Google may have carved out a niche for itself in the mid-range, but the competition is fierce in 2024. The latest challenger? The OnePlus Nord 4, the latest addition to a range that has already made a strong impression in the past. Let’s see how to decide between them.

Two smartphones in any case very well received in our columns. So how do you make the right choice when renewing your equipment?

The OnePlus Nord 4 (rated 7/10) and the Google Pixel 8a (8/10) are both available for €499. Here’s our versus.

OnePlus Nord 4 and Google Pixel 8a Specifications

David versus Goliath?

Hesitating between the OnePlus Nord 4 and the Pixel 8a means first asking yourself whether you want to opt for a large smartphone, or a compact phone.

The first is a fairly standard size, with its 6.74″ screen and its weight of almost 200 grams. The competitor signed with a G is much smaller, with a 6.1″ screen and 10 grams less on the scale. It is naturally much easier to use with one hand — but does not offer the same viewing comfort.

That said, the OnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly more premium feel than the Pixel 8a. This is thanks in part to an aluminum frame that’s flashier than the Pixel’s plastic shell.

The latter nevertheless has a little extra in terms of durability thanks to IP67 certification, compared to IP65 for its rival.

A very solid Google on the screen

We’ve already discussed the size differences between the two devices. But while both smartphones feature an OLED panel, the Pixel 8a’s comes out significantly better, according to our probes, on the screen part.

In terms of brightness, first of all, it’s night and day. The Pixel 8a clocks in at 1320 nits, while the Nord 4 doesn’t exceed 840 nits. A much brighter panel, but also much more accurate, with a white set at 6560K compared to 6249K for the competition. On the other hand, the Nord 4’s screen will display more saturated and eye-pleasing colors thanks to almost total coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut. OnePlus is also very accurate, with a delta E not exceeding 2 (it is a little over 3 on the Pixel).

Android, Google’s hobby horse

We can’t teach the old monkey to grimace. Inevitably, in terms of software, it’s once again the Pixel 8a that takes the lead.

In terms of features, first, with a deep integration of Gemini, Google’s artificial intelligence, which gives substance to a number of AI features (especially in photo editing). On the OnePlus Nord 4, we are not left out, with great options allowing, in particular, to remove unwanted items from a photo, or to transcribe an audio memo.

In both cases, we appreciate that the amount of pre-installed applications is close to zero. But, Google drives the point home with its absolutely unbeatable update policy: the Pixel 8a will be supported for seven years by the manufacturer. For the OnePlus Nord 4, it will be four years.

Respectively equipped with a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 Soc and Tensor G3, the OnePlus Nord 4 and Pixel 8a offer very close performances in most of the usual benchmarks.

Neck and neck, especially in their graphics offering (GPU), the Snapdragon however loses ground in processes that involve the processor more (CPU).

In fact, we are faced with two mobiles that are very comfortable on a daily basis and do not suffer from any slowdowns. Of the two, if you plan to play a lot of demanding 3D games, you will probably prefer the OnePlus Nord 4 for its larger screen. But, technically, both will offer more or less the same results.

An outdated OnePlus in photos

Forgive the slightly catchy subtitle. Let’s be clear: the OnePlus Nord 4 is a competent camera phone (if we stick to the wide-angle), but it simply doesn’t hold up to the Pixel 8a and Google’s years of experience perfecting its camera department.

OnePlus Nord 4

• Wide-angle: 50 Mpx, 1/1.95″, ƒ/1.8;
• Ultra wide-angle: 8 Mpx, 1/4.0″, ƒ/2.2;
• Selfie: 16 Mpx, ƒ/2.4.

Google Pixel 8a:

• Wide-angle: 64 Mpx, ƒ/1.9;
• Ultra wide-angle: 13 Mpx, ƒ/2.2;
• Selfie: 13 Mpx, ƒ/2.2.

With the main lens, as we said, the OnePlus Nord 4 does very well. The shots are rather natural, nothing goes beyond. A little lack of madness, perhaps, will draw a grimace from people more accustomed to the proposals of a Samsung… or a Pixel, precisely.

Indeed, on Google’s side, we like saturation and pronounced contrasts. A different approach, which is eye-catching. All the photos seem to have a little something extra that tips the scales in favor of the Pixel 8a. Not to mention that Google has experience when it comes to night photography.

With the ultra wide-angle, you shouldn’t expect much from the Nord 4 in terms of precision and sharpness. Loaded with optical defects (distortion in particular), this secondary sensor doesn’t hold a candle to its counterpart on the back of the Pixel, as modest as it may be.

Well, technically speaking, it’s not amazing either. But it’s very well helped by the smartphone’s chip that helps it enhance contrast, correct distortions and recover details in dark areas.

Finally, the pictures speak for themselves, the Pixel 8a is much more capable of offering beautiful photos with the digital zoom. A success once again attributed to the higher resolution of the sensor, but especially to the quality of Google’s processing algorithms.

A more durable OnePlus Nord 4

It’s obvious: a bigger smartphone also means a more generous battery. The OnePlus Nord 4 therefore takes home the prize for battery life, recorded at more than 14 hours on our automated ViSer protocol. For the Google Pixel 8a, count 2 hours less. It’s not huge, but it can make a difference at the end of a busy day.

On the charging side, OnePlus also keeps the crown. The Nord 4 regains all its colors in an hour flat while the Pixel 8a requires 1h30 on mains before reaching 100%.

OnePlus Nord 4 or Google Pixel 8a: which one to choose?

The results are quite clearly in favor of the Google Pixel 8a. Whether in terms of display quality, performance, software and especially photography, it is only on battery life that the OnePlus Nord 4 stands out.

That being said, we addressed it first, it will be necessary to keep in mind that the Pixel 8a is a compact smartphone. If you want a large screen, the OnePlus Nord 4 is inevitably regaining interest. The fact remains that, overall, Google’s midrange is much better equipped in all usage scenarios.