{"id":139678,"date":"2025-09-15T21:02:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T21:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/139678\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T21:02:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T21:02:27","slug":"5-android-phones-you-should-buy-instead-of-the-iphone-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/139678\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Android phones you should buy instead of the iPhone 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

Joe Maring \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The latest Apple event has come and gone, and just as we expected, one of the big announcements from it was the iPhone 17<\/a>. While the base model iPhone 17 may be the least interesting of the new iPhones announced, it is the one most people will likely end up buying.<\/p>\n

To Apple\u2019s credit, there are things to like about the iPhone 17. It has some new cameras, finally gets a 120Hz display<\/a>, and features Apple\u2019s new A19 chip. Combined with the same excellent design we saw last year for the iPhone 16, there\u2019s a fair amount to like.<\/p>\n

However, for the same $799 you\u2019ll have to pay for the iPhone 17, there are far better and more interesting Android phones you could (and should) get instead. Here are my five favorite Android alternatives to the iPhone 17.<\/p>\n

What Android phone do you think is the best iPhone 17 alternative?<\/p>\n

4353 votes<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/p>\n

27%<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/p>\n

28%<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/p>\n

16%<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/p>\n

12%<\/p>\n

Motorola Razr (2025)<\/p>\n

14%<\/p>\n

Other (let us know in the comments)<\/p>\n

3%<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

Robert Triggs \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the most obvious and most direct competitor to the iPhone 17: the Google Pixel 10<\/a>. Both phones start at $799 and are the entry-level handsets in their respective lineups. However, if given the choice between the two, I\u2019d pick the Pixel 10 every single time.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest reasons for this is the camera. The iPhone 17\u2019s dual-camera setup is fine, but the Pixel 10\u2019s cameras are just so much more flexible. In addition to a 48MP primary camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera, the Pixel 10 also has a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom \u2014 something that\u2019s completely absent on the iPhone 17. Having a dedicated telephoto camera adds so much versatility to the Pixel 10 that isn\u2019t there on the iPhone 17, and it\u2019s a massive advantage in Google\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n

The Pixel 10 also has a big upper hand with its AI features. Whether it\u2019s Now Playing automatically telling you what song is playing in the background, Google\u2019s unmatched Call Assist tools for spam and customer service calls, or the surprisingly helpful Pixel Screenshots app, Google\u2019s software suite is so darn good \u2014 and it looks even better now thanks to Material 3 Expressive. Sure, the iPhone 17 has its Apple Intelligence features and new Liquid Glass UI, but they both feel significantly behind Google\u2019s software experience.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the Pixel 10 is a lovely design with some great color options, an excellent display, and built-in magnets in the back of the phone that replicate MagSafe on the iPhone 17. If you\u2019re debating whether to get the iPhone 17 or Pixel 10, I strongly recommend going the Pixel route.<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/a>\"Google\"AA<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/p>\n

New optical zoom camera \u2022 Long-term updates \u2022 Loaded with Google AI features<\/p>\n

Baseline excellence.<\/p>\n

The Google Pixel 10 is the 6.3-inch base model of the in-house Android phones from Google. With plenty of high-speed storage options, a good amount of RAM, and the all-new Tensor G5 processor, it should blow through your mobile computing tasks with ease. A triple camera system includes standalone ultrawide and telephoto lenses, and a 50MP main sensor.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Joe Maring \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy S25<\/a> is another good alternative to the iPhone 17 for many of the same reasons as the Pixel 10. This is another $799 Android phone that\u2019s the base model entry into its flagship lineup. While I personally prefer the Pixel 10, the Galaxy S25 has some advantages that prospective iPhone 17 shoppers may prefer.<\/p>\n

One of those things is the chipset. While the Tensor G5 chip inside the Pixel 10 is a solid overall performer, the Snapdragon 8 Elite powering the Galaxy S25 is significantly more powerful and much more comparable to the A19 chip in the iPhone 17. The Galaxy S25 also more closely matches the weight and thickness of the iPhone 17, which is notably lighter and thinner than the slightly chunky Pixel 10.<\/p>\n

As is the case for most of the phones on this list, the Galaxy S25 further benefits from a triple-camera system on the back, including a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. It\u2019s not quite as impressive as the Pixel 10\u2019s telephoto camera, but it\u2019s still better than no telephoto sensor on the iPhone 17. And just like in Google\u2019s case, Samsung\u2019s Galaxy AI features topple Apple Intelligence. Whether you pick the Pixel 10 or Galaxy S25, either one is about as close to a direct iPhone 17 competitor as you\u2019ll find, and both are better buys than Apple\u2019s handset.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/a>\"Samsung<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/p>\n

12GB RAM \u2022 Vastly improved software \u2022 7 years of support<\/p>\n

Refined software, AI smarts, and next-gen hardware<\/p>\n

With an emphasis on AI features, and a move to Gemini, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is an exciting update to the Galaxy S line. Equipped with a 6.2-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 12GB of RAM, a powerful 50MP camera, and updated hardware materials, we expect big things from the base model of Samsung’s 2025 flagship phone.<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/p>\n

