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

The mid-range smartphone market has seen fierce competition heat up in 2022 with the launch of the uniquely designed Nothing Phone 1. This first smartphone from the new consumer tech company Nothing aims to challenge established favorites like the Google Pixel 6.

Both phones retail for around $500, putting them in reach for budget-conscious shoppers who still want premium features. But the Pixel 6 and Nothing Phone 1 take very different approaches when it comes to hardware, cameras, software and more.

Read on for a detailed comparison of the Google Pixel 6 vs the Nothing Phone 1 to see which mid-range Android phone comes out on top for design, performance, photography and overall value.

Nothing Phone 1 vs. Google Pixel 6: Key Specs

Before we dive into the details, here‘s an at-a-glance overview of the core hardware and pricing for the Nothing Phone 1 and the Pixel 6:

With the Nothing Phone 1 just recently launched in July 2022, let‘s see how it holds up to the more established Google Pixel 6 that hit the scene back in late 2021.

Hardware Design: Unique vs Refined

The most obvious difference between these two mid-range Android smartphones becomes immediately apparent before you even turn them on.

The Nothing Phone 1 sports a transparent back panel that gives you a peek at some internal components and an array of LEDs capable of lighting up in different patterns. This industrial transparent aesthetic combined with the exposed-metal frame give the Nothing Phone a starkly unique and eye-catching design.

The Nothing Phone 1‘s transparent back and Glyph interface set it apart with a unique design aesthetic.

The Google Pixel 6 design stands out in its own way thanks to the prominent horizontal camera bar that spans the entire width of the back panel. The two-tone color scheme with a different shade above and below this camera strip also makes the Pixel 6 recognizable from a distance.

Google offers three color options for more personalization too:

• Sorta Seafoam (light blue/green)
• Kinda Coral (peach)
• Stormy Black

In terms of feel in the hand, the Pixel 6 is a bit more compact thanks to minimized bezels and rounded corners. But the Nothing Phone 1 still feels relatively sleek at just 8.3mm thick and 184 grams.

Both phones are rated IP53 for some splash resistance, though not fully waterproof. And they omit the headphone jack if you still require that port.

So when it comes to hardware design, it‘s clear Nothing wanted to create something radically different and attention-grabbing with see-through components. Google plays it safer with the Pixel 6 yet still sticks out from the crowd. So style preference will determine which aesthetic you favor.

Display Technology On Par

The Nothing Phone 1 packs a 6.55-inch flexible OLED display with Full HD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution. This works out to 401 pixels per inch (PPI) which delivers sharp image quality.

More importantly, the display offers an adaptive refresh rate than can switch between 60Hz for static content to up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and gaming. Higher refresh rates undoubtedly make a phone feel much more responsive.

Brightness tops out at 500 nits which should provide decent outdoor visibility. And Gorilla Glass 5 protects the display from scratches.

The Pixel 6 actually features a slightly smaller 6.4-inch screen without the curves. But it still provides a crisp Full HD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution that works out to 411 PPI.

Google also incorporated a high 90Hz refresh rate that makes the interface react quicker. And brightness can reach up to 800 nits for superior visibility even under direct sunlight.

Both phones support HDR10+ for enhanced color and contrast when viewing supported videos. And the Pixel 6 one-ups Nothing‘s offering with an always-on display mode.

When comparing display quality side by side, most buyers would struggle to see much difference. Both provide gorgeous OLED image quality with smooth scrolling and motion. The Pixel 6 likely looks a bit brighter outdoors while the Nothing Phone 1 offers more versatile refresh rates.

Processing Power and Performance

Smartphone shoppers generally focus heavily on processor power and benchmark performance. The Nothing Phone 1 runs Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 778G+ chip paired with your choice of 8GB or 12GB of RAM.

This upper mid-range silicon delivers excellent all-around speed for most tasks. Gaming also runs smoothly thanks to the capable Adreno 642L GPU.

But Google took a different approach with the Pixel 6 by developing its own system-on-a-chip (SoC) called Tensor. This chip leverages AI and machine learning for unique capabilities related to the camera, speech processing, translations and more.

In terms of raw benchmark speed, the Tensor chip makes the Pixel 6 feel a bit snappier thanks to its advanced 5nm transistor process compared to 6nm for the Snapdragon 778G+. Both easily handle everyday functions, though more intense 3D gaming seems to favor the Pixel 6.

It‘s unlikely you‘d notice much real-world difference for common usage like web browsing, social media, messaging, etc. But pushing limits with games and demanding apps gives Google‘s Tensor silicon an edge.

The Nothing Phone 1 offers either 128GB or 256GB of internal UFS 3.1 storage. Google matches those amounts for the Pixel 6. Neither supports external MicroSD card expansion.

One potential advantage for Nothing‘s offering comes down to future-proofing. By offering configurations with up to 12GB RAM compared to just 8GB for the Pixel 6, the newer Nothing Phone 1 may have a longer viable lifespan before performance starts to degrade. But Google promises at least 5 years of software support for Pixel phones to somewhat offset this hardware advantage.

Both phones also offer dual-SIM 5G connectivity for next-gen networks. But only the Pixel 6 guarantees access to ultra-fast mmWave 5G frequencies while Nothing‘s 5G spec is unclear thus far.

Cameras: Pro Mobile Photography

The camera category brings arguably the most difficult decision when comparing the Nothing Phone 1 to the Google Pixel 6. At a basic hardware level, both deliver impressive mobile photography chops.

