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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 16 vs Nothing Phone (2)
You'd expect the Apple iPhone 16 to dominate, but the Nothing Phone (2) has some surprises that make it a tough competitor. In real-world use, the Nothing Phone (2) shines with its 6.7" LTPO OLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling feel twice as smooth compared to the iPhone's 60Hz. Battery life: Apple iPhone 16 is rated for up to 22 hours.
📱 Display: 6.1" vs 6.7"⚡ Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz🔋 Battery: 3561 mAh vs 4700 mAh
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Apple iPhone 16
★4.8
(219)•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 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
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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.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone 16
Nothing Phone (2)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 16
6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Nothing Phone (2)
6.7"Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 16
60 Hz
Nothing Phone (2)
1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive)Winner
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 16
Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Nothing Phone (2)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 16
8 GB
Nothing Phone (2)
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5Winner
Storage
Apple iPhone 16
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Nothing Phone (2)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1Winner
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 16
48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), 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
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Nothing Phone (2)
50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 16
3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Nothing Phone (2)
4,700mAhWinner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 16
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; 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
6.00 oz (170 g)Winner
Nothing Phone (2)
7.09 oz (201.2 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 16
5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 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
iOS
Nothing Phone (2)
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 16
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.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 vs Nothing Phone (2)
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8(219)Best Buy
Nothing Phone (2)
★4.6(397)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 | Nothing Phone (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(219)Best Buy | ★4.6(397)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly) |
Processor | Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) | Adreno 730 |
RAM | 8 GB | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5 |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1 |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.7" |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz Adaptive, 1,600 nits (Peak Pixel Brightness) |
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) | 2412 x 1080 (FHD+) at 394 ppi |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1,600 nits (HDR Peak); 1,000 nits (Outdoor Full Screen) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.88, OIS, EIS, 24mm equivalent |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support | 50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 10x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 4K @ 60fps (Main & Ultrawide); Live HDR at 4K/30fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 32MP Sony IMX615, f/2.45, 1080p @ 60fps |
Battery | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback | 4,700mAh |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | 45W PPS (Full charge in 55 mins) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | 15W Qi Dual-coil (Full charge in 130 mins); 5W Reverse Wireless |
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 | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back | IP54 (Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back) |
Dimensions | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) | 6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm) |
Weight | 6.00 oz (170 g) | 7.09 oz (201.2 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Glyph Interface (33 addressable LED zones), Glyph Composer, Essential Notifications, Stereo Speakers |
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Apple iPhone 16
Rating:★4.8(219)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 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
RAM:8 GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; 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 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.00 oz (170 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- • 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- • Added Macro photography support to the non-Pro lineup
- • MagSafe charging speed increased to 25W (requires 30W adapter)
- • New physical Camera Control and Action buttons added
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
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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 Nothing Phone (2) is the better buy for most people - its 120Hz refresh rate crushes the iPhone 16's 60Hz. That said, grab the iPhone 16 if you want top-tier performance and camera capabilities - it's the smarter buy for serious photography.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 if: you prioritize photography with a 48MP camera, need a device with long software support (5 years), or prefer iOS for its ecosystem.
Choose the Nothing Phone (2) if: you want a stunning 6.7" display for gaming, need a longer-lasting 4700mAh battery, or enjoy unique design features like the Glyph Interface.
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 excels if you value a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. 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
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.