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The best iPhone 15 alternatives: 6 phones to consider before you buy

The iPhone 15 looks great, but it's not for everyone.
By

Published onJanuary 17, 2024

iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island in hand with expanded music island
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Apple recently unveiled its latest flagship series, the iPhone 15 family. The latest iPhones bring quite a few features and a welcome move to USB-C. There’s a lot to love about them, but what if you aren’t sold on iOS or want something different? That’s what we are here for. Join us as we take a look at the best iPhone 15 alternatives on the market today.

Apple iPhone 14 series

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max purple back
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

If you’re looking for the best alternative to the iPhone 15 series, you might just want to stick with the iPhone 14 family. Sure, you’ll be dealing with slightly older hardware, but you’ll also save a good amount of cash. You’ll also get the same software eventually now that the iOS 17 update has rolled out.

The iPhone 14 family varies a bit depending on what model you get. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have the most in common, as both use the same Apple A16 Bionic SoC and storage variants ranging from 128GB to 512GB. There are also the same 12MP wide and ultrawide cameras. Battery life is better on the Plus thanks to its larger size, and of course, the Plus has a larger 6.7-inch screen compared to the iPhone 14.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max jump up to an Apple A16 processor and have storage configurations as high as 1TB. They also have the same 48MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto lenses.

Even if they are a year old, the iPhone 14 series holds up extremely well against the iPhone 15 and 2023 Android flagships. Just be aware you won’t get Apple’s Apple A17 on the Pro series or the A16 on the iPhone 14 and Plus. You’ll also be stuck with a Lightning port over USB-C.

Apple iPhone 14
Apple iPhone 14
Apple iPhone 14
All-day battery life • Capable cameras • Great software support
MSRP: $799.00
The cheapest phone of the series
While the iPhone 14 isn't a massive upgrade over its predecessor, it's still a great phone overall. It has a great design, long-term software support, and a capable camera system. It also costs a lot less than the other phones in the series.
See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Unbeatable software support
Powerful SoC
Dynamic Island
See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Premium design and build
Upgraded main camera
Dynamic Island
See price at Amazon
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
SOS satellite system
Updated 12MP camera
Large-display base model iPhone

Samsung Galaxy S24 series

Samsung Galaxy S24 series standing angled
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

If Apple’s ecosystem is not a selling point for you, why not consider one of the best Android phones available as an alternative? The Samsung Galaxy S24 series fits the bill, with a comprehensive list of hardware and software features.

The three models in the range share base specs, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset, 120Hz AMOLED displays, an IP68 rating, and similar tertiary cameras. As with the iPhone 15 series, the models have a few differences.

The Galaxy S24 is the smallest option, with a 6.2-inch display and a 4,000mAh battery. Just above it on the pecking order is the Galaxy S24 Plus, packing a larger 6.7-inch display and a 4,900mAh battery.

For those who crave everything and the kitchen sink, the Galaxy S24 Ultra brings a titanium frame, an S Pen, a 200MP primary camera, two telephoto lenses with optically reach up to 5x, and a larger 6.8-inch display.

The biggest selling point for most will be Samsung’s new software commitments. All three devices will receive updates for seven years, extending their working lives well into the 2030s. Samsung is also pushing its AI smarts with tools that enrich the phones’ productivity and imaging powers.

While the two base models retain their predecessors’ sticker prices, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a little pricier this year.

Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24
AA Recommended
Samsung Galaxy S24
Seven-year update commitment • Neat AI features • Robust battery life
MSRP: $799.99
Powerful AI smarts and slimmer bezels
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series focuses on added AI technology. With a 6.2-inch, 120Hz display, 128GB or 256GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, and up to 2,600 nits peak display brightness, the S24 is promising to be a quality update in the line. The new AI features go deep, improving your experience with the camera, search, and much more.
See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Powerful, flexible cameras
Excellent update commitment
Brilliant flat display
See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Bright, sharp 1440p display
Excellent update commitment
Handy Galaxy AI features

Google Pixel 8 series

Google Pixel 8 back in hand
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Pixel 8

The Pixel 8 series is another great iPhone 15 alternative. While its specs might not be quite as powerful as some of the others on this list, it has one of the best smartphone camera experiences you’ll find. It’s also a bit more affordable, which is a nice bonus.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are both powered by the same Tensor G3 chipset, which adds plenty of machine learning and AI capabilities that help it shine. It’s also much better at heat dissipation, something that was a serious issue for the Pixel 7 family.

The Pixel 8 is the smaller of the two, with its 6.2-inch 60-120Hz OLED display. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro is much bigger largely due to its 6.7-inch 1-120Hz pOLED screen. Other key differences include 8GB of RAM on the Pixel 8, versus 12GB on the Pro. There’s also a larger 5,050mAh battery on the Pro, while the Pixel 8 has a 4,575mAh battery.

The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro both have some of the best cameras that rival the iPhone 15 series, with the same 50MP main sensor. The Pro adds a 48MP telephoto and 48MP ultrawide lens to the mix, while the Pixel 8 lacks a telephoto lens and has a slightly less impressive 12MP ultrawide. Don’t let that fool you, it’s still a great camera. The front camera remains the same on both as well.

