Google Pixel 6a vs Nokia G310: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice. Its Google Tensor chip delivers a dramatically faster and smoother experience, especially in demanding tasks like gaming and photo processing. While the Nokia G310 offers 5G at a lower price, the performance gap is substantial.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Nokia G310 | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 16 | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 24 | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 195.1 g (6.88 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, PD, QC | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | - | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Nokia G310
- Significantly faster performance with Google Tensor
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Long-term software support from Google
- Higher price point
- Slightly slower charging speed
Google Pixel 6a
- More affordable price
- 5G connectivity
- Faster charging (potentially)
- Long battery life
- Substantially slower performance
- Inferior camera quality
- Less vibrant display
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 876 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the Nokia G310 (typical of its price bracket). This makes the Pixel 6a far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While both displays likely feature similar resolutions, the Pixel 6a’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a superior OLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The Nokia G310 likely utilizes an LCD, which, while adequate, won’t match the Pixel’s visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
While detailed camera specs are limited for the Nokia G310, the Pixel 6a benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography. The Pixel 6a’s image processing algorithms excel in dynamic range, noise reduction, and detail preservation. Although sensor sizes aren't specified, the Pixel 6a’s image quality will likely surpass the Nokia G310, even in good lighting conditions. The Pixel 6a’s software features, like Magic Eraser, further enhance its photographic capabilities. We can assume the Nokia G310 will rely more on hardware and less on software for image enhancement.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor, built on a 5nm process, is in a different league than the Nokia G310’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm). The Tensor’s octa-core configuration, featuring high-performance Cortex-X1 cores (2x2.80 GHz), provides a substantial performance advantage over the Snapdragon 480+’s Kryo 460 cores (2x2.2 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Pixel 6a. The 5nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained use. The Nokia G310 will handle basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 6a’s more efficient Tensor chip may allow it to maintain that endurance even with heavier use. The Nokia G310 offers 20W wired charging with PD and QC support, slightly faster than the Pixel 6a’s 18W charging with PD3.0. This means the Nokia G310 could potentially charge slightly faster from 0-100%, but the difference is unlikely to be significant.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia G310 if you absolutely need 5G connectivity on a very tight budget and prioritize battery life over performance. It’s ideal for basic communication, light social media, and occasional web browsing. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a responsive user experience, excellent camera quality, and long-term software support, even if it means spending a bit more. It’s perfect for users who multitask, play mobile games, or rely heavily on their phone’s camera.