Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black)
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 · 256GB · Black
iPhone 17 Pro Max
A19 Pro · 6.9″ OLED · IP68
iPhone 17 Pro Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) lands at 82 and iPhone 17 Pro Max at 96. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max ahead by 14 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) if…
- ✓Current-gen flagship chipset
- ✓Competitive price-performance
- ✓Distinctive design
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- ✓A19 Pro chip
- ✓Up to 39 hours video playback
- ✓Up to 2 TB storage
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhotography
iPhone 17 Pro MaxStills and video quality across lenses
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera (95 vs 82).
Battery life
iPhone 17 Pro MaxScreen-on time and charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on battery (92 vs 80).
Performance
iPhone 17 Pro MaxChipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on cpu (98 vs 83).
Display
iPhone 17 Pro MaxPanel quality, brightness, refresh rate
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on display (95 vs 83).
Value for money
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) more score per dollar ($549 vs $1,199).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Apple A19 Pro chip |
| Storage | 256GB | 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB |
| Color | Black | — |
| Release year | 2025 | — |
| Display | — | 6.9″ OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 39 hours |
| Charging | — | 50% in 20 min with 40W adapter; MagSafe up to 25W |
| OS | — | iOS 26 |
| Weight | — | 233 g |
| IP rating | — | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) |
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black)
- +Current-gen flagship chipset
- +Competitive price-performance
- +Distinctive design
- −US availability varies
- −Software skin learning curve
- −Update support shorter than Apple/Pixel
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- +A19 Pro chip
- +Up to 39 hours video playback
- +Up to 2 TB storage
- −Premium price
- −Weighs 233 g
- −Wired charging requires 40W+ adapter
FAQ: Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Which is better, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 14. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) worth the price? +
At $549, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in cpu.
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) or iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 photography, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on camera (95 vs 82). Stills and video quality across lenses.
Which is better for battery life, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro 256GB (Black) or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on battery (92 vs 80). Screen-on time and charging.