Phone (3a) vs Aquos R9

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.17 per month of safe use, while the Aquos R9 runs out in Sep 2028 ($20.01/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · Aquos R9 57 — methodology

The lifespan decider

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

Nothing Phone (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.17/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Sharp Aquos R9 $530

Buy with care$20.01/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 80Aquos R9 60

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

Performance

Phone (3a) 64Aquos R9 78

The Aquos R9's Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Phone (3a) 79Aquos R9 67

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

Battery

Phone (3a) 80Aquos R9 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 67Aquos R9 32

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 30 months longer than the Aquos R9.

Value

Phone (3a) 75Aquos R9 57

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.17 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	Aquos R9
Price (street)	$349	$530
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.5-inch Pro IGZO LTPO OLED, FHD+, up to 240Hz, ~2000 nits peak
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm)
RAM	8GB/12GB	12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	256GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	USB-C wired (no wireless)
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	156 × 75 × 8.9 mm
Weight	201 g	195 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP68 (also MIL-STD-810G)
Supported until	Mar 2031	Sep 2028

Phone (3a) full verdict →Aquos R9 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.