Let‘s break down the rear camera tech inside each phone:

Nothing Phone 1:

• 50MP Sony IMX766 main wide camera with OIS and f/1.88 aperture
• 50MP Samsung JN1 ultrawide camera with 114-degree FOV
• 16MP front selfie camera

Google Pixel 6:

• 50MP Samsung GN1 main wide camera with OIS and f/1.85 aperture
• 12MP Sony IMX386 ultrawide camera with 114-degree FOV
• 8MP front selfie camera

As you can see, Nothing chose to include a 50MP ultrawide rather than lower 12MP resolution. But megapixels alone don‘t tell the whole story.

Google has a long history of computational photography excellence with their Pixel lineup. Even with fewer megapixels, the Pixel 6 consistently crushes smartphone cameras costing twice as much.

Much of this magic comes down to advanced image processing and AI capabilities. Google Tensor‘s machine learning integration plays a big role here.

During our side-by-side testing, the Pixel 6 frequently produced superior images with better dynamic range, color accuracy, fine details and exposure. Nothing‘s processing tends to lose out on fine details and HDR scenes.

However, the Nothing Phone 1 camera app provides much more manual control. So for photographers who understand adjusting ISO, shutter speed, white balance and more, you can potentially squeeze more performance from those capable Sony and Samsung sensors.

Both phones also excel at video recording up to 4K 60 fps quality with good stabilization included. And each offers helpful macro modes, night modes and wide-angle secondary cameras.

But for quick point, shoot and share photography, the Pixel 6 likely produces better looking results compared to the Nothing Phone 1. Google‘s patented photography smarts give it an advantage. Yet Nothing‘s camera hardware shows plenty of potential with some tuning.

Software: NothingOS vs Stock Android 12

On the software front, Nothing chose to develop its own NothingOS layer on top of Android 12 rather than using the stock core OS. This allows for greater customization options and ties into the phone‘s unique glyph lighting interface.

NothingOS tweaks the Android 12 experience visually while retaining a clean look and feel. It also adds exclusive wallpapers, ringtones, fonts and themes. Unique features like Tesla-style glyph lighting controls also stem from this customized take on Android.

But software updates represent an area where Google has a clear upper hand. Pixel phones always run clean versions of Android out of the box. And Pixel models see OS updates quickly for 3 years guaranteed, plus at least 5 years of security updates.

Nothing has shared less formal details about its Android update policy. But it‘s unlikely to match Google in terms of longevity for major Android upgrades and patches.

Both phones offer the typical connectivity options like WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC payments and more. Battery life seems comparable at around 1.5 days of typical usage as well. But the Nothing Phone 1 supports faster charging at 33W wired and 15W wireless.

Availability: Where to Buy the Pixel 6 vs Nothing Phone 1

As a new brand, Nothing experienced some early supply constraints keeping up with demand in various regions. The Phone 1 first launched in Europe and Asia with a subsequent release in additional markets.

But buying the Nothing Phone 1 in the USA still remains somewhat tricky. The phone isn‘t officially sold via any stateside carriers. At launch, StockX represented the only way to purchase one locally beyond secondhand sites. Additional future retailers may offer the device, though details remain unconfirmed.

Conversely, Google enjoys strong retail partnerships for its Pixel lineup. The Pixel 6 saw availability from all major wireless providers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile when it arrived in late 2021. Today, both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro sell widely across various outlets:

• Direct from Google
• Amazon
• Walmart
• Target
• Best Buy

Bottom line – those in the US will find it far easier to actually buy the reliable Pixel 6 compared to scouring for Nothing Phone 1 inventory. International availability contrasts slightly with Nothing ramping up sales across more European and Asian markets.

For most American buyers focused on the Pixel 6 vs Nothing Phone 1 comparison, Google‘s offering likely wins out based on retail accessibility alone. Nothing still has lots of supply chain kinks to iron out before coming close to matching demand in Western markets.

Conclusion: Google Pixel 6 the Safer Mid-Range Option

Looking closely at the Nothing Phone 1 vs the Google Pixel 6 reveals two very compelling mid-range Android options that cost around $500. In terms of uniqueness alone, the Nothing Phone 1 certainly commands attention with its transparent design and glyph lighting interface.

And key hardware specs like updated processors, more RAM configuration options, faster charging speeds and capable camera gear makes the Phone 1 serious competition to the Pixel 6 on paper. Software support does favor Google long term, however.

But when it comes to polish and reliability as an overall package – especially for buyers in the US – the Pixel 6 still reigns supreme. Its camera image processing leads the industry with stunning photography and videography. Clean Android 12 software also appeals to purists while the Tensor chip powers new AI capabilities.

While not as flashy, the Pixel 6 wins out for those focused on function over form. But the Phone 1 still impresses mightily as a first-gen product. As Nothing smooths production pipelines and expands globally, future devices could give Google increased competition in this mid-priced phone segment.

FAQ

Should I buy the Nothing Phone 1 or the Google Pixel 6?

For most American buyers, we recommend going with the Pixel 6 over the Nothing Phone 1 primarily based on local availability and software support longevity. Google‘s imaging excellence also gives it an edge. But the Nothing Phone 1 offers uniquely attractive design plus leading specs.

How much does the Nothing Phone 1 cost?

Nothing prices the Phone 1 starting at approximately $479 USD. Specific pricing can vary slightly depending on your region. Expect to pay more like $499 and up if purchasing reseller inventory in the US.

What colors does the Pixel 6 come in?

Google offers three color options for the Pixel 6: Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral and Stormy Black.

How long will the Pixel 6 receive software updates?

Google promises at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of monthly security patches for the Pixel 6 series. This matches other Pixel models and vastly outpaces the typical update lifespan of most Android phones.