Apple iPhone 17 Air vs Nothing Phone (3)
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Air463 PPI #12
Nothing Phone (3)460 PPI #14
368 PPI521 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Air3000 nits #8
Nothing Phone (3)4500 nits #1
2000 nits4500 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut28in category
Apple iPhone 17 Air100% #1
Nothing Phone (3)100% #1
100%100%
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Air120 Hz
Nothing Phone (3)120 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: identical — Both screens are retina at 30cm. With nearly identical pixel density (463 vs 460 PPI), there is no visible difference in sharpness.
- Brightness: advantage Apple iPhone 17 Air — The Apple iPhone 17 Air is 32% brighter in SDR (1000 vs 756 nits), a noticeable difference for outdoor readability. HDR peak: 3000 vs 4500 nits.
Key Differences
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Air | Nothing Phone (3) |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 463 | 460 |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits | 756 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:2,000,000 | 1:1,000,000 |
| Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.67" |
| Resolution | 1260×2736 | 1260×2800 |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 3000 nits | 4500 nits |
All specifications
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Air 2025 | Nothing Phone (3) 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.67" (Better) |
| Resolution | 1260×2736 | 1260×2800 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 463 (Better) | 460 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm | 19cm |
| Panel Type | OLED | AMOLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 35:76 | 9:20 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 1 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 1000 nits (Better) | 756 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 3000 nits | 4500 nits (Better) |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:2,000,000 (Better) | 1:1,000,000 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% |
| Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Apple iPhone 17 Air or Nothing Phone (3)?
The Apple iPhone 17 Air has 463 PPI compared to 460 PPI for the Nothing Phone (3).
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
Both require 19cm for retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPhone 17 Air 2025 · 463 PPI · 6.5" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Nothing Phone (3) 2025 · 460 PPI · 6.67" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Apple iPhone 17 Air 2025 · 463 PPI · 6.5" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Nothing Phone (3) 2025 · 460 PPI · 6.67" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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