Google Pixel 10 vs Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

Google Pixel 10

The Pixel 10 gains a 5x telephoto zoom for the first time on the standard model, with computational photography remaining class-leading. However, the main sensor swap from the Pixel 9 has drawn some criticism.

• Google has done a great job tuning the cameras on this less-expensive Pixel, to the point where it takes photos that look remarkably like images captured with the Pixel 10 Pro XL
• The addition of 5x telephoto zoom to the standard Pixel is a significant upgrade that closes the gap with the Pro models for most photography scenarios
• If you had a Pixel 9 and upgraded to a Pixel 10, you are sacrificing some camera quality to get the rest of the upgrades — Google swapped in the 9a sensor for the main camera
• AI-powered features produce final edited images in under 20 seconds, and computational photography keeps low-light results among the best in any smartphone

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

The camera system is the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro's biggest selling point. The 50MP main sensor with OIS delivers detailed, vibrant daylight shots, while the 50MP 3x periscope telephoto is virtually unheard of under $500 — producing excellent portraits and zoom shots. The 50MP selfie camera is above average. However, the 8MP ultrawide is a weak link, low-light performance divides opinion, and video is limited to 4K/30fps.

• 50MP 3x periscope telephoto is a genuine rarity under $500 — excellent for portraits with natural bokeh
• 50MP main sensor with OIS produces detailed, vibrant 12.5MP binned shots with good dynamic range in daylight
• 8MP ultrawide is a clear weak link — cannot record 1080p/60fps and lacks detail
• Video limited to 4K/30fps — no 4K/60fps option, and telephoto lacks 4K video entirely

Google Pixel 10

The Tensor G5 on TSMC 3nm delivers improved CPU efficiency and better thermals, but GeekBench scores still trail Samsung and Apple competitors, and GPU performance remains a weak point.

• The Tensor G5 promises a 34% faster CPU and 60% faster TPU for AI tasks, with significantly improved thermals thanks to TSMC's 3nm fabrication replacing Samsung's process
• While GeekBench scores are much improved over last year's Tensor G4, they still trail the results of the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 in raw benchmarks
• The Mali GPU has been replaced with a PowerVR one, but GPU performance remains roughly half of what Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers — not a gaming phone
• Despite the lackluster benchmark scores, real-world performance is smooth and responsive for everyday tasks, with AI processing completing quickly

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 handles everyday tasks — social media, browsing, multitasking — without issue. However, it's the weakest area of the phone. Benchmark scores (~810K AnTuTu) trail competitors like the Poco X7 Pro, and gaming at high settings can stutter. Some reviewers experienced occasional lag, while others found it perfectly smooth for non-gaming use.

• Smooth for everyday tasks — social media, browsing, and productivity run without noticeable stutter
• Gaming performance actually worse than the older Phone 2a — Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 trails Dimensity 7200 Pro in GPU tasks
• Occasional sluggishness and lag reported during extended use sessions