Pixel 8a vs Phone (3a) Pro

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Google Pixel 8a

The Pixel 8a wins this one, taking performance decisively. Against the Phone (3a) Pro it's also the sounder buy at $5.10 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Pixel 8a 77 · Phone (3a) Pro 71 — 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 8a $300

Safe to buy$5.10/mo

2024◆ Buy-by May 20292031

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro $429

Safe to buy$7.60/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Category by category

Display

Pixel 8a 70Phone (3a) Pro 80

The Phone (3a) Pro's screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.

Performance

Pixel 8a 70Phone (3a) Pro 64

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

Camera

Pixel 8a 67Phone (3a) Pro 79

The Phone (3a) Pro has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

Pixel 8a 70Phone (3a) Pro 80

5,000mAh vs 4,492mAh — the Phone (3a) Pro lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Pixel 8a 70Phone (3a) Pro 67

Both phones' support windows end around the same time.

Value

Pixel 8a 77Phone (3a) Pro 71

Overall value goes to the Pixel 8a at $5.10 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Pixel 8a	Phone (3a) Pro
Price (street)	$300	$429
Display	6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak
Chipset	Google Tensor G3	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM	8GB	12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	256GB
Battery	4,492 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	18W wired, 7.5W wireless	50W wired, no wireless
Rear cameras	64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 50MP periscope telephoto 3x, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.39 mm
Weight	188 g	211 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP64
Supported until	May 2031	Mar 2031

Pixel 8a full verdict →Phone (3a) Pro 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.