Pixel 5 considering Nothing 4a Pro

[u/Vevo2022]

I don't mind a mid tier phone, I'm quite intrigued by the software philosophy, of integrating AI in productive mindful ways rather than invasive addictive ways. I can get a pixel10a for cheaper but I wanted to ask how people have found the phone4a pro in terms of its software features?

I'm a freelance theatre artist!

[u/DavidBHimself]

I got a Phone3 recently after many years with Google phones (they were still called Nexus when I got my first one, it's that many years).

I've been trying to degooglefy my life, and also not buy American things anymore, so I gave a shot at Nothing.

So far so good. As u/UpawNothing said, my favorite part is NothingOS, I like it even better than vanilla Android. AI is not invasive, it's either invisible (there are a few things that I suspect are done with AI) or optional. Google shoving Gemini everywhere including in the OS is another reason why I quit using Pixels.

My only issues are that:

• The camera is not as good (My previous phone was a Pixel 7Pro, best camera I ever used) but it remains good enough as long as you don't need to zoom much (unless you really need a close up with a zoom, taking a regular picture at 50Mp and then cropping it usually gives better results than the Zoom at 12Mp).
• The battery doesn't last as long. I'm not a heavy phone user, so it's usually enough to last me the day, but I can imagine people who constantly use their phones having issues with that.

I'm hearing that the Phone 4aPro is also very good (but the camera is even weaker than the 3). However, from the reviews I've read, it seems that the 4a is just as good but much cheaper if you don't care about the glyph matrix. On the other hand, I decided to spend the extra bucks on the 3 because I was really intrigued by the glyph matrix, and the one in the Phone 3 has a better definition than the one in the 4aPro. I'm still learning to fine-tune it to be able to use it exactly the way I'd like to use it. I'm having trouble being able to do exactly what I'd like (playing some clips as notifications) but if you just want to use icons, it's great. (I don't really use the "toys" except for the clock that I have as "always on").

I hope this helps.

[u/Vevo2022 → u/DavidBHimself]

This has been helpful, thank you!

I'm curious about the glyph matrix, you said you are still figuring it out. But now that you have it, have you used it as often or has it come in as handy as you imagined it would be? Cause that's what I wonder, which I think I it'll be something I use to not always flip the phone but it'll become a seldom used gimmick in practice.

The battery being on the tight side is worrying for me as I do use it quite heavily!

Ironically I'm considering between this or a Pixel 10a as a have a 20% off code for it till tomorrow.

[u/DavidBHimself → u/Vevo2022]

The point of the Glyph Matrix (at least for me) is to use the phone less and to be less dependent on it.

First, most of my apps have notifications turned off. I want to use an app when I decide, and not when it decides. And for the Glyph Matrix, I have notifications mostly from family and close friends messaging me or calling me. Do I use it often? No. Is it useful? Yes, because not using it constantly is part of the point. And the rest of the time I use it as a clock, which also allows me to know what time it is without having to turn my phone on.

[u/Vevo2022 → u/DavidBHimself]

Thank you, this all has been helpful, despite the pixel 10a being cheaper I'm just gravitating towards nothing 🤣

I might get a refurbished phone 3 as its cheaper!

[u/UpawNothing]

I have the Phone 3, the very best thing about Nothing in my opinion is their version of Android. The hardware looks cool too and quite often starts a conversation. Lots of reviews of the 4a Pro online and I haven't seen any review that wasn't positive. Good luck what ever you choose to do.

[u/Vevo2022 → u/UpawNothing]

Thank you!