iPhone 16e vs Phone (3a)

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

The Phone (3a) wins this one, taking display and camera decisively. Against the iPhone 16e it's also the sounder buy at $6.16 per month of safe use.

Value Score: iPhone 16e 63 · Phone (3a) 75 — 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 (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.16/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone 16e 50Phone (3a) 80

The Phone (3a)'s screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.

Performance

iPhone 16e 92Phone (3a) 64

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

Camera

iPhone 16e 50Phone (3a) 79

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

Battery

iPhone 16e 60Phone (3a) 80

5,000mAh vs 4,005mAh — the Phone (3a) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone 16e 82Phone (3a) 67

The iPhone 16e is supported until Feb 2032 — 12 months longer than the Phone (3a).

Value

iPhone 16e 63Phone (3a) 75

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.16 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone 16e	Phone (3a)
Price (street)	$599	$349
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak
Chipset	Apple A18	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM	8GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB/512GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	4,005 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	Wired fast charge with 20W+ adapter; Qi wireless up to 7.5W (no MagSafe)	50W wired, no wireless
Rear cameras	48MP main	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm
Weight	167 g	201 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP64
Supported until	Feb 2032	Mar 2031

iPhone 16e full verdict →Phone (3a) 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.