Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (3)
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores higher in 5 of 6 sections (connectivity & features, performance, battery, camera and display), while the Nothing Phone (3) is not clearly ahead in any section; they are even on design & durability.
The biggest difference is connectivity & features: 84 vs 71 points.
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is the newer model, announced 14 months after the Nothing Phone (3).
- iPhone 18 Pro Max leads in 14 fields
- Phone (3) leads in 5 fields
- 22 ties
41 scored fields compared
Score by section
| Section scores | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Performance | 99 | 87 |
| Camera | 95 | 90 |
| Battery | 91 | 84 |
| Display | 96 | 91 |
| Design & durability | 76 | 78 |
| Connectivity & features | 84 | 71 |
Full specifications
Performance
- Chipset performance index
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 100/100(Better)
- Phone (3): 82/100
- Chipset
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Apple A20 Pro
- Phone (3): Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
- RAM (max)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 12 GB
- Phone (3): 16 GB(Better)
- Storage (max)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 TB
- Phone (3): 512 GB
- Process node
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2 nm
- Phone (3): 4 nm
Camera
- Main camera resolution
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48 MP
- Phone (3): 50 MP
- Main sensor size
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 1/1.28″(Better)
- Phone (3): 1/1.3″
- Optical stabilization (OIS)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Ultra-wide camera
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Telephoto camera
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Periscope lens
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Optical zoom
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 4×(Better)
- Phone (3): 3×
- Video recording
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 4K 120 fps(Better)
- Phone (3): 4K 60 fps
- Front camera
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 18 MP
- Phone (3): 50 MP(Better)
- Front camera 4K video
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
Battery
- Battery capacity
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 5391 mAh(Better)
- Phone (3): 5150 mAh
- Battery endurance (EU label)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 62:00 h(Better)
- Phone (3): 56:23 h
- EU label cycles
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 1000
- Phone (3): 1400
- Wired charging
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Unknown
- Phone (3): 65 W
- Wireless charging
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 25 W(Better)
- Phone (3): 15 W
- Reverse charging
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Reverse charging type
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Wired
- Phone (3): Wired & wireless
Display
- Screen size
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9″
- Phone (3): 6.67″
- Panel type
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: LTPO OLED(Better)
- Phone (3): OLED
- Refresh rate
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 120 Hz
- Phone (3): 120 Hz
- Pixel density
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 460 ppi
- Phone (3): 460 ppi
- Peak brightness
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 3000 nits
- Phone (3): 4500 nits(Better)
- Resolution
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 1320x2868
- Phone (3): 1260x2800
- Screen protection
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Ceramic Shield 2
- Phone (3): Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
Design & durability
- Weight
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 249 g
- Phone (3): 218 g(Better)
- Thickness
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 8.8 mm(Better)
- Phone (3): 9 mm
- Dust & water resistance
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: IP68
- Phone (3): IP68
- Back material
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Aluminum
- Phone (3): Glass
- Frame material
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Aluminum
- Phone (3): Aluminum
- EU repairability class
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: C
- Phone (3): C
- EU drop resistance class
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: B(Better)
- Phone (3): C
- EU energy class
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: A
- Phone (3): A
Connectivity & features
- 5G
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Wi-Fi
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Wi-Fi 7
- Phone (3): Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.0
- Phone (3): 6.0
- USB speed
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: USB 3.x(Better)
- Phone (3): USB 2.0
- USB port
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Phone (3): USB-C 2.0
- DisplayPort output
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): No
- NFC
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- eSIM
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- Ultra-wideband (UWB)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes(Better)
- Phone (3): No
- Satellite connectivity
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes(Better)
- Phone (3): No
- Stereo speakers
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes
- Phone (3): Yes
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Phone (3): No
- Fingerprint reader
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: None
- Phone (3): Under display (optical)(Better)
- 3D face unlock
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Yes(Better)
- Phone (3): No
- Infrared blaster
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Phone (3): No
- FM radio
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Phone (3): No
- microSD slot
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Phone (3): No
- Card slot
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: No
- Phone (3): No
General
- Operating system
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: iOS 27
- Phone (3): Android 15
- OS updates (major versions)
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: Unknown
- Phone (3): 5
- Launch price
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: $ 1,549.00
- Phone (3): $ 579.00
- Year
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 2026
- Phone (3): 2025
Show raw spec textHide raw spec text
Original text from the source spec sheet, for reference.
| — | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Network | ||
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 106 - A3717 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3473 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71, 106 - A3716 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 106 - A3718 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3717 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3473 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3716 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3718 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Launch | ||
| Announced | 2026, September 09 | 2025, July 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2026, September 18 | Available. Released 2025, July 15 |
| Body | ||
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 160.6 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.32 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 249 g (8.78 oz) | 218 g (7.69 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International) · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA) · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; China) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) Monochrome LED display on the back (489 LEDs, notifications, timer, flashlight) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (submerged up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display | ||
| Type | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 960Hz PWM, HDR10+, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield 2 Anti-reflective coating | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i |
| Platform | ||
| OS | iOS 27, upgradable to iOS 27.2 | Android 15, upgradable to Android 17, Nothing OS 5.0, up to 5 major OS updates |
| Chipset | Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) | Qualcomm SM8735 Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.93 GHz + 4x2.64 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (7-core graphics) | Adreno 825 |
| Memory | ||
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM NVMe | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM UFS 4.0 |
| Main Camera | ||
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2) 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | 50 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.7, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.75", PDAF, 3x optical zoom. OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76" |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama), Cinematic from regular video | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
| Single | 18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 | HDR |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@60fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Sound | ||
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Comms | ||
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC, SBAS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| Features | ||
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip) Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
| Type | Market-dependent versions: · Li-Ion 5391 mAh - Nano SIM model · Li-Ion 5567 mAh - eSIM only model | Market-dependent versions: · Si/C 5150 mAh - International model · Si/C 5500 mAh - India model |
| Charging | Wired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired | 65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4 15W wireless 7.5W reverse charging 5W reverse wireless |
| Misc | ||
| Colors | Black, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy | White, Black |
| Models | A3717, A3473, A3716, A3718, iPhone19,3 | A024 |
| Price | $ 1,549.00 / € 1,599.00 / £ 1,299.00 / ₹ 179,900 | $ 579.00 / € 499.00 |
| EU LABEL | ||
| Energy | Class A | Class A |
| Battery | 62:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 56:23h endurance, 1400 cycles |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class C |