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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (2)

Get the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max unless you want to save money. Its 6.9" display crushes the Nothing Phone (2)'s 6.7" screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption. After testing both devices, the iPhone's 33 hours of video playback from a 4685mAh battery makes it a no-brainer for binge-watching. On the flip side, the Nothing Phone (2) shines with its unique Glyph Interface, but its IP54 rating falls short against the iPhone's IP68, meaning less durability in water exposure.

📱 Display: 6.9" vs 6.7"🔋 Battery: 4685 mAh vs 4700 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.01 oz vs 7.09 oz

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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

4.7
(348)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
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Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2)

4.6
(397)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
Graphics:Adreno 730
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Nothing Phone (2)
6.7"
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Nothing Phone (2)
1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Nothing Phone (2)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Nothing Phone (2)
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5Winner
Storage
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Nothing Phone (2)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1Winner
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Nothing Phone (2)
50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.88, OIS, EIS, 24mm equivalentWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Nothing Phone (2)
50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed)
Nothing Phone (2)
4,700mAhWinner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W
Nothing Phone (2)
15W Qi Dual-coil (Full charge in 130 mins); 5W Reverse Wireless
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
7.99 oz (227 g)
Nothing Phone (2)
7.09 oz (201.2 g)Winner
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm)
Nothing Phone (2)
6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS
Nothing Phone (2)
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Nothing Phone (2)
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (2)

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

4.7(348)Best Buy
Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2)

4.6(397)Amazon
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Rating:4.7(348)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels
Optical Zoom:5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range
Digital Zoom:Up to 25x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.99 oz (227 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite

✓ Pros:

  • Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders
  • 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
  • Excellent battery life (4685 mAh), among the best in class
  • Dedicated Camera Control button mimics a DSLR shutter
  • Support for 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording for professional slow-motion

✗ Cons:

  • Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users
  • Fastest charging speeds (MagSafe 25W) require purchasing a new puck and adapter
  • US models lack a physical SIM tray (eSIM only)
  • Base storage starts at 256GB, raising the entry price
  • USB-C cable included in the box is limited to USB 2 speeds (pro transfer speeds require separate cable)

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Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2)

Rating:4.6(397)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
Graphics:Adreno 730
RAM:8GB / 12GB LPDDR5
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Display Size:6.7"
Screen Type:LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz Adaptive, 1,600 nits (Peak Pixel Brightness)
Resolution:2412 x 1080 (FHD+) at 394 ppi
Refresh Rate:1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,600 nits (HDR Peak); 1,000 nits (Outdoor Full Screen)
Main Camera:50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.88, OIS, EIS, 24mm equivalent
Ultra-Wide Camera:50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K @ 60fps (Main & Ultrawide); Live HDR at 4K/30fps
Front Camera:32MP Sony IMX615, f/2.45, 1080p @ 60fps
Battery:4,700mAh
Wired Charging:45W PPS (Full charge in 55 mins)
Wireless Charging:15W Qi Dual-coil (Full charge in 130 mins); 5W Reverse Wireless
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:IP54 (Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back)
Dimensions:6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm)
Weight:7.09 oz (201.2 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Glyph Interface (33 addressable LED zones), Glyph Composer, Essential Notifications, Stereo Speakers

✓ Pros:

  • Iconic transparent design with functional Glyph Interface lighting
  • Excellent performance stability with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Power-efficient LTPO OLED display (1-120Hz)
  • Clean, bloatware-free software experience (Nothing OS)
  • Supports both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging

✗ Cons:

  • IP54 rating is lower than IP68 found in competitors (Pixel 7/8, Galaxy S23 FE)
  • Camera system lacks a dedicated telephoto/optical zoom lens
  • Digital zoom performance (max 10x) is weak compared to class leaders
  • Ultrawide sensor (Samsung JN1) struggles in low light compared to main sensor
  • No charger included in the box

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Which one is better?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the better buy for most people - its stunning 6.9" display crushes the Nothing Phone (2)'s 6.7".

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if: you want the largest display at 6.9", need longer battery life with 33 hours of playback, or love high-quality photography with a 48MP Ultra Wide camera.
Choose the Nothing Phone (2) if: you appreciate unique designs with a transparent back, prefer a lighter phone at 7.09oz, or need a more affordable option without sacrificing performance.

Conclusion

We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max excels if you value largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders. Nothing Phone (2) is better if you prioritize iconic transparent design with functional glyph interface lighting. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

Affiliate disclosure

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