Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) vs Google Pixel 3 (128GB)
Side by side comparison between Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 3 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.3"
POLED
POLED
1080x2424
48
MP
MP
13mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5100
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
5.5"
POLED
POLED
1080x2160
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
2915
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
21 Advantages 
5 Advantages | 32 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back / Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| P-OLED |
| HDR8 |
| 16 million |
| Dual-LED flash |
| Only digital zoom |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| +25 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Model | Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Pixel 3 (128GB) |
| Other model names | Google Pixel 9a GXQ96 | Google Pixel 3 G013A, HTC Blueline |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | ||
| Release date | 4/10/2025, Announced: 3/19/2025 | 10/18/2018, Announced: 10/9/2018 |
| Depth | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 73.3 x 154.7 millimeters (2.89 x 6.09 in) | 68.2 x 145.6 millimeters (2.69 x 5.73 in) |
| Weight | 186 grams (6.51 ounces) | 148 grams (5.18 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Display type | P-OLED | P-OLED |
| Screen size | 6.3" inches | 5.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~83.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~78.6% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2424 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2160 pixels (18:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 421 PPI | 439 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | 2700nits[peak] HDR8 Always-On Display | HDR8 Always-On Display 100% DCI-P3 |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| System version | Android 15 | Android 9.0 Pie |
| Firmware update | Android 16 | Android 12 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Google Tensor G4 (4nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) (10nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.1GHz ARM Cortex-X4 (Single-core) 3x 2.6GHz ARM Cortex-A720 (Triple-core) 4x 1.92GHz ARM Cortex-A520 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.5GHz Kryo 385 Gold (Quad-core) 4x 1.6GHz Kryo 385 Silver (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G715 MP7 (940MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 630 (710MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 1030262 (v10) | AnTuTu: 285044 (v7) Geekbench: 8337 (v4.4) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5X | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 | 128GB (114GB available) UFS 2.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 3000/1024 Mbps | 1024/75 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 41, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78) | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, HSDPA, HSUPA, UMTS, HSPA+, LTE, LTE-A, TD-LTE |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 41, 48) VoLTE | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 48 megapixels 13MP ultrawide f/2.2120°1/3.1"1.12µm | 12.2 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 8000x6000 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 25mm (lens) | 28mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2" inches | 1/2.55" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.8µm pixel | 1.4µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Not supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps | 1080p@120fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 13 megapixels | (dual front camera) 8 megapixels 8MP ultrawide f/2.219mm |
| Front camera resolution | 4128x3096 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 20mm (lens) | 28mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3.1" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Stereo sound |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263 |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C jack with 3.5mm jack adapter |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | feature not registered | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 5100 mAh | 2915 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 23W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 18W (9V/2A) Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Qi wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony • Google Cast | • Colors: Clearly White, Just Black, Not Pink |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Google Pixel 9a (GXQ96 128GB) | Google Pixel 3 (128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.99W/kg (head), 1.39W/kg (body) | feature not registered |