To say the Apple iPhone 17 has stolen headlines could be understating it slightly. The launch of a brand new iPhone is all the time a large occasion, and it dominates the trade for weeks on both aspect.
This may be argued as enterprise as regular for Apple, however in complete equity, the iPhone 17 deserves all of the press it is getting.
Apple has lastly shored up one of many iPhone’s conventional weaknesses with the addition of a 120Hz refresh price on the fundamental mannequin, and it comes with an improved dual-lens digital camera, an All the time-on show, and the lightning-fast A19 processor.
However the iPhone 17 is way from the one nice selection on your subsequent smartphone, which is good news for us as an Android-focused web site.
If you happen to do not fancy enjoying in Apple’s walled backyard, there are a selection of unbelievable gadgets you can choose up that may compete with, and even exceed, the brand new iPhone in just a few areas.
Listed here are the six telephones you can purchase as a substitute of the iPhone 17 — together with a wildcard that is price ready for.
Pixel 10
The perfect different for a direct Apple comparability
From one Apple-like to a different. Google won’t have Samsung’s dominance in gross sales, however it dominates Android differently.
In the identical method that the iPhone advantages from Apple’s steering of iOS, the Pixel line will get lots from the truth that Google shepherds the Android working system.
So if you happen to love the way in which Apple will get updates and new options to its iPhones scorching off the presses, then it is price trying on the Google Pixel 10 as a stable Android different.
We’ll begin with the areas the place the Pixel loses out.
The Google-built Tensor G5 processor shouldn’t be a match for the Apple A19. The Tensor G5 is offered as a flagship chip, however it’s geared in the direction of AI and making certain a clean expertise throughout day-to-day duties.
Throw some extra demanding video games at it, and it will battle greater than the iPhone will. If you happen to’re a eager gamer who desires lovely graphics and smooth efficiency, the Pixel 10 could also be a letdown.
However a Pixel isn’t a letdown within the digital camera division. The Pixel 10 has a lens benefit over the iPhone, and this telephoto lens has a 5x optical zoom, placing it considerably past the iPhone’s cropping magic that simulates a 2x zoom.
Right here, we have now a state of affairs the place each telephones are equally robust, and it is onerous to choose a winner between them.
Taking a look at AI, although, the Pixel has a superb benefit right here. Google’s method to AI has shifted into being much less about standalone options and right into a background course of that gives assist at (hopefully) opportune moments.
Magic Cue is the brand new Pixel’s headline function, and relatively than being a function you go to (and ultimately overlook about), it really works behind the scenes, providing assist when it could actually.
On the telephone to a resort? Magic Cue checks your emails and messages when you discuss, and presents any reservation info it finds.
It is an effective way of utilizing AI’s strengths, and simply among the best implementations on a tool. Apple Intelligence merely cannot examine but.
At $799, the Pixel 10 is identical value because the iPhone 17. Sure, the processor is underpowered, and the beginning storage of 128GB is anemic, however even with that in thoughts, the Pixel 10 is a robust contender for the iPhone 17.
Google has crammed some glorious use of AI and an incredible digital camera right into a great-looking package deal, and with its speedy and plentiful updates, the Pixel 10 is the telephone to purchase if you happen to actually like what Apple does with its ecosystem, however choose an Android telephone.
9/10
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
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Actua show
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6.3 inches
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20:9
Samsung Galaxy S25
The perfect different if you happen to love a Samsung telephone
In some ways, Samsung is the Apple of Android, and that displays in its market dominance. As such, it is sensible that we would choose the fundamental Samsung Galaxy S25 as an alternative choice to the fundamental iPhone 17.
There are a number of similarities between the 2 gadgets. Each have equally sized shows, with 120Hz refresh charges and crisp resolutions. Each even have OLED panels with always-on shows, new to this 12 months’s iPhone, however to not the Galaxy S25.
You may additionally get top-tier flagship processors whatever the telephone you choose, and whereas one is more likely to be the extra highly effective of the 2, it is not going to make an actual distinction exterior of benchmark exams.
Relaxation assured, both one will blast by video games with ease and swap between a number of apps with out hitches.
It is price relating the affect of AI on these gadgets, by Apple Intelligence and Galaxy AI. You may discover comparable picture enhancing instruments powered by AI right here, in addition to instruments that’ll rewrite statements for you.
Truthfully, neither of them have utilized AI in a method that’ll blow you away — however that is pretty regular for the time being.
