Are you looking to purchase a new mid-range Android smartphone in the $500 price range? If you‘re trying to decide between the buzzy new Nothing Phone 1 and Google‘s reliable Pixel 6, you‘ve come to the right guide. I‘ll be comparing every feature of these two highly capable devices so you can determine which phone best fits your needs and budget.
Overview
Nothing burst onto the smartphone scene in the summer of 2022 with its transparently unique Phone 1. The consumer tech startup founded in 2020 by former OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei attracted investment from prominent names like Tony Fadell of Nest smart home and Apple iPod fame.
While this is Nothing‘s first smartphone, expectations were high for Pei to deliver something both distinctive yet affordable given his track record. The resulting Phone 1 packs capable midrange-level internal specs in a uniquely striking aesthetic thanks to design elements like:
- Transparent back exposing inner components
- Customizable LED glyph notification lights
Google Pixel phones date back to 2016 when the tech giant set out to design their own iPhone rival running Android OS. The Pixel series has carved out a niche in the US smartphone market with:
- Reliable performance
- Excellent cameras
- Timely software updates direct from Google
The late 2021 Pixel 6 ushered in Google‘s new in-house Tensor processor to deliver desktop-class AI functionality in a phone form factor. Combined with Pixel‘s photography prowess, the Tensor-powered Pixel 6 packs impressive capabilities at just $599 unlocked.
With bold new entrant Nothing aiming for the Pixel‘s mid-range value phone crown, let‘s examine how these phones compare across all key metrics – from design and display to performance and cameras. I‘ll declare an overall winner to simplify your buying choice between these compelling Android options.
Design
Your smartphone is likely a daily companion that goes everywhere with you for 1-4 years. As such, design, materials and in-hand feel contribute greatly to overall ownership enjoyment. Here‘s how the industrial design of Nothing Phone 1 and Google Pixel 6 compare:
The most polarizing and praiseworthy design element of the Nothing Phone 1 is absolutely its transparent glass back…
