Between the iPhone 16e and Phone (3), the iPhone 16e comes out ahead in weight, while the Phone (3) wins on wired charging and front camera. Overall, the iPhone 16e scores 58.6 and the Phone (3) scores 68.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Phone (3) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.1 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the iPhone 16e if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.
Pick the Phone (3) if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are wired charging, front camera, refresh rate, among others.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, water resistance, pixel density, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Phone (3) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - iPhone 16e wins
- ▲Weight — 29.00 g less. 167 vs 196.
Why Nothing - Phone (3) wins
- ▲Wired charging — 225.00% more. 65 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Front camera — 166.67% more. 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲RAM — 50.00% more. 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 29.75% more. 2050000 vs 1580000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 28.59% more. 5150 mAh vs 4005 mAh.
- ▲Screen size — 9.84% more. 6.7 " vs 6.1 ".
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 glead | 196 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mmlead | 8.4 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.1 " | 6.7 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 60 Hz | 120 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 1200 nits | 4500 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 48 MP | 50 MPlead |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4005 mAh | 5150 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 20 W | 65 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 0 W | 15 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Apple - iPhone 16e | Nothing - Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOSlead | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, iPhone 16e or Phone (3)?+
Phone (3) has 28.6% more battery — 4005 mAh vs 5150 mAh.
Which is lighter, iPhone 16e or Phone (3)?+
iPhone 16e is 29g lighter — 167g vs 196g.
Is iPhone 16e waterproof?+
iPhone 16e has an IP68 rating.
Does Phone (3) support 5G?+
Yes, Phone (3) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, iPhone 16e or Phone (3)?+
Phone (3) offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, iPhone 16e or Phone (3)?+
Phone (3) has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.