Everybody loves a stable snapper, so it is sensible that digital camera high quality is an enormous promoting level of those telephones.
Right away, you may discover an enormous distinction between these two telephones: The Galaxy S25 has an additional digital camera lens. That additional lens is a devoted telephoto lens, giving the Galaxy S25 some additional utility that the iPhone 17 simply does not have.
And that is true, although it is not the entire story. As an alternative of increasing to a 3rd lens, Apple has chosen to verify the 2 lenses the iPhone 17 has are tuned extraordinarily effectively, so the primary 48MP lens can successfully be used as a 12MP 2x optical zoom by cropping.
It isn’t as shut because the S25’s 3x optical zoom, however it’s fairly shut.
The iPhone’s ultrawide lens additionally has considerably extra pixels than the S25’s ultrawide lens, and whereas that does not all the time assure extra high quality, Apple’s polish is all the time evident.
This does not imply the iPhone 17 is all the time going to be a greater digital camera than the S25 however it’s price protecting in thoughts that having an additional digital camera lens does not routinely make the S25 higher. Each have robust cameras, although, they usually’re unlikely to disappoint both method.
The working system is the largest distinction, although.
Samsung’s OneUI is a model of Android, however with a number of additional customization choices and some further options, just like the desktop computer-emulating Dex Mode.
Samsung positively has extra choices than Apple on this regard, although it is questionable whether or not you’d use all of them that a lot or not.
These two telephones share lots, they usually’re fairly comparable in value too. At $860, the Galaxy S25 is a bit more costly than the iPhone 17, however you get lots on your cash.
If you happen to love a Samsung telephone, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is the iPhone 17 different you have to be taking a look at.
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
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LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz
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6.2″
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2340 x 1080
Pixel 9a
The perfect different if you wish to get monetary savings
Whereas flagship telephones have gone above and past by a big margin, it is truthful to argue that $799 is lots for a smartphone.
If you wish to save a bit of cash, there are many Android telephones that work simply in addition to Apple’s newest flagship iPhone. Of these, Google’s Pixel 9a is without doubt one of the strongest choices.
As a extra inexpensive possibility, bear in mind that the Pixel 9a can be weaker than a number of the different choices on this checklist. Certainly, will probably be weaker in some ways than the iPhone 17 — however do not let that lead you to imagine it is a unhealthy telephone.
We’ll cowl the drawbacks rapidly, as you are doubtless curious.
The design abandons these parts we have cherished in different current Pixels, together with the digital camera bar. In consequence, it is a bit boring and uninspiring to take a look at.
The plastic construct is equally unlucky, as is the selection to maintain a comparatively sluggish 23W charging price. The Pixel 9a seems to be and appears like a extra inexpensive telephone, and that is unlucky.
It is simple to repair a few of these points with a case, however we might relatively we did not should.
Fortunately, the remainder of the telephone is sweet.
Google’s Tensor G4 processor, under-powered as a flagship chip, feels extra at dwelling in a mid-range configuration, and the 120Hz P-OLED panel is attractive too.
The battery could be very effectively tuned, lasting a day simply, and the twin digital camera system is stronger than the telephone’s value suggests.
It does not embrace Magic Cue, as that is a Pixel 10 unique for now, however you do get Circle to Search, Magic Editor, and AI-generated wallpapers, so there’s lots to take pleasure in if you happen to like AI in your telephone.
At $499, the Pixel 9a is $300 lower than the iPhone 17, which is a big chunk of change.
Sure, you get much less energy than the iPhone, and fewer storage, and a way more boring design, however that is nonetheless a really succesful telephone, and a robust selection if you would like an incredible iPhone 17 different at a cheaper price.
9/10
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Google Tensor G4
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pOLED, 120Hz
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6.3 inches
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
The perfect different to point out what the iPhone cannot do
This one’s only a flex — actually.
Apple has caught to a inflexible slab-style for its smartphones, however the remainder of the world has moved on, and folding smartphones have gotten, if not commonplace, then not less than much less uncommon.
Of all of the book-fold folding telephones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be the perfect, and the one to purchase if you wish to exhibit what the iPhone 17 cannot do.
Typically, the Z Fold 7 has a number of what we cherished concerning the Galaxy S25. That features robust specs and {hardware}, attractive AMOLED tech, and a robust suite of cameras. However let’s be actual, you do not wish to hear about that — you wish to know concerning the screens.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has two screens: An outer “cowl” display measuring 6.5 inches, which features as a more-or-less “regular” smartphone display. Then, inside, there is a huge 8-inch panel that is extra akin to a pill than a telephone.
