iPhone 17 vs Phone (3)
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 1 point overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The iPhone 17 edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: iPhone 17 68 · Phone (3) 69 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
The iPhone 17 finally gives the standard model flagship treatment — a 120Hz ProMotion display, double the base storage, and faster charging — making it the most sensible iPhone for most people.
Pick it if
- ✓ Long-term iPhone keepers
- ✓ Upgraders from iPhone 12–14
- ✓ Resale-value buyers
Skip it if
- ✗ You want a real zoom lens
- ✗ You want a written 7-year support guarantee
At $799 the Nothing Phone (3) asks full-flagship money and answers with the most distinctive design in phones plus a seven-year security promise — the catch is a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 that sits a rung below the chips rivals hand you for the same cash.
Pick it if
- ✓ Design lovers who want to stand out
- ✓ Long-term keepers who value updates
- ✓ People bored of identical glass slabs
Skip it if
- ✗ You want maximum performance per dollar
- ✗ You rely on carrier financing or in-store service
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The iPhone 17's screen is the better one — 6.3-inch super retina xdr oled, promotion 1–120hz, up to 3000 nits peak.
The iPhone 17's Apple A19 is simply the faster chip.
The Phone (3) has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
5,150mAh vs 3,692mAh — the Phone (3) lasts longer between charges.
Both phones' support windows end around the same time.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
Is the iPhone 17 still getting updates in 2026?
Yes — it's Apple's current-generation iPhone. Based on Apple's consistent track record of roughly seven years of updates, we estimate support until around September 2032. Apple's written legal guarantee is a minimum of five years (September 2030).
How many years will the iPhone 17 last?
Bought today, expect six-plus years of software support on Apple's historical pattern (estimated to September 2032; the written minimum is September 2030). The A19 chip has the performance headroom to stay smooth that long — plan for a battery replacement around year 3–4.
How long will the Nothing Phone (3) get updates?
Nothing promises five Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the July 2025 launch, so it's patched until July 2032 — a security window on par with Samsung's Galaxy S and Google's Pixel lines, and longer than the OnePlus 13.
Nothing Phone (3) vs Galaxy S25 or OnePlus 13?
The S25 and OnePlus 13 give you a faster flagship chip for similar money, so on raw specs they win. The Phone (3) counters with a genuinely unique design, the Glyph Matrix, and a seven-year security promise that matches the S25. It comes down to whether character or peak performance matters more to you.
Full spec table
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $799 | $799 |
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, ProMotion 1–120Hz, up to 3000 nits peak | 6.67-inch LTPS AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 960Hz PWM dimming |
| Chipset | Apple A19 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB | 256GB/512GB |
| Battery | 3,692 mAh | 5,150 mAh |
| Charging | Wired fast charge — 50% in 20 min with a 40W+ adapter; MagSafe wireless up to 25W | 65W wired, 15W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope 3x |
| Dimensions | 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm | 160.6 × 75.6 × 9.0 mm |
| Weight | 177 g | 218 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Supported until | Sep 2032 | Jul 2032 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.