Top 5 Android smartphones better than the iPhone
They say the new iPhones could easily break the mind-blowing sales records posted by their forerunners, both for the first week-end of pre-orders and as far as total shipment numbers go, though of course that latter tally is much harder to forecast.
At A Glance: iPhone Alternatives
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Our Top Pick
- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Motorola Edge+
| Product | Brand | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SAMSUNG | SAMSUNG Galaxy S23 Ultra | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Google Pixel 7 Pro | Check Price on Amazon | |
 | Motorola | Motorola Edge+ | Check Price on Amazon |
 | OnePlus | OnePlus 11 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Sony | Sony Xperia 5 | Check Price on Amazon |
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And why shouldn’t they? Because they look identical to last year’s models? Pfft, Apple could have repackaged the original iPhone, and their clueless iFans would still be swept away by the “higher-res-than-ever” display.
Any other reasons you can think of possibly blocking the iPhone ascent to 200 million unit sales? Well, here’s a very obvious one. The two aren’t the best of the best in stores this year. Not even close, as we had relatively little difficulty selecting ten, count’ em, five Androids that are just better, and you can either already buy, or that should roll out before the holidays.
Note: all prices mentioned in sections below are MSRP, actual prices may vary.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro Max are two of the most advanced flagship smartphones available today. Both offer top-tier performance, excellent build quality, and fantastic cameras. However, there are some key differences between the two that are worth examining.
Display
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a larger 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display compared to the 6.7-inch display on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Samsung’s screen has a higher 1440p resolution and can reach a faster 120Hz refresh rate versus the iPhone’s 1080p resolution and 120Hz max refresh rate. The extra screen real estate and resolution give the S23 Ultra an advantage for people who want maximum screen space for watching videos, gaming, or multitasking.
Design
In terms of design, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a more premium polished stainless steel frame compared to the aluminum frame on the S23 Ultra. However, the S23 Ultra is lighter at 234g versus 240g for the iPhone. Both phones have glass front and back panels and are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S23 Ultra also includes an S Pen stylus integrated into the body, which the iPhone lacks.
Performance
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max runs Apple’s A16 Bionic chip. Both deliver cutting edge performance and can handle demanding apps and games with ease. In benchmarks, they offer comparable processing power but the iPhone 14 Pro Max pulls ahead slightly in graphics performance. Real world speed should feel fast on both handsets.
Camera
For cameras, the Galaxy S23 Ultra provides a 200MP main sensor, 10MP periscope telephoto with 10x optical zoom, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and 12MP ultrawide camera. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 48MP main camera, 12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, 12MP ultrawide, and depth sensor. The S23 Ultra offers a wider range of focal lengths and its massive 200MP sensor enables more detailed photos. But the iPhone 14 Pro Max is better for video recording with advanced features like ProRes and Cinematic mode.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy S23 Ultra packs a huge 5,000 mAh battery which lasted over 13 hours in our battery test. It supports fast 45W wired charging. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has much smaller 4,323 mAh capacity but still provides all day battery life of over 11 hours in testing. It charges at up to 27W with a Lightning cable. So the S23 Ultra has a clear advantage for long battery life.
Software
For software, it’s a matter of your preference between Android and iOS. The Galaxy S23 Ultra ships with the latest Android 13 and One UI 5.1. The iPhone 14 Pro Max runs iOS 16. Both platforms offer excellent app support and smooth performance. iOS offers longer software update support while Android provides more customization options.
Price
The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $1,199, making it $200 more expensive than the $999 iPhone 14 Pro Max base model. However, the S23 Ultra offers double the storage at 256GB in its entry level config. Overall the S23 Ultra wins on display, zoom camera capabilities, battery life and charging speed but costs more. The iPhone 14 Pro Max still leads for video recording, optimization and software support. Pick the phone aligned with your priorities.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Display
The Google Pixel 7 Pro has a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO OLED display compared to the 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 14 Pro. Google’s screen has a higher 1440p resolution and can reach a faster 120Hz refresh rate versus the iPhone’s 1080p resolution and 120Hz max refresh rate. The extra screen real estate and resolution give the Pixel 7 Pro an advantage for people who want maximum screen space for watching videos, gaming, or multitasking.
Design
In terms of design, the iPhone 14 Pro has a more premium polished stainless steel frame compared to the aluminum frame on the Pixel 7 Pro. However, the Pixel 7 Pro is lighter at 212g versus 206g for the iPhone. Both phones have glass front and back panels and are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance.
Performance
The Pixel 7 Pro is powered by the Google Tensor G2 chip, while the iPhone 14 Pro runs Apple’s latest A16 Bionic chip. Both deliver cutting edge performance and can handle demanding apps and games with ease. In benchmarks, the A16 Bionic pulls ahead slightly but in real world use, speed should feel fast on both handsets.
Camera
For cameras, the Pixel 7 Pro provides a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide camera, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. The iPhone 14 Pro has a 48MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and depth sensor. The Pixel 7 Pro offers a wider 5x zoom range but the iPhone 14 Pro is better for video recording with advanced features like ProRes and Cinematic mode.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 7 Pro packs a 5,000 mAh battery and supports fast 30W wired charging. The iPhone 14 Pro has a much smaller 3,200 mAh capacity but still provides all day battery life. It charges faster at up to 27W with a Lightning cable. So the Pixel 7 Pro has an advantage for battery capacity and charging speed.
Software
It’s a matter of preference between Android 13 and iOS 16. Pixel 7 Pro offers more customization while the iPhone 14 Pro provides longer software support. Both offer excellent app ecosystems and smooth performance.
Price
The Pixel 7 Pro starts at $899, making it $100 cheaper than the $999 iPhone 14 Pro base model. The Pixel 7 Pro wins on display, battery, and zoom camera but the iPhone 14 Pro leads for optimization, video recording, and software support. Overall both are excellent flagship choices.
Motorola Edge+ (2023)
Display
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) has a 6.7-inch pOLED display with FHD+ resolution, while the iPhone 14 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display also with FHD+ resolution. Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Edge+ has a faster 144Hz refresh rate versus 120Hz on the iPhone for smoother scrolling and animations.
Design
The iPhone 14 Pro has a more premium design with a stainless steel frame versus aluminum on the Edge+. Both phones have glass front and back. The Edge+ is IP52 water resistant while the iPhone 14 Pro has better IP68 rating. At 200g, the iPhone is also lighter than the Edge+ at 196g.
Performance
The Motorola Edge+ is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip while the iPhone 14 Pro runs Apple’s latest A16 Bionic processor. Both deliver blazing fast performance and can handle demanding apps and games easily. The A16 Bionic benchmarks slightly higher but real world speed is excellent on both.
Camera
The Edge+ has a 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide and 12MP telephoto camera. The iPhone 14 Pro offers a 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. Both can shoot great photos and video. The iPhone excels at video with ProRes support and advanced features like Cinematic mode.
Battery Life
With its 5000mAh battery, the Motorola Edge+ lasts over 2 days per charge. It also charges insanely fast at 68W wired. The iPhone 14 Pro has much lower battery capacity at 3200mAh but still provides all day life. It charges faster at 27W wired.
Software
It’s Android 13 vs iOS 16. iOS offers longer software support and is more optimized. Android provides greater customization and flexibility. Both offer smooth performance and great apps.
Price
The Motorola Edge+ costs $999, making it much cheaper than the $1099 iPhone 14 Pro. The Edge+ wins on battery life, charging speed and value. But the iPhone has more premium design, better video recording and longer software support.
OnePlus 11
Display
The OnePlus 11 has a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 1440 x 3216 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 14 Pro has a smaller 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 1179 x 2556 resolution and also a 120Hz refresh rate. The OnePlus 11 offers a larger screen with a higher resolution, providing an advantage for those who want more screen space for watching videos, gaming, or multitasking.
Design
Both the OnePlus 11 and iPhone 14 Pro have premium designs with glass front and back panels. The iPhone 14 Pro features a stainless steel frame, while the OnePlus 11 has an aluminum frame. Both devices have a modern design, but the iPhone 14 Pro may feel more premium due to its stainless steel construction.
Performance
The OnePlus 11 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, while the iPhone 14 Pro runs on Apple’s A16 Bionic chip. Both devices offer top-tier performance and can handle demanding apps and games with ease. In benchmarks, the iPhone 14 Pro may have a slight edge, but real-world performance should be fast on both handsets.
Camera
The OnePlus 11 features a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP portrait telephoto lens. The iPhone 14 Pro has a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Both devices can capture high-quality photos and videos, but the iPhone 14 Pro may have an advantage in video recording with features like ProRes support and Cinematic mode.
Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus 11 has a 5000mAh battery and supports fast 100W wired charging. The iPhone 14 Pro has a smaller 3200mAh battery but still provides all-day battery life. It charges at up to 27W with a Lightning cable. The OnePlus 11 has an advantage in battery capacity and charging speed.
Software
The OnePlus 11 runs on Android 13, while the iPhone 14 Pro runs on iOS 16. Both operating systems offer smooth performance and extensive app support. The choice between Android and iOS comes down to personal preference and ecosystem compatibility.
Price
The OnePlus 11 starts at $699, making it more affordable than the $999 iPhone 14 Pro base model. The OnePlus 11 offers a larger display, faster charging, and a larger battery at a lower price point. However, the iPhone 14 Pro may have a more premium design, better video recording capabilities, and longer software support. The choice between the two devices depends on individual priorities and budget.
Sony’s Xperia 5 V
Display
The Xperia 5 V has a 6.1-inch OLED display with 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 14 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.1-inch OLED display with 1179 x 2556 resolution, also 120Hz. Both offer vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Xperia 5 V display is flat while the iPhone 14 Pro has curved edges.
Design
The Xperia 5 V has a sleek and slim design with a glass back and aluminum frame, weighing just 168g. It is IP68 dust/water resistant. The iPhone 14 Pro has a more premium stainless steel frame and weighs more at 206g but is also IP68 rated. The Xperia 5 V has a side mounted fingerprint scanner while the iPhone uses Face ID.
Performance
The Xperia 5 V is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip while the iPhone 14 Pro runs Apple’s latest A16 Bionic processor. Both deliver cutting edge performance that can handle demanding apps and games easily. The A16 benchmarks slightly higher but real world speed should be excellent on both.
Camera
The Xperia 5 V has a 48MP main and 12MP ultrawide camera. It can shoot 4K video at 120fps. The iPhone 14 Pro offers a 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. It has better video features like ProRes but the Xperia may have an edge for photos.
Battery Life
The Xperia 5 V packs a 5000 mAh battery with fast charging at 30W. The iPhone 14 Pro has much lower battery capacity at 3200 mAh but still provides all day life. It charges faster at up to 27W. The Xperia 5 V has a clear advantage in battery performance.
Software
The Xperia 5 V runs Android 13. The iPhone 14 Pro runs iOS 16. Both offer a smooth experience and access to their respective app ecosystems. iOS may have an edge in longer software support.
Price
The Xperia 5 V is expected to cost around $1000. The iPhone 14 Pro starts at $999. The Xperia 5 V competes well with its larger battery, sleek design, and fast charging while the iPhone offers more premium build, better video recording, and longer software updates.