PhoneLifespan

iPhone 16e vs Phone (3)

vs

Winner

Nothing Phone (3)

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

Value Score: iPhone 16e 63 · 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 16e $599
Safe to buy$8.74/mo
2025◆ Buy-by Feb 20302032
Nothing Phone (3) $799
Safe to buy$10.94/mo
2025◆ Buy-by Jul 20302032

Category by category

Display
iPhone 16e 50Phone (3) 70

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

Performance
iPhone 16e 92Phone (3) 86

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

Camera
iPhone 16e 50Phone (3) 79

The Phone (3) has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery
iPhone 16e 60Phone (3) 83

5,150mAh vs 4,005mAh — the Phone (3) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity
iPhone 16e 82Phone (3) 87

The Phone (3) is supported until Jul 2032 — 5 months longer than the iPhone 16e.

Value
iPhone 16e 63Phone (3) 70

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

Full spec table
SpeciPhone 16ePhone (3)
Price (street)$599$799
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz6.67-inch LTPS AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 960Hz PWM dimming
ChipsetApple A18Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
RAM8GB12GB/16GB
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB256GB/512GB
Battery4,005 mAh5,150 mAh
ChargingWired fast charge with 20W+ adapter; Qi wireless up to 7.5W (no MagSafe)65W wired, 15W wireless
Rear cameras48MP main50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope 3x
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm160.6 × 75.6 × 9.0 mm
Weight167 g218 g
Water resistanceIP68IP68
Supported untilFeb 2032Jul 2032
iPhone 16e 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.