The OnePlus Nord offers a ridiculous amount of smartphone for £30 more than the Pixel.

Although OnePlus has a good software update track record, it's unlikely to keep pace with Google's day-one updates over time.

It's a great time to buy a mid-range smartphone, with phones like the OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a breaking cover in recent weeks.

Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central.

On both the inside and outside, there's a stark contrast between the OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a.

The Pixel 4a, conversely, is definitely the winner for fans of small phones, being one of the few high-profile Android phones around the same size as a smaller "Pro" model iPhone.

Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central.

Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central.

Google and OnePlus are both well known for their slick, fast Android software, and on the surface, the Nord and the Pixel 4a share a similar software aesthetic.

Google's Pixel software is all about tight integration with the company's own services, particularly Google Assistant, which is at the heart of the phone's intelligent capabilities.

The Nord is the first OnePlus phone to use Google's own phone dialer and Android Messages app for calls and texts by default.

Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central.

When it comes to software updates, Google leads the way with a full three years of platform updates for its Pixel phones from their U.S.

Meanwhile OnePlus is no slouch, offering two years of platform updates and a third year of Android security patches.

During their supported lifespan, Pixel phones can update to new versions of Android from day one.

The greatest software edge for Google, however, might be the Pixel 4a's camera.

Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central.

Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central?

With the OnePlus Nord not being sold in the U.S., and the Pixel 4a limited to a handful of countries at present, there are only a few territories where both the Nord and the Pixel will be sold side-by-side.

The Pixel is also first in line for new Google features with its day-one Android updates and regular Pixel feature drops, so if you're an Android nerd, that's a big draw.

The Google Pixel 4a lacks some of the Nord's whizbang features, but is slightly cheaper, and still packs all the smartphone power most people will need.

The OnePlus Nord is exceptionally good value for money, and technically superior to the Pixel 4a in most respects

The Pixel 4a is a great phone for an even greater price, but it isn't the most flashy phone on the market

The OnePlus Nord is finally here, and it's a wonderful value of a phone, but before you bring yours out into a world full of shattering drops and scratchy surfaces, you need to protect it with a quality case