iPhone 16 Plus vs Nothing Phone (4a)

iPhone 16 Plus

A large 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED that's bright but, for yet another year, capped at 60Hz with no Always-On — the phone's defining weakness.

• The display is only 60Hz for yet another year, with no Always-On option and bezels thicker than the Pro models.
• The 6.7-inch screen is a key reason to choose the Plus over the smaller iPhone 16 for media and big-screen use.
• For long-time 60Hz users the lack of 120Hz isn't a deal-breaker, but spec-conscious buyers find it hard to accept at the price.
• The big screen plus the relatively small Dynamic Island (vs the old large notch) is a standout for upgraders.

Nothing Phone (4a)

A genuine highlight for the price — a big 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED that's bright, sharp and HDR-capable, beating similarly priced rivals.

• 6.78-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits typical / 1,600 nits HBM / 4,500 nits peak at 1224x2720 (440ppi).
• The 6.78-inch display is 23% brighter than the 3a, reaching 1,600 nits outdoors with a 4,500-nit HDR peak.
• Brightness goes up to 4,500 nits peak, remaining easily readable outdoors — the display is very strong for this price range and one of the standout features.
• In the real world it hits around 700 nits peak SDR and ~1,550–1,600 nits in HDR, with 460ppi and dynamic 120Hz.

iPhone 16 Plus

The A18 with 8GB RAM — the same RAM as the Pro this year — delivers strong, future-proof performance, especially as an upgrade from older iPhones.

• The A18 provides enhanced performance and supports Apple Intelligence — 'Pro features at a mainstream price.'
• Optimisations from the new A18 chip clearly improved efficiency over the iPhone 15.
• Your tired old iPhone may run iOS 18, but the iPhone 16 runs it exponentially better — the iterative criticism misses the point for upgraders.
• Owners report great performance and photos, with the powerful chip making the upgrade worthwhile coming from an iPhone 13.

Nothing Phone (4a)

A capable mid-range chip that handles everyday use and casual gaming well — not a powerhouse, but appropriate for the price.

• Gaming is absolutely possible on this device, with solid everyday performance for the class.
• There's no shortage of substantial hardware upgrades over the 3a, even if the design doesn't stand out as much as the Pro.
• After 24 hours the home screen is extremely customisable and feels massively more functional than iOS, with no responsiveness complaints.
• Gesture-based navigation is fully supported and the overall experience is good thanks to Nothing's optimisations.

iPhone 16 Plus

The Plus's headline strength: the best battery life in the entire iPhone 16 line — undercut by slow charging.

• It's claimed to last up to 27 hours of video playback and up to 100 hours of audio playback.
• The battery on the 16 Plus has been significantly better than the 16 Pro Max for some owners — ~9 hours screen-on-time on a single charge with excellent standby.
• Battery life is excellent, a key reason to pick the Plus and a huge step for those used to a 12 Pro Max.
• Proper fast-charging technology has yet to reach Apple's labs.
• iOS 18 adds an 80–100% charge-limit option and visible cycle count to extend long-term battery health.

Nothing Phone (4a)

A ~5,080mAh cell with 50W wired charging — reviewers call endurance strong, but a notable group of owners report disappointing screen-on time.

• The Nothing Phone (4a) features a ~5,080mAh cell which delivers very strong endurance in everyday use.
• The battery grew slightly — about 80mAh in most markets but a more meaningful 400mAh in India — with a 50W PD unit recommended on the box.
• Several owners report only 4–6.5 hours of screen-on time with moderate use — worse than other phones with similar ~5,000mAh batteries.
• Battery life on this phone is excellent in everyday use.