PhoneLifespan

Pixel 8 Pro vs Phone (3a)

vs

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

The Phone (3a) wins this one, taking software longevity decisively. Against the Pixel 8 Pro it's also the sounder buy at $6.18 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Pixel 8 Pro 69 · Phone (3a) 75 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Google Pixel 8 Pro $480
Safe to buy$9.27/mo
2023◆ Buy-by Oct 20282030
Nothing Phone (3a) $349
Safe to buy$6.18/mo
2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Category by category

Display
Pixel 8 Pro 80Phone (3a) 80

Both displays are effectively the same class.

Performance
Pixel 8 Pro 70Phone (3a) 64

The Pixel 8 Pro's Google Tensor G3 is simply the faster chip.

Camera
Pixel 8 Pro 79Phone (3a) 79

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery
Pixel 8 Pro 81Phone (3a) 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity
Pixel 8 Pro 62Phone (3a) 67

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 5 months longer than the Pixel 8 Pro.

Value
Pixel 8 Pro 69Phone (3a) 75

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.18 per month of safe use.

Full spec table
SpecPixel 8 ProPhone (3a)
Price (street)$480$349
Display6.7-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 1–120Hz, up to 2400 nits peak6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM12GB8GB/12GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB128GB/256GB
Battery5,050 mAh5,000 mAh
Charging30W wired, 23W wireless50W wired, no wireless
Rear cameras50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP 5x telephoto50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm
Weight213 g201 g
Water resistanceIP68IP64
Supported untilOct 2030Mar 2031
Pixel 8 Pro full verdict →Phone (3a) full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.