Best iPhone Alternatives 2025: Get a Great Android Phone Instead

The iPhone 16 series is here, boasting upgrades, yet the year-over-year improvements may not feel groundbreaking. Naturally, you'll explore alternatives, and thankfully, many exist. Having tested smartphones for nearly a decade, I've witnessed compelling iPhone competitors, some even surpassing Apple in innovation—folding phones, for instance. My experience with iPhones allows me to appreciate their strengths while objectively identifying superior alternatives.

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

**TL;DR – Top iPhone Alternatives in 2025:**

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Explore superior camera systems, designs rivaling Apple's, unique form factors, budget-friendly options, and gaming-centric models. Instead of choosing an iPhone tier, select the features, build, performance, and price best suited to your needs. Whether you seek the ultimate non-iPhone phone or a device matching Apple's photographic prowess, you'll find a suitable alternative here.

Contributions by Georgie Peru and Rudie Obias

1. OnePlus 13 – Best All-Around iPhone Alternative

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Exceptional design, display, performance, and cameras combine in this discounted flagship.

Product Specifications:

• Screen: 6.82-inch OLED, 1440x3168, 510ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 50-Megapixel Ultrawide, 50-Megapixel Telephoto, 32-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 6,000mAh
• Weight: 210g (0.46lb)

Pros: Great value, Fast performance

Cons: Software support slightly shorter than rivals

The OnePlus 13 is a formidable iPhone competitor. Minor changes from its predecessor significantly enhance its capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Elite's eight-core CPU nearly matches the iPhone 16 Pro Max's single-core performance and surpasses it in multi-core tests. Graphically, the OnePlus 13 significantly outperforms the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 3DMark benchmarks. This translates to exceptional gaming and smooth daily operation. The elegant design, featuring flatter sides and rounded corners, is enhanced by a unique back design and large camera ring. OnePlus cases support Qi2/MagSafe charging, and the three-way alert slider is superior to the iPhone's toggle. Water and dust resistance further add to its appeal. The triple-sensor camera array (ultrawide, wide, and 3x telephoto, all 50MP) produces stunning photos and videos. The OnePlus 13 starts at $900, offering better value than comparable iPhones by including more memory and storage (256GB default vs. Apple's 128GB). Its 6.82-inch OLED display is sharp, bright, and smooth (1-120Hz variable refresh rate). The OnePlus 13 isn't just my top iPhone alternative; it's a top contender for best overall smartphone.

2. Google Pixel 9 Pro – Best Cameras

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Elegant design, exceptional cameras, quality display, and extensive software support make the Pixel 9 Pro a top contender.

Product Specifications:

• Screen: 6.3-inch OLED, 1280x2856, 495 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Tensor G4
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 48-Megapixel Ultrawide, 48-Megapixel Telephoto, 42-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 4,700mAh
• Weight: 199g (0.44lb)

Pros: Elegant and compact design, Excellent camera system, Long-term software support

Cons: Gaming performance lags behind, Base storage could be bigger

The Pixel 9 Pro showcases Google's photographic expertise. Its three-camera array provides exceptional flexibility. Unlike many phones with a single star performer, the Pixel 9 Pro's three powerful sensors work harmoniously. The 50MP main sensor captures detail and light, complemented by a 50MP ultrawide for broader shots and a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. This camera system rivals any iPhone. The Tensor G4 SoC improves speed and reduces heat compared to previous Pixels. Performance is sufficient for most tasks and handles games like Zenless Zone Zero at 60fps. While not matching the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip in raw power, its AI capabilities, including a natural conversational virtual assistant, are noteworthy. Seven years of OS updates and security patches mirror Apple's long-term software support. The sharp, bright 6.3-inch display (1280x2856, 3,000 nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate) is a highlight. A larger 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL is also available.

3. OnePlus 12R – Best Budget Alternative

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A large, vibrant display and powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip power this value-focused Android phone.

Product Specifications:

• Screen: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1264x2780, 450 ppi, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 8-Megapixel Ultrawide, 2-Megapixel Macro, 16-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 5,500mAh
• Weight: 207g (0.46lb)

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 a compelling alternative to iPhones, especially considering the discontinued iPhone SE. Its aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provide durability. The 6.78-inch AMOLED display (1264x2780, 1-120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision) is impressive. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and 8GB of RAM deliver smooth performance, readily handling demanding games. 128GB of base storage is included. While not matching Apple's long-term support, it offers three major Android updates and four years of security patches. For a sleek phone with a high-quality display at a budget-friendly price, the OnePlus 12R is an excellent choice.

4. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Best Foldable Alternative

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a powerful smartphone, regardless of its size.

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 stands out with its foldable design. Its flat-edged aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offer durability. The 3.4-inch AMOLED cover display provides quick access to notifications and apps, while the 6.6-inch internal display offers a larger viewing area. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and 12GB of RAM provide powerful performance. While not featuring Samsung's top cameras, it offers quality wide and ultrawide sensors. The external display serves as a convenient selfie viewfinder. The Z Flip 6 is a compelling alternative to iPhones, offering a unique folding design.

5. RedMagic 10 Pro – Best Gaming Alternative

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The RedMagic 10 Pro delivers extreme game performance, a slick design, and long battery life at a surprising value.

Product Specifications:

• Screen: 6.85-inch OLED, 1216x2688, 431 ppi, 144Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
• Camera: 50-Megapixel Wide, 50-Megapixel Ultrawide, 2-Megapixel Macro, 16-Megapixel Selfie
• Battery: 7,050mAh
• Weight: 229g (0.5lb)

Pros: Excellent gaming performance, Great display

Cons: Underwhelming cameras, Shorter software support

The RedMagic 10 Pro is a surprisingly affordable gaming powerhouse ($649). Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip delivers exceptional performance, nearly matching the iPhone 16 Pro Max in single-core tests and surpassing it in multi-core benchmarks. The GPU significantly outperforms the iPhone. Active cooling ensures sustained high performance during extended gaming sessions. The 7,050mAh battery is a major advantage. The 6.85-inch display (with under-display selfie camera) is stunning. While its Android skin is somewhat over-the-top and software support is shorter than some competitors, the RedMagic 10 Pro offers unmatched performance for gamers.

What to Look for in an iPhone Alternative in 2025

Android's open platform offers customization options unavailable on iOS. The Google Play Store offers a wider selection of apps, and alternative app stores exist. Android phones come in various sizes (from 4 to 7 inches) and designs, including foldable models. Android phones often start with 128GB of storage, with many offering microSD expansion. Android phones generally offer more features and storage for less money compared to iPhones.

How Often Should You Upgrade Your Phone?

While new Android phones launch annually, upgrading every 2-3 years is generally sufficient to maintain optimal processing power and battery life. If your current phone meets your needs, there's no rush to upgrade.