Nothing Phone (3) vs iPhone 16: Which one to buy in the Rs 80,000 segment

iPhone 16, Nothing Phone 3

If you're choosing between the flashy Nothing Phone (3) and the understated iPhone 16, you're essentially deciding between bold innovation and tried-and-tested design. Both fall into the same premium price bracket—roughly Rs. 80,000 (£800–900)—but offer starkly different user experiences. Here’s a deep dive to help you pick the right one.

Nothing Phone (3) vs iPhone 16: Design and display
The Nothing Phone (3) is a statement piece. Its transparent rear, asymmetrical camera island, and Glyph dot-matrix LED panel immediately set it apart. Weighing in at 218 grams, it’s larger and demands attention. The 6.67‑inch 1.5K AMOLED display supports a 30–120 Hz refresh rate and peaks at an astonishing 4,500 nits. It also features Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and 2160 Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort.

In contrast, the iPhone 16 is minimalist, elegant and pocket-friendly at just 170 grams. Its 6.1‑inch Super Retina XDR OLED display refreshes at 60 Hz, hitting 2,000 nits in high brightness mode, and is backed by durable Ceramic Shield glass. Physical keys include the Action Button and Camera Button, where Nothing counters with an Essential Key that logs tasks and a Flip‑to‑Record gesture.

For a striking, feature-rich display, Nothing wins. If you value portability and refined simplicity, the iPhone is your phone.

Nothing Phone (3) vs iPhone 16: Camera capabilities
In optics, the Nothing Phone (3) edges ahead with a triple 50 MP rear camera setup—wide, ultra-wide and a 3× periscope telephoto that supports up to 60× digital zoom—and a 50 MP selfie sensor. Both front and back can capture 4K video.

The iPhone 16 features a more restrained dual-camera arrangement: a 48 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12 MP front-facing camera. Digital zoom tops out at 10×, with 4K video supported across both cameras.

The Nothing Phone (3) offers more camera versatility; the iPhone delivers consistently excellent shots with fewer sensors.

Nothing Phone (3) vs iPhone 16: Performance, battery, and software
Under the hood, the Phone (3) uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, while the iPhone 16 is powered by Apple’s A18 Bionic. Both deliver impressive performance, though Apple’s chip typically leads in raw power. The Nothing matches or exceeds RAM options (up to 16 GB versus iPhone’s fixed memory) and offers faster USB‑C file transfer.

Battery life is where Nothing stands out with a 5,500 mAh cell and 65 W fast charging. The iPhone manages with a 3,561 mAh battery and 25 W charging, yet both support 15 W wireless charging.

Software-wise, Nothing runs Nothing OS 3.5 on Android 15—bringing clean UI and customisation. The iPhone, with iOS 18, is recognised for its seamless performance and strong app ecosystem. Both devices sport IP68 dust and water resistance.

If you want longevity and flexibility—especially fast charging—the Phone (3) leads. For consistent performance and software polish, the iPhone remains unrivalled.

Nothing Phone (3) vs iPhone 16: Pricing & Value
Both devices launched at around Rs. 80,000, but the iPhone 16 is now under Rs. 75,000, making it slightly more affordable. It’s up to you whether you prefer a feature-packed Android device or a simpler iPhone that nails the essentials.

 Nothing Phone (3) vs iPhone 16: Verdict
Choose Nothing Phone (3) if you want distinctive design, advanced camera hardware, fast charging and interactive LED features. It’s ideal for tech enthusiasts who love a flair for innovation. Choose iPhone 16 if you value portability, consistency, a stellar camera experience, and a sleek hardware-software ecosystem that “just works”.