On sale for less than €350, is it better to choose the Nothing Phone (2a) or the Google Pixel 7a?

Smartphones sold around 300 and 400 euros are solid, increasingly qualitative models. The Nothing Phone (2a) and the Google Pixel 7a are among them and offer very attractive value for money, especially during the winter sales.

They are currently on sale for less than 400 euros, and seem to be a good deal. We also rated them 8/10 in our test, these are two devices that we highly recommend, but which of the two should you choose? We will try to help you make your choice through this comparison by detailing each of the qualities and disadvantages of the two products.

Pretty designs, including a more original one

Aesthetically, these two devices are very different, but both have in mind to offer a neat appearance. Fans of compact formats will be delighted with the 7a, which fits perfectly in the palm of the hand thanks to its small size. The finishes are very successful, and even if there is plastic on the back, it is very difficult to distinguish it from a glass back. Unsurprisingly, it is the Phone (2a) that catches the eye the most with its “transparent” back which gives the impression that we are seeing the components of the device through a window, but here, there is no glass, but plastic. It's certainly less premium, but the illusion is well done. An original and successful proposal, especially since the Glyph is an attractive and useful element.

In terms of photography, the Phone (2a), which includes a 50 Mpx main sensor, a 50 Mpx ultra-wide-angle and a 32 Mpx selfie sensor, does quite well, regardless of the sensor. However, we regret the greenish side of most of the photos. But on the ground, it is Google's smartphone that stands out. With its main sensor, it offers high quality images, day and night, with beautiful clarity, colorimetry that is very pleasing to the eye and competitive sharpness. We even benefit from a digital zoom sprinkled with quite astonishing AI.

A great user experience, for both

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Once turned on, the Nothing Phone (2a) reveals a screen worthy of the best smartphones. And for good reason, its 6.7-inch Amoled panel offers a wide range of very faithful colors and satisfactory brightness in most situations. We are even entitled to a refresh rate of 120 Hz. On the Pixel 7a, the screen is also a pleasure to use: well calibrated, Oled, and bright, it finally goes to 90 Hz, which makes it more fluid, and therefore more qualitative on a daily basis.

It is also on the software part that the two smartphones are appreciated, they both obtained a score of 8/10 in this category. The 7a benefits from the Pixel Experience, one of the benchmarks in terms of software experience on Android. It is admirably fluid, like an iOS interface, and offers many features and complete accessibility. Even if the Mountain View company now offers 7 years of major updates on its flagships, here, you are entitled to 3 years of Android updates and 5 security updates. As for its rival, it has Nothing OS 2.5, under Android 14. The interface has well-thought-out widgets and customization options, even if we would have liked to have more. It also entitles you to three years of major updates, but four years of security patches.

High-performance phones, but the 7a falls short on battery life.

Released in 2023, the 7a remains a good smartphone. It inherits the Tensor G2 chip from its big brothers, which performs, without flinching, in all daily tasks, with no lag in sight. It is more in terms of games, especially in 3D, that the device shows its limits. for its part, the Phone (2a) contains a Dimensity 7200 Pro from MediaTek, supported here by 8 GB of RAM. In-game, it's a real pleasure, and you can play a series of games with good graphic quality.

Compared to Nothing's phone, Google's is struggling in terms of autonomy. It must be said that its small size prevents it from accommodating a large battery: 4,385 mAh, compared to 5,000 mAh on that of the London brand. It lasts just one day and with more intensive use, the phone will necessarily have to go through the charging box. And on this point too, it's not the best. Its 18W load does not help recover percentages quickly. The Phone (2a) holds up well to active use with several applications open during the day, but is not very good in standby, since it loses a lot of energy when idle. On the charging side, we can count on a power of 45 W, which is more than adequate.

Pixel 7a or Phone (2a), which one will end up in your pocket?

After having detailed the qualities and defects of its phones, it is time to take stock to help you in your choice. Each offers a successful experience, and with a rating of 8/10, they are very recommendable devices, but there are differences to take into account.

The Nothing Phone (2a) stands out with its iconic design, which is unlike any other. An appearance enhanced by a very beautiful screen worthy of high-end models, even if it lacks LTPO technology. On top of that, the performance is quite good for this price segment and the interface is pleasant to use. Enduring, it will make a very good daily companion, and for photography, the overall experience is satisfactory.

When choosing the Pixel 7a, you must take into account its lack of autonomy. Its very cute little format is pleasant in the hand and practical, but prevents it from being durable. As well as its charging limited to 18 W, you will not be able to refill the battery quickly. Besides that, you have a device that is ultra comfortable in photography. It benefits from a well-defined sensor, a very good portrait mode, very good night mode, sharpness, clarity, colorimetry… in short, everything is there! The software experience is one of the best, but with three years of updating, it's a bit tight… especially since it's from two years ago… and will only benefit from Android 15. The fact remains that with these 5 years of security patches, it will still last a while and is a very good deal at that price.

To go further, you can find our complete and detailed reviews in:

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