Unfolding the telephone takes no matter you had been doing on the duvet display and plonks it onto the inside show, and you’ll shift right into a multi-app mode right here if you happen to like, or simply take pleasure in your app on a a lot bigger display.
If you have not used a folding telephone earlier than, the expertise is extra pure than you’d count on, and it by no means feels jarring to go from one display to a different. You may ultimately overlook it is odd in any respect, and be barely puzzled when individuals round you present curiosity within the folding display.
An enormous a part of this 12 months’s redesign was making the Z Fold 7 a bit wider than earlier than, which makes the duvet display really feel lots much less cramped than earlier variations.
It is also lots thinner than earlier variations, with the folding Z Fold 7 solely being a tad thicker than the iPhone 17 itself. You owe it to your self to attempt it out, even if you happen to do not find yourself shopping for one.
This telephone is one you’ll actually profit from studying a full evaluate for as a result of a foldable telephone is an enormous change, if you have not already used one — but in addition as a result of it is a large funding.
The Z Fold 7 begins at an eye-watering $2,000, effectively over twice what you’d pay for an iPhone 17. However actually, that is the longer term, and if you happen to’re keen to pay the {dollars} for it, the Z Fold 7 is a real triumph of recent telephone engineering.
8.5/10
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Snapdragon 8 Elite
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Dynamic AMOLED
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6.5-inch exterior, 8-inch inner
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12GB or 16GB
Motorola Razr 2025
The perfect different if you would like the longer term (however cheaper)
There are cheaper methods to expertise the longer term, and the Motorola Razr is a kind of.
If you need one thing a bit particular, and a kind issue that the iPhone cannot match, but in addition do not wish to drop monumental quantities of cash on a single system, then the Motorola Razr 2025 is price being attentive to.
The Motorola Razr 2025 is our favourite model of the “different” kind of foldable telephone, with the “clamshell” fold.
If you happen to’re conversant in the unique breed of folding telephones from the early to mid-noughties, you then’ll acknowledge what we have now right here.
It is primarily a completely sized telephone that may fold down right into a a lot smaller package deal, full with an outer cowl display. It is the foldable kind to search for if you happen to prize having a telephone that may match into small pockets and areas.
The inside display works precisely as you’d count on, however it’s the outer display that is an actual shock. Solely 3.6 inches in measurement, it however works like a traditional show. Load up apps as you usually would, they usually’ll work right here.
Certain, you are not more likely to spend a lot of time on this view, as it’s fairly small, however it’s good for coping with fast responses and notifications, and completely enough.
It is precisely how a canopy display ought to work, and we adore it.
Snapping a telephone closed is addictive, however it’s not the one motive to purchase this telephone.
The efficiency is stable, even when the {hardware} is not essentially as much as present flagship requirements. The identical will be stated for the cameras, that are dependable.
The software program is not nice, although, having been loaded with bloatware, and it solely will get three years of software program updates. That is very disappointing when the usual is now trending to seven years.
However these are comparatively small complaints within the grand scheme. The Motorola Razr 2025 is an underrated gem of a telephone, and might be the one you have to be taking a look at for a style of the longer term for simply $700.
9/10
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MediaTek Dimensity 7400X
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AMOLED, pOLED
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6.9″ fundamental, 3.6″ exterior
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FHD+
And one to attend for
OnePlus 15
A OnePlus telephone has all the time been a simple suggestion in an article like this. Why? OnePlus’s ethos is delivering top-notch efficiency for a cheaper price than you would possibly count on, and that is all the time meant it is price being attentive to.
The OnePlus 15 has not but been introduced, however if you happen to’re searching for a stable different to the iPhone 17, then it is positively a telephone price ready for.
We have now little apart from leaks and rumors to go on for the second, however the leaks appear to point that change is on the way in which for the most recent OnePlus flagship.
The long-running partnership with digital camera firm Hasselblad is coming to an finish, and that may imply large adjustments for the OnePlus 15’s digital camera. However we’d additionally see an even sooner refresh price, and a radical new design.
All of that is simply rumor till the telephone is lastly introduced. However what stays sure is that the OnePlus 15 can be a robust smartphone, with exceptionally quick efficiency, a stable digital camera, and a robust battery life.
It is price ready till we all know extra on the launch in mid-October.