Between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Phone (3a), the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes out ahead in antutu and pixel density, while the Phone (3a) wins on front camera and wired charging. Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro Max scores 63.2 and the Phone (3a) scores 62.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (63.2 vs 62.5). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the iPhone 15 Pro Max if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are antutu, pixel density, water resistance, among others.
Pick the Phone (3a) if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are front camera, wired charging, weight, among others.
Both ship with comparable ram, refresh rate, 5g support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max wins
- ▲AnTuTu — 86.59% more. 1530000 vs 820000.
- ▲Pixel density — 18.86% more. 460 ppi vs 387 ppi.
- ▲Water resistance: IP68 (vs IP64).
- ▲Promised OS updates: 5 (vs 3).
- ▲Wireless charging: 15 W vs 0 W.
Why Nothing - Phone (3a) wins
- ▲Front camera — 166.67% more. 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 85.19% more. 50 W vs 27 W.
- ▲Weight — 20.00 g less. 201 vs 221.
- ▲Battery capacity — 13.07% more. 5000 mAh vs 4422 mAh.
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
- ▲Screen size — 1.04% more. 6.77 " vs 6.7 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 221 g | 201 glead |
| Thickness | 8.25 mmlead | 8.4 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68lead | IP64 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 " | 6.77 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppilead | 387 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2000 nits | 3000 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 48 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4422 mAh | 5000 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 27 W | 50 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 Wlead | 0 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 15 Pro Max | Nothing - Phone (3a) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 yearslead | 3 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone 15 Pro Max or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) has 13.1% more battery — 4422 mAh vs 5000 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone 15 Pro Max or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) is 20g lighter — 221g vs 201g.
Is iPhone 15 Pro Max waterproof?+
iPhone 15 Pro Max has an IP68 rating.
Does Phone (3a) support 5G?+
Yes, Phone (3a) supports 5G.
Which has a better camera, iPhone 15 Pro Max or Phone (3a)?+
Phone (3a) has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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