Apple recently released the iPhone 15, which is incredible as always. It's among the best options available in almost every aspect, but it's not the only game in town. The Apple ecosystem is competent, but you have to stick with Apple-made gadgets to get the most out of it. So, if you're looking for a more flexible option, consider opting for iPhone 15 alternatives. Flagship models from Samsung, OnePlus, Nubia, and other top brands can compete and probably service some needs that the iPhone 15 will not offer. Take a moment to check out the best available options.
Best iPhone 15 Alternatives That Offer Great Value
The market is chock-full with new models promising what they can't offer. However, only a handful smartphone can go toe-to-toe with the iPhone 15 in terms of performance and features. We have outlined the best iPhone 15 alternatives to help you pick one that suits you perfectly. Let's get started.Â
1. Apple iPhone 14
If you're looking for iPhone 15 alternatives and want to keep enjoying the best of Apple's ecosystem for a lower price tag, the iPhone 14 is the best way to go. Aside from the new USB-C ports and minor hardware upgrades, they are the same phone. Especially since they both have the Dynamic Island feature. The base iPhone 14 delivers insane performance running on the Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) processor chip. It pairs with 6GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal memory to handle heavy-duty apps smoothly. It runs on iOS 16 out of the box and is upgradable to iOS 17.5.1.
For graphics, Apple's GPU (5-core graphics) relays through a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display panel with a 60-Hz refresh rate. Corning Gorilla glass protects the screen with 1,200 nits of peak brightness, a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and an 86.0% screen-to-body ratio. The display supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This phone weighs only 172 grams and has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Apple says it can stay in 6m deep water for 30 minutes unfazed. The front and back ceramic shield glasses sandwich its aluminum frame.
You'll find the power and volume buttons, lightning port, speakers, mic, and SIM tray along this frame. The rear camera setup comprises two 12 MP wide and ultra-wide sensors, while another 12 MP wide AI-focus sensor is the sole selfie camera. The iPhone 14's figures may not be comparable on paper with others on this list, but its performance is top-notch. Its battery is a 3,279 Li-Ion that supports fast Wired charging, 15W MagSafe, and 15W Qi2 wireless charging. A new iPhone 14 starts at $472.99 for the lowest memory configuration.Â
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
When it comes to the ability to handle heavy-duty apps, Samsung's S24 Ultra is the perfect choice. Its Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) processor chip pairs with 12GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of internal memory. The phone comes out of the box with Android 14 and One UI 6.1.1. It weighs 232 grams and sports Corning Gorilla Armor glass in front and at the rear with a titanium frame. Samsung says its IP68 water and dust resistance can survive in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes. Additionally, it has Stylus support -and comes with an S Pen.
Furthermore, the phone relies on an Adreno 750 (1 GHz) GPU for crisp graphics. Its 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display panel has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 2,600 nits peak brightness. The screen supports HDR10+, has a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and an 88.5% screen-to-body ratio. Regarding optics, a front-facing 12 MP wide sensor is the selfie camera. Meanwhile, the rear quad-camera setup comprises a 200 MP wide, 50 MP periscope telephoto, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 10 MP telephoto sensors.
The fingerprint scanner uses an optical, ultrasonic under-display sensor. A built-in 5,000 mAh Li-Ion long-lasting battery serves for power. It supports 45W PD3.0 wired, 15W wireless (Qi/PMA), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. According to Samsung, the PD3.0 charging can boost from zero to 65% in 30 minutes. Pricing starts at $879.99 for a new Galaxy S24 Ultra unit.
3. ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 ProÂ
The Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro is a top-class smartphone for gaming. It features a sleek 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits of peak brightness. This phone is famous among gamers due to its insane cooling system, which is silent and allows it to run heavy games for extended hours.
Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is the processor for this device. The processor is paired with 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of RAM to run smoothly. Internal memory options are 256 GB and 512 GB. Additionally, it has pressure-sensitive zones with 520 Hz touch-sensing. The phone has a glass front and back with aviation aluminum for its frame.
The rear camera system comprises two 50 MP wide and ultra-wide sensors, a 2 MP macro camera, and a 16MP sensor that handles selfies solely. Furthermore, this phone boasts an 80W wired charging rating for its 6,500 mAh battery. Its battery lasts long and charges fast, which makes it ideal for long gaming sessions. A new ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro will set you back only $749.
