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The iPhone 17 is the smaller iOS option; the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro has a larger, higher-refresh-rate screen and a periscope telephoto camera. In the cited U.S. prices, Apple announced the iPhone 17 from $799 with 256GB, while Nothing’s live page displayed $419 for an 8GB/128GB Phone (4a) Pro. That is a $380 difference between figures with different price bases and storage, not a like-for-like comparison.
U.S. price difference: $380, but not a like-for-like comparison
Apple announced a U.S. starting price of $799 for the iPhone 17 with 256GB storage, and also listed a 512GB option. Nothing’s U.S. product page displayed $419 for a selectable 8GB/128GB Phone (4a) Pro configuration, with $499 crossed out, when accessed in 2026. The difference between those displayed figures is $380, but Apple’s figure is an announced starting price and Nothing’s is a live page price for a particular configuration. Prices and availability can change, so check each seller’s current listing before buying.
Sources: Apple’s iPhone 17 announcement and Nothing’s U.S. Phone (4a) Pro page.
The Tool Desk
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| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone (4a) Pro |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. price basis | $799 announced starting price; 256GB configuration | $419 displayed for 8GB/128GB; $499 shown crossed out on the live page accessed in 2026 |
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR, ProMotion adaptive refresh up to 120Hz; Apple states up to 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness | 6.83-inch 1.5K flexible AMOLED; Nothing advertises adaptive refresh up to 144Hz and 5,000 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
| Rear cameras | Two 48MP cameras: Fusion Main with optical-quality 2x telephoto and Fusion Ultra Wide | Three-camera system, including a 50MP OIS main camera and 50MP periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom; Nothing advertises up to 140x Ultra Zoom |
| Front camera | Center Stage square sensor; up to 18MP photos, 4K HDR front video and Dual Capture | 32MP wide-angle selfie camera; advertised 89° field of view |
| Battery and charging | Apple estimates up to 30 hours of video playback and up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with an optional high-wattage USB-C adapter | 5,080mAh in most markets, 5,400mAh in India; 50W charging |
| Durability | Ceramic Shield 2 and IP68 water resistance, according to Apple | Gorilla Glass 7i and advertised IP65; Nothing says its rating was tested under 25cm of water for up to 20 minutes |
| Software | iOS 26 at announcement | Nothing OS on Android, with Nothing Essential AI and Glyph features |
| Dimensions and weight | Not stated in the cited announcement material | 163.66 × 76.62 × 7.95mm; 210g, according to Nothing Support |
Sources for manufacturer specifications: Apple, Nothing, and Nothing Support. Nothing Support’s dimensions are from its Spanish-language support material.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Display and size: compact iPhone or larger Nothing?
The iPhone 17’s 6.3-inch screen is smaller than the Phone (4a) Pro’s 6.83-inch panel. That difference affects more than viewing area: Nothing lists its handset at 210g and 163.66 × 76.62 × 7.95mm, making it the more substantial device to carry and hold. The cited support material does not provide matching iPhone dimensions or weight, so this comparison cannot quantify the size or weight gap.
Nothing advertises a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate, while Apple specifies ProMotion up to 120Hz. Those are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements of how smoothly each phone behaves in every app. The advertised peak brightness figures—5,000 nits for Nothing and up to 3,000 nits outdoors for Apple—also refer to different claims and measurement conditions; they should not be treated as a direct brightness test.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Processor and software: choose the platform that fits your devices
Apple identifies the iPhone 17 processor as A19; Nothing names the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 for the Phone (4a) Pro. The cited manufacturer pages do not provide controlled head-to-head benchmarks, so these chip names alone do not establish which phone is faster in everyday use, gaming, or demanding workloads.
The operating systems may be the more practical distinction. The iPhone runs iOS 26 at announcement and is designed around Apple’s ecosystem. The Nothing runs Nothing OS on Android and includes the company’s Essential AI and Glyph features. Choose based on the apps, services, accessories, and other devices you already use; the specifications cited here do not establish a software-support duration advantage for either model.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Cameras: periscope reach versus Apple’s camera features
Nothing’s camera hardware includes a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom. Its page also advertises up to 140x Ultra Zoom, a high-magnification claim that should not be mistaken for 140x optical zoom. Apple describes two 48MP rear cameras, including an optical-quality 2x telephoto option and an ultra-wide camera.
On the front, Apple highlights a Center Stage square sensor, up to 18MP photos, 4K HDR video, and Dual Capture. Nothing lists a 32MP wide-angle selfie camera with an 89° field of view. Megapixel counts, zoom labels, and feature lists do not by themselves show which phone produces better photos or video; no comparable camera samples or controlled tests are established by these specifications.
Rank #4
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Battery, charging and water resistance: read the claims in context
Apple’s battery claim is an estimate of up to 30 hours of video playback. Its fast-charge claim—up to 50% in 20 minutes—requires an optional high-wattage USB-C adapter, so do not assume that adapter is included. Nothing publishes battery capacity and 50W charging: 5,080mAh in most markets and 5,400mAh in India. Capacity, charging wattage, and Apple’s video-playback estimate are different measures; they do not establish which phone lasts longer in a comparable real-world test.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor protection, Apple cites IP68 water resistance and Ceramic Shield 2. Nothing advertises IP65 and Gorilla Glass 7i, and specifies testing under 25cm of water for up to 20 minutes. These ratings and materials describe different manufacturer claims; neither guarantees protection from every spill, drop, or water exposure.
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Which phone should you choose?
- Consider the iPhone 17 if you want iOS, rely on Apple ecosystem features, prefer a smaller 6.3-inch screen, or value Apple’s stated Center Stage and video features.
- Consider the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro if you want a larger screen, Nothing’s advertised 144Hz refresh rate, a periscope camera with 3.5x optical zoom, or the lower of the two cited U.S. page/announcement figures.
- Compare current listings before deciding on price. The $380 gap compares Apple’s announced U.S. starting price for 256GB with Nothing’s displayed U.S. price for 8GB/128GB, and the Nothing page price may change.
Neither manufacturer’s cited materials settle the decision on measured speed, camera quality, battery endurance, long-term software support, or overall value. For those priorities, seek comparable independent testing and confirm the exact local model, storage, warranty, and current price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
