Nothing Phone 3 vs. iPhone 16: A Flagship Face-Off
The launch of the highly anticipated Nothing Phone 3 has sparked a key question: how does Nothing’s “true flagship” measure up against the similarly priced iPhone 16? This comprehensive guide compares our hands-on experiences with both devices to help you decide which one deserves a spot on your smartphone shortlist.
Price and Availability
Both the Nothing Phone 3 and iPhone 16 carry a starting price of £799/$799, marking the Phone 3 as the most expensive handset Nothing has ever released. However, the base model Phone 3 boasts 256GB of storage, double the 128GB offered with the entry-level iPhone 16. Given the iPhone 16 has been available for some time, more affordable prices may be found through various retailers.
Design: A Shift in Aesthetics
Nothing has moved away from the iconic Glyph Lights of previous models, introducing the Glyph Matrix on the Phone 3 – a small disc comprised of 489 LEDs that displays notifications in a dot-matrix style. This is complemented by Glyph Toys, a suite of tools like a Digital Clock and Battery Indicator, all displayed within the Glyph Matrix.
The iPhone 16, in contrast, maintains a design very similar to the iPhone 15, with new color options and the addition of a customizable Action Button (replacing the traditional ring/silent slider) and a dedicated Camera Control Button. At 7.8mm thick and 170g, the iPhone 16 is noticeably more compact than the Nothing Phone 3, which measures 9mm thick and weighs approximately 220g, a difference largely attributable to the Phone 3’s larger 6.67-inch display.
Winner: iPhone 16
Screen: Size and Refresh Rate Matter
The Nothing Phone 3 features a larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display, lauded for its brightness, color representation, and contrast. While the Phone 3 lacks LTPO technology – potentially impacting battery life on static pages – it boasts a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 16 offers a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, which remains impressive but is capped at a 60Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness reaches 2000 nits on the iPhone 16, compared to a striking 4500 nits on the Nothing Phone 3.
Winner: Nothing Phone 3
Camera: Detail and Consistency
The Nothing Phone 3 leads in camera quantity, featuring a quad-camera system including a 50MP front-facing lens. It includes a main lens, ultrawide, and a periscope zoom lens, though the zoom capability is limited to 3x before detail is lost. The iPhone 16 utilizes a dual-camera setup with a 48MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide. While the iPhone 16’s hardware is similar to the iPhone 15, it benefits from tweaks that reduce lens flare and deliver detailed, true-to-life images. The iPhone 16’s video recording capabilities are particularly noteworthy, described as “one of the best video capture experiences around.”
Winner: iPhone 16
Performance: Power Under the Hood
Despite utilizing different chipsets – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in the Phone 3 and Apple’s A18 in the iPhone 16 – both devices deliver a solid and impressive user experience. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 provides a fast and smooth experience for gaming and everyday tasks, offering more than enough power for a flagship device. The A18, while not as powerful as the A18 Pro found in the iPhone 16 Pro models, still provides “a lot of processing bang for your buck.” One analyst noted the iPhone 16 can occasionally experience thermal throttling under heavy load.
Winner: Tie
Software: AI Integration and User Experience
The iPhone 16’s integration of Apple Intelligence is a significant selling point, offering features like Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and a Clean Up tool for photos. iOS remains a user-friendly interface, with the upcoming iOS 26 promising a major design overhaul with the introduction of Liquid Glass. The Phone 3’s NothingOS is an almost entirely bloat-free Android skin, featuring AI-powered tools like Essential Space (similar to Pixel Screenshots) and Flip to Record for meeting transcription.
Winner: iPhone 16
Battery: Endurance and Charging Speed
The Nothing Phone 3’s 5150mAh battery provides all-day power, though it isn’t a true two-day phone. The iPhone 16, while lasting a full day on a single charge, is less power-efficient due to its lack of ProMotion technology and smaller battery capacity. The Phone 3 supports 65W fast charging, significantly faster than the iPhone 16’s maximum of 30W (taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes for a full charge). Both devices support 15W wireless charging, with the iPhone 16 benefiting from 25W when paired with a MagSafe charger.
Winner: Nothing Phone 3
Verdict
Choosing between the Nothing Phone 3 and iPhone 16 is a difficult decision, as both offer compelling features and a user-friendly experience. However, if you prioritize a reliable camera, faster wireless charging, and advanced AI capabilities, the iPhone 16 is likely the better choice. On the other hand, if you desire a phone that stands out from the crowd, boasts a larger and brighter screen, and offers faster wired charging, the Nothing Phone 3 could be the perfect fit.
