iPhone 16 vs Phone (3)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3)

The Phone (3) wins this one, taking battery and display decisively. Against the iPhone 16 it's also the sounder buy at $10.94 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 16 59 · Phone (3) 70 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone 16 $699

Safe to buy$11.05/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Sep 20292031

Nothing Phone (3) $799

Safe to buy$10.94/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Jul 20302032

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16 50Phone (3) 70

The Phone (3)'s screen is the better one — 6.67-inch ltps amoled, 120hz, hdr10+, 960hz pwm dimming.

Performance

iPhone 16 92Phone (3) 86

The iPhone 16's Apple A18 is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone 16 62Phone (3) 79

The Phone (3) has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

iPhone 16 51Phone (3) 83

5,150mAh vs 3,561mAh — the Phone (3) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16 75Phone (3) 87

The Phone (3) is supported until Jul 2032 — 10 months longer than the iPhone 16.

Value

iPhone 16 59Phone (3) 70

Overall value goes to the Phone (3) at $10.94 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16	Phone (3)
Price (street)	$699	$799
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.67-inch LTPS AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 960Hz PWM dimming
Chipset	Apple A18	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
RAM	8GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	256GB/512GB
Battery	3,561 mAh	5,150 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge — 50% in ~30 min with 20W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W	65W wired, 15W wireless
Rear cameras	48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope 3x
Dimensions	147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm	160.6 × 75.6 × 9.0 mm
Weight	170 g	218 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP68
Supported until	Sep 2031	Jul 2032

iPhone 16 full verdict →Phone (3) full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.