iPhone 17 vs Nothing Phone 3
Apple brings the iPhone 17; Nothing answers with the Nothing Phone 3. Both play in the flagship smartphone class. Scoring each area separately, the Nothing Phone 3 comes out on top 2 times out of 5. Its lead is sharpest in display.
At a glance
- Display Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Performance iPhone 17 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 17 wins
- Price Tie
- Display5.9
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera3.8
- Display7.4
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera6.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The iPhone 17 has a 1.45 oz lighter build
Few buyers will miss this one. The iPhone 17 brings 6.24 oz to the table; the Nothing Phone 3 brings 7.69 oz. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has 50% higher peak brightness
When it comes to peak brightness, the Nothing Phone 3 wins comfortably with 4,500 nits against 3,000 nits. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Nothing Phone 3’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has an extra rear camera
It’s a lopsided result (3 for the Nothing Phone 3, 2 for the iPhone 17) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Nothing Phone 3’s extra lens adds.
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The iPhone 17 has a 0.04 in slimmer body
The spread here is large: 0.31 in on the iPhone 17 versus 0.35 in on the Nothing Phone 3. Expect to notice it. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has a sharper 50 MP selfie camera
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Nothing Phone 3 makes its strongest case: 50 MP against 18 MP. If you mainly use the front camera for calls, the gap is minor; if you post selfies often, the Nothing Phone 3’s extra resolution helps.
Design & Size
- iPhone 17 5.89 in × 2.81 in × 0.31 in
- Nothing Phone 3 6.32 in × 2.98 in × 0.35 in
Going by the official dimensions, the Nothing Phone 3 is the larger of the two. The iPhone 17 saves 1.45 oz. How much that matters depends on how you use it. Pick the iPhone 17 and you get a profile 0.04 in thinner.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.32 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.98 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 6.24 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Nothing Phone 3 leads
Look at the display table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Nothing Phone 3. Here the Nothing Phone 3 offers 50% higher peak brightness. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility. The display verdict goes to the Nothing Phone 3.
Peak brightness
iPhone 17: 3,000 nits Nothing Phone 3: 4,500 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Screen size
iPhone 17: 6.3 in Nothing Phone 3: 6.7 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
iPhone 17 leads
The iPhone 17 takes performance by a nose. On the iPhone 17, you get a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 17’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. Weighing only performance, the iPhone 17 comes out ahead.
Process node
iPhone 17: 3 nm Nothing Phone 3: 4 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
CPU cores
iPhone 17: 6 Nothing Phone 3: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
On memory & storage, the iPhone 17 and the Nothing Phone 3 are effectively level. Either phone will serve you equally well on memory & storage.
Camera
Nothing Phone 3 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Nothing Phone 3 leads the camera section with room to spare. The Nothing Phone 3 adds an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Nothing Phone 3 gives you more lenses to choose from. If camera is your priority, the Nothing Phone 3 is the phone to pick.
Rear cameras
iPhone 17: 2 Nothing Phone 3: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Front camera
iPhone 17: 18 MP Nothing Phone 3: 50 MP Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the Nothing Phone 3.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 17 leads
The iPhone 17 has the slight upper hand on battery & charging. On its side, the iPhone 17 has faster 25 W wireless charging. Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up. So if battery & charging tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 17.
Wireless charging
iPhone 17: 25 W Nothing Phone 3: 15 W If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 17 refills quicker there.
Software & Updates
Nothing to tally in the software & updates section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the iPhone 17 and the Nothing Phone 3 each use.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 | 2800 x 1260 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | N/A (not specified) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits | 4,500 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A19 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm (winner) | 4 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 4K60 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 5,150 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 30 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 65 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 5 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.32 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.98 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 6.24 oz (winner) | 7.69 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
With matching launch prices, you’re choosing purely on what each one offers.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2025. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 17 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6.24 oz vs 7.69 oz)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.31 in vs 0.35 in)
- you want faster wireless charging (25 W vs 15 W)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (3 nm vs 4 nm)
Choose the Nothing Phone 3 if…
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (4,500 nits vs 3,000 nits)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (50 MP vs 18 MP front camera)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 17 or the Nothing Phone 3?
The Nothing Phone 3 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather have a 1.45 oz lighter build on the iPhone 17.
Is the iPhone 17 bigger than the Nothing Phone 3?
Going by the official dimensions, the Nothing Phone 3 is the larger one: 6.32 × 2.98 × 0.35 in against the iPhone 17’s 5.89 × 2.81 × 0.31 in.
Does the iPhone 17 perform better than the Nothing Phone 3?
The iPhone 17 has the edge in performance thanks to a newer 3 nm chip process.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 17 or the Nothing Phone 3?
On paper, the Nothing Phone 3 has the stronger camera setup, with an extra rear camera and a sharper 50 MP selfie camera.
Is the iPhone 17’s display better than the Nothing Phone 3’s?
The Nothing Phone 3 has the edge here, offering 50% higher peak brightness.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 17 or the Nothing Phone 3?
The iPhone 17 is lighter, by 1.45 oz.
Executive Summary
Whenever Apple and Nothing go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the iPhone 17 and the Nothing Phone 3 are no exception. I think the Nothing Phone 3 makes its strongest case with 50% higher peak brightness. A second reason: the Nothing Phone 3 comes with an extra rear camera. That said, the iPhone 17 answers with a 1.45 oz lighter build, which some people will value more.
Put simply, the iPhone 17 suits people who care about performance, while the Nothing Phone 3 suits people who put display first.
My pick: the Nothing Phone 3, though the iPhone 17 makes sense if you’d trade the rest for a 1.45 oz lighter build.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.