\"OnePlus<\/p>\n

Aamir Siddiqui \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

While a 1:1 iPhone 17 alternative might be the best route for some people, the beauty of Android is that you have so many different options to choose from. If you\u2019re OK looking a little bit beyond your comfort zone, another great choice is the OnePlus 13R<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With a 6.78-inch display, the OnePlus 13R is quite a bit bigger than the iPhone 17, Pixel 10, and Galaxy S25. A phone this big won\u2019t be for everyone, but if you\u2019re missing the loss of the iPhone 17 Plus model this year, the OnePlus 13R could be a good replacement. Furthermore, with a sharp resolution, AMOLED screen tech, and 120Hz display, it\u2019s an excellent all-around panel.<\/p>\n

What else do you get with the OnePlus 13R? Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is plenty powerful for whatever apps\/games you throw at it, its triple-camera setup (which includes a 2x optical zoom telephoto sensor) is solid for everyday use, its battery easily lasts for two days on a single charge, and the 80W wired charge speeds blow the iPhone 17 out of the water.<\/p>\n

The best part? The OnePlus 13R costs just $599. That\u2019s right \u2014 $200 less for a phone with a bigger screen, longer battery life, and faster charging than the iPhone 17. If you want to stretch your dollars further than what Apple will allow, the OnePlus 13R is the way to go.<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/a>\"OnePlus\"AA<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/p>\n

Speedy performance \u2022 Long-lasting battery \u2022 Superb value for money<\/p>\n

R-eally great.<\/p>\n

The OnePlus 13R is everything you\u2019d expect from a OnePlus phone \u2014 blazing performance, amazing battery life, and rapid charging. Add to that a gorgeous display and a smooth, feature-packed Oxygen OS experience, and you have a phone that feels like it punches well above its $600 price tag.<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/p>\n

\"Nothing<\/p>\n

Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say you\u2019re OK with a bigger phone and don\u2019t mind staying in that $799 price range. In that case, another Android phone you should keep in mind is the Nothing Phone 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One look at the Nothing Phone 3 is all it takes to realize the sheer variety in smartphone options Android has to offer. Between the unique camera sensor placement, transparent back, and small Glyph Matrix screen in the upper-right corner, the Nothing Phone 3 is one of the most unique-looking smartphones released this year.<\/p>\n

Design is a big factor for the Nothing Phone 3, but it\u2019s not the only thing going for it. It\u2019s also got an excellent 6.67-inch display, great performance, and very fast charging that\u2019s second only to the OnePlus 13R. And, of course, there are three cameras on the back, one of which is a 3x optical zoom telephoto camera.<\/p>\n

Compared to the OnePlus 13R, the Nothing Phone 3 isn\u2019t as good an overall value. However, if you\u2019d rather buy a standout Android phone instead of the cookie-cutter iPhone 17, the Nothing Phone 3\u00a0 makes a darn good argument for itself.<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/a>\"Nothing\"AA<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/p>\n

Excellent wired charging \u2022 Unique design \u2022 Solid cameras<\/p>\n

Nothing’s first ‘true flagship.’<\/p>\n

The Phone 3 is a stylish reinvention of Nothing’s Android phone series, now with flagship specs, including a large silicon-carbon battery, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, and a periscope zoom lens with macro photography support.<\/p>\n

Motorola Razr (2025)<\/p>\n

\"Motorola<\/p>\n

Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

Speaking of standout Android phones, what if you could spend less than what the iPhone 17 costs for an Android phone that folds in half? Well, you can, and it\u2019s possible thanks to the Motorola Razr (2025)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While we\u2019ve yet to see a foldable iPhone, the Android landscape is full of foldables. The Razr (2025) is one of three folding phones Motorola launched this year, and it\u2019s infinitely more interesting than the iPhone 17. When it\u2019s open, the Razr\u2019s 6.9-inch inner display looks like any other big Android phone. But the magic of the Razr is that you can fold it shut into half the size and still use all of your favorite apps on the 3.6-inch cover screen. It really is like having a compact and big smartphone in one package, and it\u2019s an experience you just can\u2019t get with the iPhone 17.<\/p>\n

The Razr (2025) further benefits from some truly gorgeous colors\/finishes, including navy blue, a beautiful seafoam green, pink, and gray\/silver. Paired with a snappy chipset, 256GB of storage, and surprisingly decent cameras (albeit no telephoto sensor), there\u2019s quite a lot to like.<\/p>\n

Unbelievably, you get all of this for just $699. Yes \u2014 a folding Android phone for $100 less than the iPhone 17. If there\u2019s a better example of the stark difference between Android and iPhone options in 2025, I\u2019m not sure what it is.<\/p>\n

Motorola Razr (2025)<\/a>\"Motorola<\/p>\n

Motorola Razr (2025)<\/p>\n

Improved hinge \u2022 Flexible cameras \u2022 Excellent price<\/p>\n

The most affordable 2025 Razr<\/p>\n

A good looking 6.9-inch folding display is paired with a 3.6-inch external display to make up a compact folded phone, with few compromises at full-size. The Motorola Razr 2025 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X and 8GB of RAM, a 50MP camera, and a 4,500mAh battery.<\/p>\n

Thank you for being part of our community. Read our\u00a0Comment Policy<\/a> before posting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Joe Maring \/ Android Authority The latest Apple event has come and gone, and just as we expected,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":139679,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[23544,1632,2306,16577,4428,64990,19081,86,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-139678","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-apple-iphone-17","9":"tag-google-pixel-10","10":"tag-mobile","11":"tag-motorola-razr","12":"tag-nothing-phone-3","13":"tag-oneplus-13r","14":"tag-samsung-galaxy-s25","15":"tag-technology","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139678"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139678\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}