22, 2024March 11, 2025
Launch price$1,099—
BodyGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
Size162.8 × 76.6 × 8.5 mm163.5 × 77.5 × 8.4 mm
Thickness8.5 mm8.4 mm
Weight221 g201 g (better)
Framepolished metalpolycarbonate1
Backmatte glassglass1
Water resistanceIP68 (better)IP64
ColoursPorcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, ObsidianBlack, White, Blue
DisplayGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
Size6.8"?6.77"
TypeLTPO OLEDLTPS Flexible AMOLED
Resolution1344 × 2992 (better)1080 × 2392
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness3,000 nits3,000 nits
ProtectionGorilla Glass Victus 2Panda Glass
Performance and softwareGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G4Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
CPU1x 3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 + 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A5201Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520)
Process—4 nm
Ships withAndroid 14Android 16 with Nothing OS 4.0
OS updates7 years (to Aug 2031) (better)3 years (to Mar 2028)
Security updates7 years (to Aug 2031)6 years (to Mar 2031)
MemoryGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
RAM16 GB (better)8 GB / 12 GB
Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)128 GB / 256 GB
Card slot—No
CamerasGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
Rear50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (5× optical)50 MP Main, OIS 50 MP Telephoto (2× optical) 8 MP Ultrawide
Main camera50 MP50 MP
Optical zoom5× (better)2×
Front42 MP32 MP
Video8K at 30 FPS4k @30 fps
BatteryGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
Capacity5,060 mAh5,000 mAh
Wired charging37 W50 W (better)
Wireless charging23 W—
Reverse wirelessYes1Yes1
ConnectivityGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth5.35.4
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB Type-C
Headphone jack—No
eSIMYes—
Satellite messagingYes—
FeaturesGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XLNothing Phone (3a)
FingerprintFingerprint Unlock1On-screen optical1
Stereo speakersYesYes

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Nothing Phone (3a) pages.

Quick answers

Is the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL bigger than the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is 0.7 mm shorter, 0.9 mm narrower and 20 g heavier than the Nothing Phone (3a).
Which has the bigger battery, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL or the Nothing Phone (3a)?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger battery: 5,060 mAh against 5,000 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which gets software updates for longer?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: its maker promises OS updates until around August 2031, against March 2028 for the Nothing Phone (3a).

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