Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (2)
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the lead over the Nothing Phone (2) thanks to its stunning 6.9" display and a whopping 39 hours of battery life. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone (2) offers a unique design and good performance. In real-world use, the iPhone’s 5088mAh battery means you can binge-watch videos for up to 39 hours, making it a powerhouse for heavy users. Key specs: Display: 6.9" vs 6.7" and Battery: 5088 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (premium flagship) and Nothing Phone (2) (high-end) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Nothing Phone |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (126 reviews) | 4.6★ (397 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor) | Iconic transparent design with functional Glyph Interface lighting |
| Main Drawback | Large and heavy form factor (233 g) | IP54 rating is lower than IP68 found in competitors (Pixel 7/8, Galaxy S23 FE) |
| Market Position | ✓Flagship | Premium |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
Nothing Phone (2)
Android
3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
Adreno 730
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (2)
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Nothing Phone (2)
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Nothing Phone (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(126)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 A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro) | Adreno 730 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5 |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1 |
Display Size | 6.9" (6.86" 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 | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) | 2412 x 1080 (FHD+) at 394 ppi |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz) | 1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 1,600 nits (HDR Peak); 1,000 nits (Outdoor Full Screen) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion Main (24 mm, f/1.78), 2nd-gen sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for 24MP and 48MP super-high-resolution photos | 50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.88, OIS, EIS, 24mm equivalent |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Fusion Telephoto (100 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus; enables 12MP optical-quality 8x zoom (200 mm equivalent) | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x optical-quality zoom steps (16x optical zoom range) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 40x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion Main); ProRes up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps | 4K @ 60fps (Main & Ultrawide); Live HDR at 4K/30fps |
Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage (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 | 5088 mAh (Li-ion, eSIM model); Up to 39 hours video playback (35 hours streamed) | 4,700mAh |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher | 45W PPS (Full charge in 55 mins) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; 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 6.0; 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 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Ceramic Shield back; Aerospace-grade aluminum unibody (with internal vapor chamber) | IP54 (Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back) |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.34" (163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm) | 6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm) |
Weight | 8.22 oz (233 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; Always-On display; 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 17 Pro Max
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine; hardware-accelerated ray tracing)
Apple 6-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB (NVMe)
Pros
- Brightest iPhone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor)
- Triple 48MP camera system with 8x optical-quality zoom
Cons
- Large and heavy form factor (233 g)
- Fastest charging speeds require purchasing a 40W+ adapter separately
Nothing Phone (2)
Android
3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
Adreno 730
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5
128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with functional Glyph Interface lighting
- Excellent performance stability with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
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
Which one is better?
Grab the Nothing Phone (2) if you prefer a lighter device at 7.09oz and unique design features.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if: you want the longest battery life, you shoot high-quality videos, or you require top-tier camera performance. (6.9" display, 5088 mAh battery)
Choose the Nothing Phone (2) if: you value a unique design, prefer a lighter phone, or want a bloatware-free Android experience. (6.7" display, 4700 mAh battery)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Safe Choice Buyers
More widely tested with 397 reviews vs 126
→ Choose Nothing Phone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Nothing Phone
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.6★. However, Nothing Phone (2) remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Nothing Phone (2)?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is the better choice if you prioritize brightest iphone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor). Nothing Phone (2) wins if you value iconic transparent design with functional glyph interface lighting. Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.6★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Nothing Phone (2)?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max offers brightest iphone display ever (3000 nits peak outdoor), while Nothing Phone (2) stands out with iconic transparent design with functional glyph interface lighting. Consider that Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max large and heavy form factor (233 g). Meanwhile, Nothing Phone (2) ip54 rating is lower than ip68 found in competitors (pixel 7/8, galaxy s23 fe). Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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