10 High-End Smartphone Alternatives to Apple’s iPhone

We look at high-end smartphones with a range of features and performance capabilities that might appeal to those looking for iPhone alternatives.

The HTC One M9 is a sleek device featuring a metal finish and a 5-inch full-HD display. The smartphone, which launched earlier this year, runs on the Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, features 32GB of RAM and comes with an important feature: Uh Oh Protection. In the event of a spill or accident, HTC will replace the device for free. For those who may be a bit clumsy, that’s a nice add-on.

Those seeking a Samsung handset but who don’t want to bother with a stylus should consider the Galaxy S6 Edge+. The smartphone is arguably one of the best-looking handsets in this roundup and features a 5.7-inch quad-HD screen to complement its metal finish. The device’s most appealing feature, however, may be its curved edges, which allow for users to place everything from contacts to other information on the side for easy access. It’s a neat feature one will not find in the iPhone.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is the only device in this roundup for the stylus lover. The handset features a 5.7-inch quad-HD display and runs on Google’s Android. The rear-facing camera clocks in at 16 megapixels, while the front-facing sensor has 5 megapixels. The big selling point, however, is support for Samsung’s S pen, allowing users to digitally write on the screen.

The LG G4 is a bit different from the other products in this roundup, due in large part to the material used to safeguard its back casing. If customers are so inclined, they can choose to have a leather-bound back casing for the G4, rather than the typical metallic option. Beyond that, the G4 comes with a 5.5-inch quad-HD screen, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, and like the previous devices in this roundup, runs on Android. One other important note: the LG G4 is powerful, boasting a 1.8GHz hexa-core processor.

While the G4 has been LG’s top smartphone for quite some time, the V10 is a newer entrant that offers similarly appealing features. The Android-based V10 comes with a 5.7-inch screen, as well as a 2.1-inch secondary display that can be used for accessing frequently used apps and other features. That secondary display is unique to the devices in this roundup and could add a level of usability not typically found in other smartphones. On the camera side, the LG V10 offers a 16-megapixel rear-facing option, as well as dual front cameras to provide users varied perspectives on the images they capture.

While all of the other handsets in this roundup are from well-known vendors, the OnePlus 2 is from a niche device maker. The smartphone, however, features several compelling specs, including a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon processor and the high-end Adreno 430 GPU. The OnePlus 2 features a 5.5-inch full-HD screen and has a fingerprint sensor for added security. The OnePlus 2 also runs on the OnePlus OxygenOS, an offshoot of Android developed internally by the startup. OnePlus argues it delivers better security and usability than the standard Android build.

Motorola’s Moto X Pure Edition is one of the cheaper smartphones in this roundup, starting at $400 unlocked. Still, it comes with many nice features, including a 5.7-inch quad-HD display and a 21-megapixel rear-facing camera. The Pure Edition also has a TurboPower charging feature that adds 10 hours of extra battery life to the device within just 15 minutes. Motorola’s high-end handset is part of the company’s Moto Maker program, allowing for all kinds of customization to its external look and feel.

Google partnered with Huawei on its latest Nexus handset, the Nexus 6P. The smartphone has a 5.7-inch quad-HD display and runs on the fast 2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810. Since the Nexus is designed to showcase all that the latest Android installation has to offer, it’s running on Google’s latest operating system, Marshmallow. Google apps users will also be happy to find their favorite apps, including Gmail, Google Maps and Chrome, baked into the operating system.

If it’s another Huawei handset you’re after, check out the Ascend Mate 2. The device has a huge 6.1-inch HD screen and, according to Huawei, is capable of lasting two-and-a-half days on a single charge. The rear-facing camera is a 13-megapixel sensor, but unlike the others in this roundup, the screen has a lower resolution of 1,280 by 720. One other important point: It’s running an older version of Android —Jelly Bean—which may or may not be a problem for some customers.

Finally, Windows 10 gets into the mix with help from the recently announced Microsoft Lumia 950 XL. The smartphone has a design that looks similar to many of the handsets in this roundup and includes a 5.7-inch quad-HD display. Qualcomm again gets the nod with the Lumia 950 XL, which is powered by the company’s Snapdragon 810. One of the Lumia 950 XL’s best features is called Windows Continuum, which allows users to hook the device into a Windows 10 PC and continue using it in full screen on the computer.