The iPhone 17 is the smaller iOS option; the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro gives you a larger screen and a periscope telephoto camera. In the U.S. figures cited here, Apple announced the iPhone 17 at $799 starting with 256GB, while Nothing’s live U.S. 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 price comparison. Check both listings for current pricing before buying.
How do the U.S. prices compare?
Apple announced a U.S. starting price of $799 for the iPhone 17 with 256GB of storage in 2025; Apple also lists a 512GB option. When accessed in 2026, Nothing’s U.S. product page displayed $419 for a selectable Phone (4a) Pro configuration with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, alongside a crossed-out $499. The $380 difference is between Apple’s announced starting price and Nothing’s displayed page price for that specific configuration—not between equivalent storage tiers or necessarily current checkout prices.
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These are U.S. figures only. Prices, configurations, and promotions can change, so confirm the market, storage, and current listing for each phone before comparing totals. The cited amounts do not establish pricing in other countries.
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| Feature | Apple iPhone 17 | Nothing Phone (4a) Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR; adaptive ProMotion up to 120Hz; Apple says peak outdoor brightness reaches 3,000 nits. | 6.83-inch 1.5K flexible AMOLED; advertised adaptive refresh up to 144Hz and peak brightness of 5,000 nits. |
| 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 a 50MP periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom; Nothing advertises up to 140x Ultra Zoom. |
| Front camera | Center Stage square sensor, up to 18MP for photos; Apple describes 4K HDR front video and Dual Capture. | 32MP wide-angle selfie camera; advertised 89-degree field of view. |
| Battery and charging | Apple estimates up to 30 hours of video playback and says it can charge up to 50% in 20 minutes with an optional high-wattage USB-C adapter. | 5,080mAh battery in most markets, 5,400mAh in India, and 50W charging, according to Nothing. |
| Durability | Apple cites Ceramic Shield 2 and IP68 water resistance. | Nothing advertises IP65 and Gorilla Glass 7i. Its stated water test was at up to 25cm for up to 20 minutes. |
| Software | iOS 26 at announcement, with Apple ecosystem features. | Nothing OS on Android, including Nothing’s Essential AI and Glyph features. |
| Size and weight | 6.3-inch display; dimensions and weight are not stated in the cited material. | 6.83-inch display; Nothing Support lists 163.66 × 76.62 × 7.95mm and 210g. The support information is in Spanish, so check local variant details. |
These are manufacturer claims, not results from controlled, head-to-head testing. In particular, brightness figures can reflect different measurement conditions; the listed nits do not by themselves establish which display looks brighter in ordinary use. Neither the processor names nor camera resolutions establish a performance or image-quality winner.
#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%.
Which display and size make more sense?
Choose the iPhone 17 if you want a smaller handset
At 6.3 inches, the iPhone 17 has the smaller display of the two. Apple specifies adaptive ProMotion refresh up to 120Hz. That combination may suit someone who prefers a more compact screen or already wants an iPhone, but the cited information does not provide its dimensions or weight for a direct physical-size comparison.
Choose the Phone (4a) Pro if screen size is a priority
Nothing’s 6.83-inch display is substantially larger by diagonal measurement, and its advertised refresh rate reaches 144Hz. The listed 210g weight and dimensions also make clear that this is a sizable handset; fit in a pocket or comfortable one-handed use will depend on the person and how they hold a phone.
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%.
How should you compare the cameras?
Zoom hardware
Nothing’s advertised camera distinction is a periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom, plus a claim of up to 140x Ultra Zoom. Optical zoom is achieved by the camera optics; a very high advertised zoom figure can involve substantial digital magnification and should not be read as equivalent to optical zoom quality. Apple describes a two-camera rear system, including optical-quality 2x telephoto on the Fusion Main and an ultra-wide camera.
Photos and video
Apple highlights its front camera’s Center Stage framing, up-to-18MP photos, 4K HDR front video, and Dual Capture. Nothing lists a 32MP wide-angle selfie camera with an 89-degree field of view. Megapixels and field-of-view figures describe aspects of the hardware, not how pleasing or reliable the resulting photos will be. The cited specifications do not include comparable camera samples or controlled image-quality tests.
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%.
What do the battery and durability claims establish?
The battery figures are not directly comparable: Apple publishes an estimated video-playback duration, while Nothing publishes battery capacity and a charging rate. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long a phone lasts between charges, and the cited material contains no matched endurance test. Apple’s up-to-50%-in-20-minutes claim requires an optional high-wattage USB-C adapter; it should not be treated as an included accessory.
The phones also carry different published protection claims. Apple cites IP68 water resistance and Ceramic Shield 2; Nothing advertises IP65, Gorilla Glass 7i, and a test at up to 25cm of water for up to 20 minutes. Ratings and stated test conditions are not guarantees against damage in every spill, submersion, drop, or other real-world incident.
Rank #4
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Which phone should you choose?
The iPhone 17 is the more natural fit if…
- You want iOS and value continuity with Apple devices and services you already use.
- You prefer the smaller 6.3-inch display.
- Apple’s stated camera and video features, including 4K HDR front video and Dual Capture, match how you use a phone.
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is the more natural fit if…
- You want the larger 6.83-inch screen and Nothing’s advertised 144Hz refresh rate.
- A periscope camera with 3.5x optical zoom is a priority.
- The currently displayed price for the 8GB/128GB U.S. configuration suits your budget, after you verify the live price and local variant.
The cited manufacturer material does not establish a quantitative performance winner, comparative battery life, superior real-world photo quality, or a software-support-duration advantage. Make those part of your decision only if you can verify them for the exact models and region you plan to buy.
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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%.
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.