4. Realme GT 6T
The Realme GT 6T is a top-class phone. It's one of the best iPhone 15 alternatives in terms of display quality and software performance. Its display panel is a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 6,000 nits of peak brightness. Insane right? There's more! The screen sports Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, a resolution of 1264 x 2780 pixels, and a screen-to-body ratio of 91.8%. It comes off production lines with Android 14 and Realme UI 5.0.
You get the Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) processor chip paired with 8 or 12GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0 internal memory options up to 512GB. Its 5,500 mAh battery is among the best available, and it supports wired charging speeds up to 120W. Realme says it can go from one to 50% in only ten minutes.
The GT 6T weighs only 191 grams and is water-resistant. It offers dual Nano-SIM and great optics. The rear setup comprises a 50 MP wide and 8 MP ultra-wide sensors, while the front has a sole 32 MP lens. Like most phones on this list, the fingerprint sensor is under-display. A new Realme GT 6T ranges between $514 and $597, depending on the RAM/ROM options.
5. Xiaomi 13T
The 13T offers users the best of Xiaomi's HyperOS. It has a tri-camera setup at the rear comprising a pair of 50MP wide and telephoto cameras with a 12 MP ultra-wide sensor. Meanwhile, a 20 MP wide camera is the only sensor in front. Immortalis-G715 MC11 is the GPU that delivers crisp graphics on the 6.67-inch AMOLED display panel. Its screen parameters are peak brightness – 2,600 nits, refresh rate – 144 Hz, resolution – 1220 x 2712 pixels, aspect ratio – 20:9, and screen-to-body ratio – 87.5%. It supports Dolby Vision, 68B Colors, and HDR10+.
The front and back are made of Corning glass, while the frame is plastic. These materials combine to weigh only 200 grams and facilitate an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. This phone runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm) processor, which has 12 or 16 GB of RAM for multitasking. Internal memory can be 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
All 13Ts have the same 5,000 mAh Li-Po battery that promises long battery life and supports 120W wired charging. According to Xiaomi, it uses USB Type-C and can charge from one to 100% in merely 19 minutes. So, if you want a phone that charges really quickly and lasts long, get one for yourself. A new base Xiaomi 13T starts at $599 on Amazon.
6. Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the first smartphone in the world with a Pantone-validated camera and display. It's also among the best iPhone 15 alternatives in terms of performance. The phone weighs only 197 grams and sports a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus over the display panel, a wooden or silicone polymer back (eco-leather), and an aluminum frame. It also has IP68 water and dust resistance.
The 6.7-inch P-OLED display panel has a refresh rate of 144 Hz and 2,500 nits of peak brightness. Furthermore, it has a screen resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and a 92.1% screen-to-body ratio. Its processor is a Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) chip that pairs with 12GB or 16GB of RAM. The phone comes with Android 14, and you get 512GB or 1TB of non-expandable internal memory (UFS 4.0).
A 4,500 mAh battery powers this phone, and you can charge it via 125W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless. A 50 MP wide camera stands in front as the sole selfie camera. Also, the rear camera setup comprises two 50 MP wide and ultra-wide sensors with a 64 MP periscope telephoto camera. The loudspeakers offer SnapDragon sound; however, there is no headphone jack. You can get a new Motorola Edge 50 Ultra for about $1,008.
7. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
The Zenfone 11 Ultra is among the best smartphones of 2024. It is well-rounded and offers impressive specifications. You get a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display panel delivering crisp graphics with an Adreno 750 GPU. It supports an always-on display. It has a refresh rate of 144 Hz, a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and 2,500 nits of peak brightness.Â
The phone runs on the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with storage options up to 512GB. The tri-camera system comprises a 50 MP wide, 32 MP telephoto, and 13MP ultra-wide cameras. You also get a 32 MP selfie front camera. Power comes from a 5,500 mAh battery. It supports 65W wired, 15W wireless (Qi), and 10W reverse wired charging. Asus advertises that the PD3.0 wired charging can go from one to 100% in only 39 minutes.
The phone has an aluminum frame with glass in front and at the rear. It weighs only 224 grams and has IP68 water and dust resistance rating. The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra starts at $899 on Amazon.
8. Nothing Phone (2a)
Nothing keeps enhancing the Glyph interface to become more practical. For the Nothing Phone (2a), the lighting is more practical than it is aesthetic. You can configure the 3 rear LED lights to make unique patterns for notifications from different apps. This way, you can tell whether the notification requires urgency without even picking up your phone. Furthermore, this phone runs on the Nothing OS 2.5.5, which is bloatware-free.
Mediatek's Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm) processor chip pairs with up to 12 GB of RAM to run this phone smoothly. The base models feature 8GB, but you can opt for a 12 GB variant. Internal storage options are 128 GB and 256 GB. Regarding optics, a pair of 50 MP wide and ultra-wide sensors capture stunning images and videos from behind the phone. Meanwhile, a 32 MP wide sensor is the sole front-facing selfie camera. The phone weighs only 190 grams and has an IP54 water and dust resistance rating.
The display panel is an AMOLED measuring 6.7 inches (diagonal) with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It has a peak brightness of 1,300 nits, an aspect ratio of 20:9, and supports HDR10+ and Always-on display. This screen has a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects it. Also, its fingerprint scanner is under-display. Power comes from a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 45W fast wired charging via a USB Type-C port. A new Nothing Phone (2a) unit costs $399 on Amazon.
9. Google Pixel 8 Pro
If you want a phone for capturing and editing pictures and videos, this is your stop. The Pixel 8 Pro runs on Google's new Tensor G3 processor chip. This phone offers the best Android 14 experience with up to seven years of software support. The new Tensor chip supports some AI features you will enjoy. It pairs with up to 1TB and 12GB RAM storage options. The screen comprises a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,400 nits of peak brightness.
Pixel phones take the best pictures, and we can say the same about the 8 Pro. The rear triple-camera setup is insane. It comprises a 50 MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera. Furthermore, a 10.8 MP camera sits in front for selfies. You get to take advantage of a plethora of impressive camera modes like natural-colored photo and video capture and HDR-enhanced low-light capturing.
The phone's design is unique, with Corning Glass in front and behind matted with an aluminum frame. It weighs only 213 grams and has a water and dust resistance rating of IP68. Its 5,050 mAh battery can power the phone, running heavy apps seamlessly for up to 20 hours. The battery supports 50W fast wired, reverse wired, and 23W wireless charging. A new Google Pixel 8 Pro unit starts at about $579.91 on Amazon.
10. OnePlus 12R
OnePlus has impressed the market again with a new flagship phone. The 12R is one of the best iPhone 15 alternatives. It features a 6.78-inch LTPO4 AMOLED display panel with 4,500 nits of peak brightness. The screen resolution is 1264 x 2780 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio. With a screen refresh rate of 120 Hz and a screen-to-body ratio of 90.9%, you get Dolby Vision support. This phone offers one of the best battery performances available today. The 5,500 mAh battery with 100W wired charging boosts from one to 100% in just 26 minutes.
Many users enjoy using this phone for business applications because it runs heavy apps seamlessly. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is supported by 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of RAM. Internal storage is UFS3.1 for all 12Rs, and you can choose between 128GB and 256GB options. Furthermore, it unpacks Android 14 and OxygenOS 14 straight from the production lines.
The phone comes with 50MP wide, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro lenses for rear cameras. The Front camera has a 16MP wide lens. It uses an under-display optical fingerprint sensor. The phone weighs only 207 grams and has an IP64 water and dust resistance rating. The OnePlus 12R ranges between $449 and $649, depending on your preferred memory options.
Let's Wrap Up…
Flagship models are usually pretty expensive. So, if you want one, you should be willing to splurge. Moreover, we explored the market to bring you the best iPhone 15 alternatives that deliver value to match their price tags. Most smartphones on the list are Android, but if you don't want to abandon the iOS ship just yet, we'll still have you covered. You can buy any of these smartphones from Amazon, Aliexpress, Jumia, Konga, or any other gadget store of your choice. Whether you prioritize taking sparkly photos or playing all your favorite games, these phones can handle everything seamlessly.