In many ways, the Pixel series feels like an Android-based version of the iPhone. Just like the iPhone 15 series, Google is known for its minimalist approach. It’s easy to use and it just works, even if it doesn’t have quite as many bells and whistles as more feature-packed phones like the S24 Ultra. Even better, the Pixel 8 is just $699. The Pixel 7 Pro is $300 more, but that’s still quite affordable for what you get.

Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
AA Editor's Choice
Google Pixel 7
Tensor G2 processor • Upgraded camera • Low price
MSRP: $599.00
Value for money like no other
The Pixel 7 is a flagship Pixel for everyone. It offers the next-gen Google processor, some terrific specs, and a reasonable price. You can upgrade to the Pixel 7 Pro if you want a larger display and even better cameras.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
AA Editor's Choice
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best Google camera • High-quality display • Big battery
MSRP: $899.00
The Pixel 7 Pro is the top-of-the-line phone on Google's roster.
The Google Pixel 7 Pro takes the best features from the Pixel 6 Pro, and makes them even better. Enjoy numerous camera upgrades and some fun new software tricks, all for the same cost as the last-gen Pixel phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 buttons and flex window
Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Looking for something different? The Samsung Galaxy Flip 5 might be worth a look. It’s much more pocketable than Apple’s offerings, for starters.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 looks like your average phone when unfolded, with its sizeable 6.7-inch AMOLED display. When folded in half, it slips right into your pocket. Even better, there’s a 3.4-inch Flex Window screen on the front that still lets you check messages, control music, run full apps, and much more.

Under the hood, you’ll get an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 2 processor, the latest from Qualcomm. Of course, it’s not all perfect. Battery life is okay at best and there’s no dust protection. It’s more fragile than the iPhone 15 and other conventional phones. Even the camera feels a little like a compromise.

There’s just a 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide camera on the back, with a 10MP front camera. There’s no telephoto or anything. Thankfully, the photo quality is still great, just not quite as good as you’ll get from the iPhone 15 series and some of the others on the list before this.

Still, the Galaxy Z Flip is a great phone and is perfect for those who want something that stands out as different from the crowd.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
AA Editor's Choice
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Huge new Flex Window • Excellent build quality • Solid rear cameras
MSRP: $999.99
Samsung's thinnest, most refined clamshell-style foldable yet
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is Samsung's fifth-generation clamshell foldable phone, complete with a 3.4-inch asymmetrical cover display, revamped gapless hinge, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 folded in hand
Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

Want even more screen real estate than Apple can offer? Look no further than the Galaxy Z Fold 5. On the outside, it looks like a fairly normal 6.2-inch phone, but unfolding it reveals an interior 7.6-inch tablet-sized display.

Just like the Z Flip 5 before it, there’s a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor backed by 12GB of RAM. The camera is also excellent, and pretty much the same as you’d find with the non-Ultra members of the S23 series. You get a 50MP primary, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide sensor.

On the flip side, this is an expensive device at around $1,800. It’s also thick, heavy, and has pretty medicare battery life. Just like the Flip, it’s also likely to be a bit more on the fragile side due to its foldable design.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
AA Editor's Choice
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
New hinge finally folds flat • Bright, vibrant displays • Powerful multitasking features
MSRP: $1,799.99
The most powerful folding phone gets even stronger
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 improves on the folding platform with a more reliable hinge, stronger glass, an IPX8 rating, plenty of storage options, and a big, bright display.

Sony Xperia 1V and 5V

Sony Xperia 1 V homescreen in hand
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Sony isn’t as popular as the other companies on this list, but the Sony Xperia 5 V and Xperia 1 V () are still quite capable iPhone 15 alternatives. Unlike Samsung, the only real difference between its two variants is the screen size. The former has a 6.1-inch FHD+ display, while the latter is a 6.5-inch 4K OLED panel.

The latest Xperia flagships have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC found on almost every phone on this list. There’s also the same 5,000mAh battery, which is absolutely massive for a phone the size of the 5 V. Sony also has an excellent camera package, with a 52MP main sensor backed by a 12MP ultrawide and a 12MP telephoto lens.

The biggest downside is the price tag. The Xperia 1V can be currently purchased for $1,399, while the more recently announced 5V is expected to start around $1076. That’s a lot to pay for a phone that only has 128GB storage and a software policy that falls behind the rest with just three years of OS updates.

See price at Amazon
Sony Xperia 5 V
4%off
Sony Xperia 5 V
Compact design
Excellent battery life
Plenty of multimedia apps
See price at Amazon
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Excellent audio quality
Versatile camera performance
Exceptional battery life

iPhone 15 alternatives: Honorable mentions

Looking for more options? Here are two more worth an honorable mention:

  • Google Pixel 7a ($477 at Amazon): While it’s not much cheaper than a Pixel 7, the Pixel 7a is a great phone if you can find it at discount. You’ll get the same Tensor G2 as the main flagships, a great camera, and three years of OS updates with five years of security patches.
  • iPhone SE (2022) ($429 at Amazon): The iPhone SE is a great alternative for budget shoppers who want to stick with the iOS platform. Its design might be very small and quite dated, but you still get a powerful A15 chipset and an excellent software update policy that exceeds anything you’ll find in the Android world.
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 series (from $799 at Amazon): Although it’s no longer Samsung’s latest, the Galaxy S23 series is still a stellar trio of smartphones. Not much has changed over the Galaxy S24 line, and expect pricing to be more reasonable with the new line now available.
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