Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
iPhone XS Max 128GB — A12 · iOS · 128GB
Apple

iPhone XS Max 128GB

A12 · iOS · 128GB

78
/ 100
From $1,099
VS
Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) — Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 · 256GB · Black
Nothing

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 · 256GB · Black

78
/ 100
From $449
Specdex verdict

Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.

In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone XS Max 128GB lands at 78 and Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) at 78. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.

Pick iPhone XS Max 128GB if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware

Pick Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) if…

  • ✓Current-gen flagship chipset
  • ✓Competitive price-performance
  • ✓Distinctive design
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Photography

Tie

Stills and video quality across lenses

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Battery life

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Screen-on time and charging

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) leads on battery (76 vs 72).

Performance

Tie

Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Display

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) leads on display (79 vs 75).

Value for money

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) more score per dollar ($449 vs $1,099).

iPhone XS Max 128GB 78
vs
78 Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Score breakdown

iPhone XS Max 128GB
78
cpu 78
gpu 76
camera 77
battery 72
display 75
design 78
Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)
78
cpu 79
gpu 78
camera 78
battery 76
display 79
design 78

Specs side-by-side

iPhone XS Max 128GB versus Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) — full spec comparison
Spec iPhone XS Max 128GB Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)
Chipset
A12
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
Storage
128GB
▲ 256GB
OS
iOS 12
—
Release year
2018
2025
Color
—
Black

iPhone XS Max 128GB

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Pros
  • +Current-gen flagship chipset
  • +Competitive price-performance
  • +Distinctive design
Cons
  • −US availability varies
  • −Software skin learning curve
  • −Update support shorter than Apple/Pixel

FAQ: iPhone XS Max 128GB vs Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)

Which is better, iPhone XS Max 128GB or Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)? +

Both score 78 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is iPhone XS Max 128GB worth the price? +

At $1,099, iPhone XS Max 128GB delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.

Is Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) worth the price? +

At $449, Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.

Does iPhone XS Max 128GB or Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for battery life, iPhone XS Max 128GB or Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)? +

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) — leads on battery (76 vs 72). Screen-on time and charging.

Which is better for display, iPhone XS Max 128GB or Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black)? +

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Black) — leads on display (79 vs 75). Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate.