If you’re looking for a new smartphone the new iPhones will be far from the only games in town.
On Tuesday Apple introduced a radically redesigned iPhone X with a slew of impressive new features and, as expected, a $1,000 price tag.
For some, this may be the iPhone they have waited years for. Others may be intrigued by the new iPhone 8, which features a design similar to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus but adds iPhone X features like wireless charging and an improved camera at a more affordable price tag.
Before you commit to plopping down hundreds of dollars, however, you should know there are quite a few very good Android alternatives.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 already packs many of the new features Apple added to the iPhone X, including a sharp 5.8-inch edge-to-edge display, facial recognition, and fast wireless charging, in addition to the already standard water resistance.
While the iPhone X’s dual camera may trump the Galaxy S8s 12-megapixel single shooter, the S8 still has an impressive camera.
The biggest reason the S8 has this spot, however, is its price.
An unlocked, 64GB Galaxy S8 currently sells for $724.99 on Samsung’s site, but the company has an aggressive promotion running (perhaps coincidentally tied to the busy smartphone season) that allows you to trade many popular older devices for $200-$300 off. Under the promotion, you can even get $200 for trading in a five-year-old iPhone 5, assuming the device powers on and there is no other major damage to the phone or screen.
At $424.99 or $524.99, it’s hard to beat the S8.
Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The Note 8 is an impressive device that has nearly all the same features as the S8 but with a slightly larger display, dual-cameras and support for the S-Pen stylus. While it is a strong device on its own, unless you really want the S-Pen or dual cameras, at $929.99 for the 64GB unlocked version before trade-in (Samsung also has an identical trade-in offer available) you are better off saving the money and going with the S8.
Runner-up: HTC U11
The HTC U11 is one of the sleekest devices on the market. While it lacks an edge-to-edge display, dual cameras or a headphone jack, it is a top performer that is also gorgeous, not withstanding the fact that it is fingerprint prone. The 16-megapixel rear camera is a particular standout and it has other 2017 staples such as water resistance and a sharp display. However, at $649.99, you are still better off going for the Galaxy S8.
The OnePlus 5 is the latest device from popular Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus. For $479 unlocked for the 64GB version, the OnePlus 5 continues the company’s tradition of offering top-of-the-line specs at a much more affordable price. While the display is not edge-to-edge or as crisp as others on this list, the OnePlus 5’s 5.5-inch screen is still sharp and the processor in here is the same Qualcomm chip that powers the Galaxy S8, Note 8 and HTC U11.
The dual-rear cameras on the OnePlus are not as strong as the others mentioned here,, and the phone lacks water resistance and only works on AT&T or T-Mobile’s networks, limiting its appeal. But at less than $500, it represents one of the best deals you can find for a top smartphone, especially if you’re on a budget.
Runner-up: Moto Z2 Play
At $499 unlocked ($408 on Verizon) the Moto Z2 Play is a strong rival to the OnePlus 5. Like the original Z Play from 2016, the Z2 Play has excellent battery life, a nice metal design and support for Motorola’s line of MotoMods attachments that let you add accessories such as a gamepad, speaker or projector (all sold separately). The 12-megapixel rear camera is similarly not as strong as the best from Apple, Samsung and HTC and the processor in here is slower than the one in the OnePlus. But again, for the price, the Z2 Play is a solid option.
While the phones on this list are the best of what is out today, Apple is far from the last major manufacturer to have new phones in the works for this year.
Google is said to be refreshing its Pixel line in October while LG’s recently announced V30, with a sleek design and beautiful OLED display, should hit store shelves in the next few weeks (exact pricing and release date are still TBA). There are also new entrants to the smartphone space, including Essential from Android creator Andy Rubin, which packs plenty of promise if it can beef up its camera (and other areas) via software upgrades.
And if you are looking to save even more, consider models introduced last year that are still are on the market, including the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Galaxy S7 and original Google Pixel. These should only get cheaper when the latest phones arrive.
In short, there are plenty of good options if you’re looking for a new phone this fall.
Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthal
