Confused Between Pixel 8a, Galaxy S23 FE, and Nothing Phone 2a – Which One Should I Buy?

Get an s23 ultra, or a nothing phone 3a

Hands down, the Pixel 8a. 🙌🏻 The Pixel camera easily outclasses most competitors in this price range. Plus, Google's a-series is very reliable, especially with its lasting update cycle. You are most likely to feel the battery lagging behind a bit, but honestly: all of your picks aren't famous for their battery life. 😁

I've already recommended the Pixel 8a to a few peeps, and they are happy campers. If I were you, I'd get it. ✌🏼

On Amazon you can get a new s23 ultra for $650. Unbeatable!

Stay away from the Pixel 8a, as it has issues with reception/ dropped calls. Whereas my Galaxy phone could get 4 of 5 bars 5G UC signal, I put the SIM in the Pixel phone, sitting in the exact same spot and it would not get 5G, the best it could do was 1-2 bars of 4G. That phone went back to Google and I haven't touched a Pixel since. Maybe this year's Pixel 10 series will address the bad modems that have plagued the series 6-9 models.

It seems like very few people have actual experience with each of the phones you have mentioned. In reality, what you are asking is for people to justify to you their own purchase of whatever phone they picked.

I'm gonna take a little bit different approach. As a somewhat experienced photographer and someone who has spent time with current phones, in a professional capacity, trying to use employer provided modern and high-end phones for content creation, they don't actually compete with a mid-level and affordable point and shoot camera.

Sure, on a small screen, social media type post, they are plenty adequate, but for image quality, as soon as you try to print those images, or enlarge them, especially with low light and difficult subjects, the phone just can't compete.

You could spend twice your intended budget to get the best phone you can, and it still won't take better pictures than a pocket sized point and shoot. Yes, there is some skill needed to maximize your digital camera potential but even a pocket sized camera has a much larger sensor, much longer optical zoom, and much larger lens (more light gathering, better low light performance)

I struggle with recommending someone to spend hundreds more on a phone when they are prioritizing photos. If you really want better photos, same some money and get the cheaper phone, then spend a $100 to $300, whatever your budget allows and buy yourself a dedicated camera, including considering used models. You might really start having fun and improving your content. Just an idea to consider. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hands down, any iPhone is better