Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Nothing Phone (2a)

Google Pixel 9 Pro

A 6.3-inch LTPO Super Actua OLED at 120Hz with a 3,000-nit peak — class-leading brightness in a compact phone.

• The Pixel 9 Pro introduced 3,000-nit peak brightness while the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max still topped out at 2,000 nits.
• Measured peak brightness of over 2,000 nits keeps the screen legible in all conditions.
• The 6.3-inch Super Actua display is a daily highlight in a phone that's still genuinely pocketable.
• Around an 87.6% screen-to-body ratio with slim, even bezels.

Nothing Phone (2a)

A 6.7-inch 1080x2412 AMOLED at 120Hz with HDR10+ and Ultra HDR support — consistently called one of the best screens at this price.

• 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080x2412 — a strong panel for a sub-$400 phone, with Always-On Display.
• Between its gorgeous display and excellent battery life, the Phone (2a) hits enough highs to stand up to the best in its price bracket.
• It supports Google's Ultra HDR format out of the box — a feature not even guaranteed on the pricier Phone (2).
• Long-term owners call it 'one of the best screens I've seen on the phone market'.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

A 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide and a much-improved 48MP 5x telephoto plus a 42MP selfie — the system reviewers say cements the Pixel as the best camera phone.

• With a refined design, much-improved telephoto camera and great battery life, the Pixel 9 Pro cements its status as the smartphone with the best camera.
• The Pixel 9 Pro has arguably the best camera among the big three flagships, plus Google software like Night Sight and Magic Eraser.
• Camera spec: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto and a 42MP front camera.
• In an iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Pixel 9 Pro XL shootout the iPhone won — its images were brighter and preserved highlights better.
• Reviewers were unusually critical of camera and especially video quality for a Pixel, and the camera hardware wasn't noticeably updated.

Nothing Phone (2a)

A dual 50MP system that's the phone's clearest compromise — acceptable for everyday use and decent for video, but the area where rivals and Pixel 'a' phones pull ahead.

• The camera 'isn't the best but it's more than acceptable for most' — a fair summary of the everyday experience.
• After a year, owners rate the camera best-in-class for video around the 20–25K INR price, with a detailed 50MP ultrawide.
• New owners note photo quality from the rear camera is the one area that isn't a smooth experience.
• Long-term owner score: camera 8/10 — 'not a lot to say about the camera', the device's weakest pillar alongside speakers.
• Versus the Galaxy A55, owners flag the 'okayish camera on Phone (2a)' as a key drawback.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

A compact ~4,700mAh battery that reviews praised as 'great' but heavy users find can't last a day — the Pixel 9 Pro's most polarising trait.

• Engadget rated the Pixel 9 Pro's battery life as 'great,' a key part of why it recommends the phone.
• Google advertises it as a 24-hour battery on the 6.3-inch Super Actua model.
• For light/moderate use the battery is 'fantastic,' but heavy users call it the worst they've owned — it can't make it through an entire day.
• One owner got about 3h11m screen-on-time from 37% battery in mixed use — modest for heavy days.
• New 45W-class wired charging plus wireless and Battery Share carry over from the Pro line.

Nothing Phone (2a)

A 5,000mAh battery — the first in the 2a line — delivers excellent all-day endurance, with reasonable if not blazing 45W wired charging (no charger in the box).

• The Phone (2a) is the first among its siblings to reach 5,000mAh, up from 4,500/4,700mAh predecessors.
• Battery test: ~13h33m web browsing and ~8h47m video — solid endurance without the Phone (2)'s extreme highs or lows.
• It refuels at 45W with the right brick (none included), reaching ~41% in 30 minutes and full in ~1h26m.
• Long-term owners simply call the battery 'very good' — comfortably all-day for normal use.