Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (3a)

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3; launch prices were $1199 and $329. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads — 75/100 vs 60/100 (a 15-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4823); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (2,538,751 vs 1,050,601); the Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably lighter (201g vs 233g).

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Nothing Phone (3a) — the overall rating gap is 15 points.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

Performance 92
Display 85
Camera 71
Battery 53
Portability 30
Value for money 60

Nothing Phone (3a)

Performance 60
Display 79
Camera 61
Battery 48
Portability 54
Value for money 56

What makes Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 2538751 vs 1050601
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3933 vs 1161
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 10223 vs 3390

  • Higher performance (92/100 vs 60/100)
  • Better camera (71/100 vs 61/100)
  • Longer battery life (53/100 vs 48/100)
  • Better display (85/100 vs 79/100)

What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?

  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4823 mAh
  • Faster charging: 45W vs 40W
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
  • Lighter: 201g vs 233g
  • Cheaper at launch: $329 vs $1199

  • Better portability (54/100 vs 30/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Nothing Phone (3a), the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 15 points higher (75/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (92/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (71/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 60/100, Nothing Phone (3a) — 56/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (92/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (85/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (71/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (53/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (54/100 vs 30/100).

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Nothing Phone (3a): The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Nothing Phone (3a)
Processor Apple A19 Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
AnTuTu 2538751 1050601
Geekbench Single 3933 1161
Geekbench Multi 10223 3390
Display 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED 6.8" AMOLED
Resolution 2868x1320 2392x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4823 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 40W 45W
Wireless charging 25W 0W
Main camera 48 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 48 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 48 MP 50 MP
Front camera 18 MP 32 MP
RAM 12GB 8GB / 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB 128GB / 256GB
OS iOS 26 Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP54
Dimensions 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm
Weight 233 g 201 g
Launch price $1199 $329

Camera comparison

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • Main: 48MP f/1.78
  • Ultrawide: 48MP
  • Telephoto: 48MP
  • Front: 18MP
71
camera

Nothing Phone (3a)

  • Main: 50MP f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
61
camera

Display comparison

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Resolution: 2868x1320
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
85
display

Nothing Phone (3a)

  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display

Battery and charging

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • 4823 mAh
  • Wired: 40W
  • Wireless: 25W
53
battery

Nothing Phone (3a)

  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • No wireless charging
48
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Nothing Phone (3a), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Apple A19 Pro
75/100
2538751 AnTuTu
Nothing Phone (3a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
60/100 -141.6%
1050601 AnTuTu

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 141.6% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

$1199

Nothing Phone (3a)

$329

Launch price difference: $870. Nothing Phone (3a) was $870 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (92/100 vs 60/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (85/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (71/100 vs 61/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (53/100 vs 48/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (54/100 vs 30/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is noticeably better than the Nothing Phone (3a) — the overall rating gap is 15 points.

What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Nothing Phone (3a) — 60/100.

Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (71/100 vs 61/100).

Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on performance (92/100 vs 60/100).

Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.