Apple iPhone 16vsNothing Phone (2a)
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Apple iPhone 16 wins
Verdict
Apple iPhone 16 wins 2 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Apple iPhone 16 is the overall winner, taking 2 of 5 categories — camera is its standout. It costs USD 799 — USD 450 more than the Nothing Phone (2a). Pay the premium if camera is your priority.
- Apple iPhone 16 takes Performance — led by performance score (1,400,000 pts).
- Nothing Phone (2a) takes Display — led by refresh rate (120 Hz).
- Apple iPhone 16 takes Camera — led by camera quality (142 pts).
- Too close to call between Nothing Phone (2a) and Apple iPhone 16.
- Nothing Phone (2a) takes Price — led by price (349 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,400,000 pts vs 700,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 394 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,000 nits vs 1,300 nits.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want better video quality — 94 pts vs 82 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want a better camera — 142 pts vs 112 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 16 if you want the convenience of wireless charging — Yes vs No.
Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want…
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want a bigger screen — 6.7 in vs 6.1 in.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want smoother scrolling — 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want sharper selfies — 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want longer battery life — 5,000 mAh vs 3,561 mAh.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want faster charging — 45 W vs 20 W.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want a lower price — 349 USD vs 799 USD.
At a glance
- Apple iPhone 16
- Nothing Phone (2a)
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto lens
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video quality
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera quality
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Apple iPhone 16
Choose Apple iPhone 16 if camera matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 799.
Nothing Phone (2a)
Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if price matters most. It costs USD 349, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Apple iPhone 16
- A18 speed
- Camera Control button
- Strong resale value
- 60 Hz display
- Slow 20 W charging
- No telephoto lens
Nothing Phone (2a)
- Unique Glyph design
- Clean software
- Good price
- Mid-range chipset
- No telephoto
- 45 W charging