Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Nothing Phone (2)
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 Plus commands a $300 premium with superior display technology, offering 2000 nits peak brightness against Nothing Phone (2)'s 1600 nits, plus Apple's proprietary A18 chipset delivering unmatched performance optimization for iOS 18. Nothing Phone (2) counters with compelling specs: 120Hz refresh rate versus iPhone's 60Hz, faster 45W charging, and dual 50MP cameras with optical image stabilization at a significantly lower price point. Display resolution slightly favors iPhone's 2796x1290 rendering. Both devices share 8GB RAM and identical USB-C/5G connectivity. Battery capacity edges toward Nothing at 4700mAh versus 4674mAh. For users prioritizing raw performance, ecosystem integration, and display quality, iPhone 16 Plus justifies its cost. Budget-conscious consumers seeking excellent cameras, faster charging, and smooth 120Hz scrolling should seriously consider Nothing Phone (2), which delivers remarkable value despite stepping down to IP54 water resistance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 Plus if…
- →Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- →A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with improved Glyph lights
- →Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- →Clean Nothing OS software experience
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Pros
- Excellent battery life from large 4674 mAh cell
- A18 chip supports Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Bright 2000-nit display
- More affordable than Pro Max
Cons
- Still locked to 60Hz refresh rate
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No always-on display
Nothing Phone (2)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with improved Glyph lights
- Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Clean Nothing OS software experience
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Bright LTPO AMOLED display
Cons
- Only IP54 rated
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- Glyph Interface is more novelty than utility
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Nothing Phone (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13, Nothing OS 2.0 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 199 g | 201 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX890 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4674 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2412 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3x2.75 GHz A710 + 4x1.8 GHz A510) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Nothing products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Nothing Phone (2).