Nothing Phone 1 vs. Google Pixel 6: How Do They Compare?

Nothing Phone 1 vs. Google Pixel 6: 4 Must-Know Facts

• The Google Pixel 6 offers more color options than the Nothing Phone 1.
• The Nothing Phone 1 has a semi-translucent back that allows you to see some components.
• Both phones are available unlocked on Android OS.
• The Nothing Phone 1 offers more RAM than the Pixel 6, which can help the device’s longevity.

Some people might have been disappointed by the Nothing Phone 1’s specs, but the out-of-the-box mid-range phone stacks up nicely against the Google Pixel 6. The Pixel lineup is a dependable phone that most mid-range fans can get behind. But Nothing is trying to squeeze into that market with its affordable price, comparable specs, and flashy aesthetic.

In this article, we will compare and contrast these two phones to see which one is right for you. Is Nothing causing a shift in the market, or will Google firmly hold onto its premium mid-range phone customer base?

Nothing Phone 1 vs. Google Pixel 6: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Nothing Phone 1 vs. Google Pixel 6: What’s the Difference?

Hardware

Mid-range phones used to be the bridge between lower end and flagships. Nowadays, mid-range phones have been getting a lot more premium without too large of a jump in price. The Nothing Phone 1 and the Google Pixel 6 are both excellent examples of what we like to call the premium mid-range.

The Pixel 6 is not quite at flagship speeds, but the Google Tensor processor seems to offer the extra speed it needs to beat the Snapdragon 778G+ in the Nothing Phone 1. That speed difference will be hard to notice in day-to-day use, though. We mostly saw a slightly more responsive feeling on the Pixel 6. It is worth noting that the Nothing Phone 1 does offer a higher RAM option at 12GB, which will give it a leg up in longevity.

Design

More so than with other tech products, design is a very crucial point to consider. You will take this phone with you everywhere, so you want to ensure it matches your style and can be comfortably carried daily.

The Nothing Phone 1 definitely breaks the mold with its design. It has a semi-translucent rear panel to show off some but not all of the internal components, and LEDs on the back create the Glyph interface. The LEDs are customizable to make a pattern for notifications, depending on which app you receive them from. The edges are flat like the iPhone 13, but with the rest of the phone’s design, you will not be mistaken for an Apple user.

The Google Pixel 6 also stands out compared to its competitors. It has a sleek body broken into two color tones on the back, separated by the camera cutout that spans the entire phone width. Where the Nothing Phone 1 only offers black or white colorways, the Pixel 6 offers a wide variety. The Sorta Seafoam and Kinda Coral offer a fun brighter color that most phone models do not.

Display

The Nothing Phone 1 has a 6.55-inch OLED display. It offers HD+ resolution and a pixel density of 401 PPI. That pixel density is quite average for most phones around this price range. However, where the Nothing Phone 1’s display really shines is the adaptive refresh rate. It can move between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on the use case. Using this phone at 120Hz makes the touch controls feel nice and smooth.

The Pixel 6 has a 6.4-inch AMOLED screen that also offers HD+ resolutions. Even though it is a slightly smaller screen, Google was able to get a pixel density of 411 PPI. So, even though it is somewhat higher, you will have trouble noticing the difference between them. The refresh rate on the Pixel 6 is slightly slower at 90Hz. But, it makes up for it with its 24-bit color depth. It also offers Google’s new always-on-display complete with an at-a-glance calendar, weather info, and now playing.

Battery

The battery capacities of the Nothing Phone 1 and the Google Pixel 6 are relatively similar at 4,500mAh and 4,614mAh. The Google Pixel 6 takes this category on numbers, but the actual lifespan of these two batteries is too close to call. But, the Nothing Phone 1 does offer a faster recharge time, with its included power brick and cable.

These phones also offer wireless and reverse charging for your accessories. The Nothing Phone 1 offers 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse charging, whereas the Google Pixel 6 offers 21W wireless charging and 5W reverse charging.

Cameras

If your phone is also your go-to camera, both the Pixel 6 and the Nothing Phone 1 are excellent choices, with 50 megapixels sensors at their core. For most mobile photography, though, you will most likely notice a difference in processing the image rather than the sensor’s megapixel count. Google has nailed its post-processing magic down for years, and it does not disappoint with the Pixel 6.

Although the specs favor the Nothing Phone 1 in this category, the focus and final images can sometimes be soft and slightly unreliable. The Nothing Phone 1 does give you access to complete manual control, though, which no Pixel has ever offered. Both cameras are great, but if you are looking for an easy point-and-shoot camera, the Pixel 6 is the winner.

Nothing Phone 1 vs. Google Pixel 6: Who’s the Winner?

The Nothing Phone 1 and the Google Pixel 6 are both excellent mid-range phones that certainly deserve a place in your pocket. Nothing’s Phone 1 is a fantastic phone, especially for the company’s first-ever phone. Google’s Pixel 6 definitely holds up to the name of Pixel and its predecessors. There is a reason it has been one of the most popular mid-range phones for a while now.

It is worth noting that the Nothing Phone 1 is going to be harder to get your hands on, especially in the States for now, but if the design and the specs really speak to you, it is worth waiting for. If you are on the fence between these two phones, we recommend using the Pixel 6. It will be easier to purchase and doesn’t look or perform half bad, either.

Up Next…

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• Nothing Phone 1: Specs, Price, and Everything We Know: Find out all you need to know about the first smartphone produced by Nothing Technology Limited.
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