Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Nothing Phone (2a)
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max dominates on performance, display quality, and camera versatility with its A17 Pro chip, 2000-nit Super Retina XDR OLED screen, and sophisticated 5x telephoto lens. Nothing Phone (2a) counters with impressive value, offering a larger 5000mAh battery, faster 45W charging, and capable 50MP main camera at nearly one-third the price. Display brightness favors Apple (2000 vs 1300 nits), while processing power is decisively in Apple's court. Nothing delivers solid everyday performance via Dimensity 7200 Pro but lacks the sustained optimization of iOS 17 and premium materials. For professionals requiring computational photography and video capabilities, iPhone 15 Pro Max is essential. Budget-conscious users seeking reliable performance with excellent battery life will find Nothing Phone (2a) compelling despite its plastic construction and lower refresh rate resolution.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing Phone (2a) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 221 g | 190 g |
| Material | Titanium frame | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Samsung GN9 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 5x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4422 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED, LTPO | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2412 x 1084 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 + 6x2.0 GHz A510) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core) | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pros
- First Apple titanium frame, lighter than predecessor
- Powerful A17 Pro chip with hardware ray tracing
- New 5x tetraprism telephoto camera
- USB-C with USB 3 transfer speeds
- Excellent ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Heavy device despite titanium
- No charging speed improvements
- Initial overheating reports at launch
Nothing Phone (2a)
Pros
- Distinctive transparent design with Glyph Interface
- Clean Nothing OS with minimal bloat
- Solid 50 MP dual camera setup
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Plastic build at this price
- No wireless charging
- Only IP54 splash resistance
- Mid-tier Dimensity chipset rather than Snapdragon
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