Nothing
Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White)
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 · 512GB · White
78
/ 100
From $549
VS
Apple
iPhone XS Max 256GB
A12 · iOS · 256GB
78
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) lands at 78 and iPhone XS Max 256GB at 78. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) if…
- ✓Current-gen flagship chipset
- ✓Competitive price-performance
- ✓Distinctive design
Pick iPhone XS Max 256GB if…
- ✓iOS ecosystem
- ✓Long update support
- ✓Polished hardware
Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) 78
vs 78 iPhone XS Max 256GB
Score breakdown
Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White)
78 cpu 79
gpu 78
camera 78
battery 76
display 79
design 78
iPhone XS Max 256GB
78 cpu 78
gpu 76
camera 77
battery 72
display 75
design 78
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) | iPhone XS Max 256GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | A12 |
| Storage | ▲ 512GB | 256GB |
| Color | White | — |
| Release year | 2025 | 2018 |
| OS | — | iOS 12 |
Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White)
Pros
- +Current-gen flagship chipset
- +Competitive price-performance
- +Distinctive design
Cons
- −US availability varies
- −Software skin learning curve
- −Update support shorter than Apple/Pixel
iPhone XS Max 256GB
Pros
- +iOS ecosystem
- +Long update support
- +Polished hardware
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −Limited customization
- −Lightning/USB-C split across generations
FAQ: Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) vs iPhone XS Max 256GB
Which is better, Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) or iPhone XS Max 256GB? +
Both score 78 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) worth the price? +
At $549, Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone XS Max 256GB worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone XS Max 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.
Does Nothing Phone (3a) 512GB (White) or iPhone XS Max 256GB 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.