Nothing Phone 3 vs iPhone 16
Two makers, one class, one decision: the Nothing Phone 3 from Nothing or the iPhone 16 from Apple. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 3 of 5 areas go to the Nothing Phone 3, and the gap is widest in display.
At a glance
- Display Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Performance iPhone 16 wins
- Memory & Storage Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Camera Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Battery & Charging iPhone 16 wins
- Price Tie
- Display7.4
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera6.1
- Display1.4
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
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
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
On refresh rate, the Nothing Phone 3 posts 120 Hz against 60 Hz for the iPhone 16, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Nothing Phone 3 feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 1.69 oz lighter build
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 6 oz for the iPhone 16 versus 7.69 oz for the Nothing Phone 3. 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 125% higher peak brightness
The iPhone 16 lists 2,000 nits; the Nothing Phone 3 comes in at 4,500 nits. That’s not a rounding error. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
At 256 GB versus 128 GB, this is a decisive lead for the Nothing Phone 3, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has an extra rear camera
If rear cameras is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Nothing Phone 3 leads clearly with 3 to the iPhone 16’s 2. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Design & Size
- Nothing Phone 3 6.32 in × 2.98 in × 0.35 in
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
The Nothing Phone 3 simply takes up more room than the iPhone 16, whether that’s on a desk, in a bag or in a parking space. The iPhone 16 saves 1.69 oz. How much that matters depends on how you use it. The iPhone 16 is 0.05 in thinner than the Nothing Phone 3.
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.32 in | 5.81 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 2.82 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.31 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.69 oz | 6 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Nothing Phone 3 leads
When it comes to display, the Nothing Phone 3 is comfortably ahead. The Nothing Phone 3 steps ahead thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power. Prioritize display, and the Nothing Phone 3 is where you should land.
Refresh rate
Nothing Phone 3: 120 Hz iPhone 16: 60 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
Peak brightness
Nothing Phone 3: 4,500 nits iPhone 16: 2,000 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.
Performance
iPhone 16 leads
The Nothing Phone 3 comes close on performance, but the iPhone 16 does just enough to lead. The iPhone 16 adds a newer 3 nm chip process. The iPhone 16’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. On performance alone, the iPhone 16 gets the nod.
Process node
Nothing Phone 3: 4 nm iPhone 16: 3 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
CPU cores
Nothing Phone 3: 8 iPhone 16: 6 Treat the core count as background information; the chipset name tells you far more about real performance.
Memory & Storage
Nothing Phone 3 leads
If memory & storage is high on your list, the Nothing Phone 3 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Nothing Phone 3 makes its case with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The Nothing Phone 3 starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. Weighing only memory & storage, the Nothing Phone 3 comes out ahead.
Base storage
Nothing Phone 3: 256 GB iPhone 16: 128 GB If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
Camera
Nothing Phone 3 leads
The Nothing Phone 3 dominates the camera section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Nothing Phone 3 brings an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Nothing Phone 3 gives you more lenses to choose from. The camera verdict goes to the Nothing Phone 3.
Rear cameras
Nothing Phone 3: 3 iPhone 16: 2 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.
Ultra-wide camera
Nothing Phone 3: 50 MP iPhone 16: 12 MP If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Battery & Charging
iPhone 16 leads
The Nothing Phone 3 keeps it close on battery & charging, yet the iPhone 16 holds a small lead. Point to the iPhone 16 for faster 25 W wireless charging. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the iPhone 16 refills quicker there. So if battery & charging tops your list, lean toward the iPhone 16.
Wireless charging
Nothing Phone 3: 15 W iPhone 16: 25 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
The Nothing Phone 3 and the iPhone 16 differ on software & updates in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | AMOLED | OLED (Super Retina XDR) |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2556 x 1179 |
| Pixel density | N/A (not specified) | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz (winner) | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 4,500 nits (winner) | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | N/A (not specified) | No |
Performance
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | A18 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 6 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm (winner) |
| RAM | 12 GB | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB (winner) | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 50 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Optical zoom | 3× | N/A (not specified) |
| Rear cameras | 3 (winner) | 2 |
| Front camera | 50 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K60 Dolby Vision |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,150 mAh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 22 h |
| Wired charging | 65 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) | iOS 18 |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 5 years | N/A (not specified) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.32 in | 5.81 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 2.82 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.31 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.69 oz | 6 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The launch prices are identical, so value comes down to which strengths you prefer.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of July 2025. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Nothing Phone 3 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (4,500 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you want the lighter phone (6 oz vs 7.69 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.31 in vs 0.35 in)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (25 W vs 15 W)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (3 nm vs 4 nm process node)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Nothing Phone 3 or the iPhone 16?
The Nothing Phone 3 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless what you want most is a 1.69 oz lighter build.
Which is larger, the Nothing Phone 3 or the iPhone 16?
Size goes the other way: the Nothing Phone 3 is larger (6.32 × 2.98 × 0.35 in), and the iPhone 16 is the smaller option (5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in).
Does the Nothing Phone 3 perform better than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 should be the quicker of the two, with a newer 3 nm chip process on its side.
Does the Nothing Phone 3 have a stronger camera setup than the iPhone 16?
The Nothing Phone 3 has the edge for photography, offering an extra rear camera and a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide.
Which has the better screen, the Nothing Phone 3 or the iPhone 16?
The Nothing Phone 3 has the edge here, offering a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 125% higher peak brightness.
Is the Nothing Phone 3 lighter than the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16 is lighter, by 1.69 oz.
Executive Summary
Cross-brand comparisons are where I find the real differences in philosophy, and the Nothing Phone 3 versus the iPhone 16 shows that nicely. Here’s what matters most to me: the Nothing Phone 3 offers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. And the Nothing Phone 3 doesn’t stop there; it also offers 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Don’t write off the iPhone 16 entirely: it has a 1.69 oz lighter build.
Think about your week. Heavy on display? The Nothing Phone 3. More about performance? The iPhone 16.
My pick: the Nothing Phone 3. The iPhone 16 only comes out ahead if you value a 1.69 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.