Home News Best iPhone Alternatives 2025: Get a Great Android Phone Instead

Best iPhone Alternatives 2025: Get a Great Android Phone Instead

Author : Daniel Update : Mar 17,2025

The iPhone 16 series is here, boasting upgrades, yet the year-over-year changes may not feel groundbreaking. Naturally, exploring alternatives is tempting, and thankfully, many exist. Having tested smartphones for a decade, I've witnessed compelling iPhone competitors, some even pioneering features before Apple—folding phones, for instance. My experience with iPhones allows me to appreciate their strengths while objectively evaluating alternatives.

For many, an iPhone isn't the most practical choice. Even the entry-level iPhone 16e, marketed as budget-friendly, starts at $599, with other models significantly more expensive. Fortunately, many iPhone qualities, excluding iOS and Apple's chipsets, are readily available in Android alternatives.

Top iPhone Alternatives in 2025

Explore superior camera systems, designs rivaling Apple's, unique form factors, budget-friendly options, and gaming-focused models. Instead of choosing an iPhone tier, select the perfect blend of features, build, performance, and price.

Contributions by Georgie Peru and Rudie Obias

iOS or Android? iOS

iOS! I love my iPhoneAndroid! I love the customization of Google's OS

1. OnePlus 13: Best All-Around iPhone Alternative

OnePlus 13

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Product Specifications: Screen: 6.82-inch OLED, 1440x3168, 510ppi, 120Hz; Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite; Camera: 50MP Wide, 50MP Ultrawide, 50MP Telephoto, 32MP Selfie; Battery: 6,000mAh; Weight: 210g

Pros: Great value, Fast performance; Cons: Software support shorter than rivals.

The OnePlus 13 is a formidable iPhone competitor. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor rivals the iPhone 16 Pro Max's performance, excelling in multi-core tasks. Its elegant design, featuring a flatter frame and rounded corners, includes a three-way alert slider and water resistance. The triple 50MP camera system delivers exceptional photos and videos. Starting at $900, it offers excellent value, especially considering its superior storage and display compared to similarly priced iPhones.

2. Google Pixel 9 Pro: Best Cameras

Google Pixel 9 Pro

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Product Specifications: Screen: 6.3-inch OLED, 1280x2856, 495 ppi, 120Hz; Processor: Tensor G4; Camera: 50MP Wide, 48MP Ultrawide, 48MP Telephoto, 42MP Selfie; Battery: 4,700mAh; Weight: 199g

Pros: Elegant design, Excellent camera system, Long-term software support; Cons: Gaming performance lags, Base storage could be bigger.

The Pixel 9 Pro's strength lies in its exceptional camera system. Three powerful sensors work harmoniously, capturing stunning photos and videos. The Tensor G4 processor, while not matching the A18 Pro in raw power, excels in AI capabilities, powering features like a natural-sounding virtual assistant. Seven years of OS updates and security patches provide long-term support.

3. OnePlus 12R: Best Budget Alternative

OnePlus 12R

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Product Specifications: Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1264x2780, 450 ppi, 120Hz; Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2; Camera: 50MP Wide, 8MP Ultrawide, 2MP Macro, 16MP Selfie; Battery: 5,500mAh; Weight: 207g

Pros: Large, vibrant display, Strong battery life, Good main camera; Cons: No wireless charging, Only IP64 water and dust resistance.

At $499, the OnePlus 12R offers flagship features at a budget price. Its large, sharp AMOLED display, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, delivers smooth performance. While lacking wireless charging and top-tier water resistance, it provides excellent value with its three major Android updates and four years of security updates.

4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: Best Foldable Alternative

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

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Product Specifications: Display: 6.7-inch 2650 x 1080 AMOLED (inner); 3.4-inch 720 x 748 AMOLED (cover screen); CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3; RAM: 12GB; Storage: 256GB – 512GB; Rear camera: 50MP + 12MP; Front camera: 10MP; OS: Android 14

Pros: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is extremely powerful, Gorgeous displays; Cons: Foldable design is a little less durable than a traditional phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers a unique foldable design, combining a compact form factor with a large internal display. Its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor ensures smooth performance, and its dual AMOLED displays provide a versatile user experience. While the camera system isn't Samsung's top-tier offering, it still captures quality photos.

5. RedMagic 10 Pro: Best Gaming Alternative

RedMagic 10 Pro

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Product Specifications: Screen: 6.85-inch OLED, 1216x2688, 431 ppi, 144Hz; Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite; Camera: 50MP Wide, 50MP Ultrawide, 2MP Macro, 16MP Selfie; Battery: 7,050mAh; Weight: 229g

Pros: Excellent gaming performance, Great display; Cons: Underwhelming cameras, Shorter software support.

The RedMagic 10 Pro prioritizes gaming performance, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and active cooling for sustained high frame rates. Its large, high-refresh-rate display and massive battery make it ideal for extended gaming sessions. While its camera system isn't its strongest point, its overall gaming capabilities are unmatched at its price point.

What to Look for in an iPhone Alternative

While iPhones dominate popularity, Android's open platform offers customization options unavailable on iOS. Android boasts a larger app selection and alternative app stores.

Phone Size and Design

Android phones offer diverse sizes and form factors, including foldable options like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, providing choices beyond Apple's standard sizes.

Storage Capacity

Many Android phones offer 128GB of storage or more, often with microSD expansion for additional capacity.

Price

Android phones span a wider price range, offering both budget-friendly and high-end options, often providing more features for less money compared to iPhones.

The OnePlus 13 and Google Pixel 9 Pro stand out as top choices. OnePlus provides excellent value and performance, while Google excels in camera quality.

How Often Should You Upgrade Your Phone?

How often are you upgrading to a new phone?

Every yearEvery 2-3 yearsEvery 5 yearsOnly when my old phone stops working

While new phones release annually, upgrading every 2-3 years generally suffices to maintain optimal performance and battery life. If your current phone meets your needs, there's no rush to upgrade.