Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is taller and thicker but narrower; may impact one-handed use and pocket fit. |
| Weight | 226g | 190g | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a slightly larger viewing area for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2412 | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a sharper, more detailed display, better for reading text and viewing high-resolution images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 395 | iPhone 11 Pro Max has significantly sharper text and image detail. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color; negligible real-world difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing overall fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Apple A13 Bionic is older but shows slightly better performance; for daily use, the difference might not be noticeable |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 805,721 | iPhone 11 Pro Max is slightly faster in benchmarks; real-world difference might be minor for most tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G610 MC4 | Both provide good graphics performance for most games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has higher resolution and a larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP (f/2.0) | Not Available | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers optical zoom capabilities for detailed photos at a distance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (f/2.4) | Not Available | iPhone 11 Pro Max allows for capturing wider scenes without moving further. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus captures wide shots and close-up details. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has higher resolution for detailed selfies. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers higher frame rates at 4K for smoother video; Nothing offers EIS. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 122 (Photo: 126, Video: 124) | Not Available | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a proven track record in image quality. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 122 (Photo: 115, Video: 134) | Not Available | iPhone 11 Pro Max has a proven track record in selfie quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely provides much longer battery life due to a significantly larger capacity. |
| Charging | 18W Fast | 50W Fast | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless Reverse Charging | No Charger Included | iPhone 11 Pro Max can wirelessly charge other devices; Nothing lacks charger in box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (Upgradable to 18) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 17) | Different user interfaces; iOS is known for simplicity, while Android is more customizable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer fast and reliable wireless internet. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer version with potentially improved efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers greater accuracy and better location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 11 Pro Max supports eSIM, allowing for multiple lines on one device. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512GB | 256 GB | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers more storage; Nothing has a fixed 256GB. |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers the option for expanded storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic | Hi-Res Audio, 3 mics | Both offer quality audio; iPhone has Dolby Atmos; Nothing has hi-res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better screen protection from scratches and falls. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nothing offers fingerprint sensor; iPhone offers a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a more detailed and visually appealing display.
- Telephoto and Wide-Angle Cameras: Offers versatile camera setup with dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses for various shooting scenarios.
- Wireless Reverse Charging: Can wirelessly charge other devices, a convenient feature for users with compatible accessories.
- Established Camera Quality: Has a tested and proven camera performance with excellent scores, especially in video.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM compatibility for easier switching between networks and plans, and supports two physical SIM cards
- Marginally Better Performance slightly higher Antutu score indicates a minor performance advantage
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother user experience.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Significantly larger battery capacity coupled with faster charging ensures longer battery life and quicker top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Main & Selfie Camera: Higher megapixel count on main and front cameras potentially provides better detail in images, and has a wide + macro lens for different use cases.
- Newer Bluetooth and GPS: Offers better audio codec support, location tracking and improved performance in these areas.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM allows for smoother multitasking and handling of demanding applications.
- Lighter and Thinner: More portable and comfortable for extended usage.
- Fingerprint Scanner: Provides basic biometric security for unlocking.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers more resistance against damage
Significant Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 11 Pro Max is older. It offers a sharper screen and a versatile triple camera system with optical zoom, but its battery life and charging speeds cannot compete with the newer Nothing phone.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes a smoother display, better battery life and faster charging with a very good camera. However, it lacks the telephoto and wide angle lens of the iPhone and the tested camera performance of the iPhone.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max is ideal for:
- Users who value display quality: Users who prioritize high-resolution, detailed screens for content consumption and detailed images.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who require optical zoom capabilities and a versatile camera system.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem who prefer the iOS experience.
- Users looking for a premium feel The build quality of the phone is impressive.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Professional photographers seeking a reliable phone camera system.
- Users who frequently watch high-resolution content (4K video).
- Those already invested in the Apple ecosystem and services.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need a device that can last through a full day of heavy use without needing frequent charging.
- Users who value smooth performance: Those who appreciate a fluid user experience with high refresh rate screens.
- Multitaskers: Users who frequently switch between apps and need ample RAM.
- Value-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a feature-rich device at a more accessible price point.
Specific Use Cases for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Heavy smartphone users who rely on their phone for work and entertainment.
- Gamers who prefer a smoother, more responsive gaming experience.
- Users who dislike needing to charge their phone multiple times a day.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is camera versatility? (Telephoto and wide-angle lenses vs. higher resolution main sensor)
- Do you value battery life and fast charging above all else? (Significantly longer battery life and faster charging vs. wireless reverse charging.)
- Which user interface and ecosystem do you prefer? (iOS ecosystem vs. Android customization)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast - If you prioritize camera quality with zoom capability, choose Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- Scenario 2: Power User - If you need long-lasting battery and a smooth, responsive experience, choose Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Buyer - If you're looking for a great value and modern features, choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- Scenario 4: Apple User - If you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem and want to remain there, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Here's why:
While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a sharper display and a versatile camera system, the advantages of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus are more compelling for my needs and preferences. I prioritize battery life and charging speed. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a much larger battery, along with faster charging, meaning I would not need to worry about my battery dying during a day. I also prefer the smooth 120Hz display, and the 12GB of RAM ensures that my phone runs smoothly and I can use multiple apps at once without any lags. While I would prefer to have a telephoto lens, the higher resolution main and selfie cameras with the wide and macro lens provides a very good alternative for most situations. I also prefer the Android ecosystem. The fact it is also the newer and more affordable device makes it my preferred option, even with the lack of wireless charging.
