Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) — Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 · 256GB · Green
Nothing

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green)

Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 · 256GB · Green

78
/ 100
From $449
VS
iPhone XS Max 256GB — A12 · iOS · 256GB
Apple

iPhone XS Max 256GB

A12 · iOS · 256GB

78
/ 100
From $1,199
Specdex verdict

Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) lands at 78 and iPhone XS Max 256GB at 78. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.

Pick Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) if…

  • ✓Current-gen flagship chipset
  • ✓Competitive price-performance
  • ✓Distinctive design

Pick iPhone XS Max 256GB if…

  • ✓iOS ecosystem
  • ✓Long update support
  • ✓Polished hardware
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Photography

Tie

Stills and video quality across lenses

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Battery life

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green)

Screen-on time and charging

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) leads on battery (76 vs 72).

Performance

Tie

Chipset speed for gaming and heavy apps

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Display

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green)

Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) leads on display (79 vs 75).

Value for money

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) more score per dollar ($449 vs $1,199).

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) 78
vs
78 iPhone XS Max 256GB

Score breakdown

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green)
78
cpu 79
gpu 78
camera 78
battery 76
display 79
design 78
iPhone XS Max 256GB
78
cpu 78
gpu 76
camera 77
battery 72
display 75
design 78

Specs side-by-side

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) versus iPhone XS Max 256GB — full spec comparison
Spec Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) iPhone XS Max 256GB
Chipset
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
A12
Storage
256GB
256GB
Color
Green
—
Release year
2025
2018
OS
—
iOS 12

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green)

Pros
  • +Current-gen flagship chipset
  • +Competitive price-performance
  • +Distinctive design
Cons
  • −US availability varies
  • −Software skin learning curve
  • −Update support shorter than Apple/Pixel

iPhone XS Max 256GB

Pros
  • +iOS ecosystem
  • +Long update support
  • +Polished hardware
Cons
  • −Premium pricing
  • −Limited customization
  • −Lightning/USB-C split across generations

FAQ: Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) vs iPhone XS Max 256GB

Which is better, Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) or iPhone XS Max 256GB? +

Both score 78 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) worth the price? +

At $449, Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.

Is iPhone XS Max 256GB worth the price? +

At $1,199, iPhone XS Max 256GB delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in cpu.

Does Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) or iPhone XS Max 256GB 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 battery life, Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) or iPhone XS Max 256GB? +

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) — leads on battery (76 vs 72). Screen-on time and charging.

Which is better for display, Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) or iPhone XS Max 256GB? +

Nothing Phone (3a) 256GB (Green) — leads on display (79 vs 75). Panel quality, brightness, refresh rate.