5 phones worth buying instead of the iPhone 16
He iPhone 16 from Apple, and it’s a pretty impressive offering this year. Not only does it come in some of the best colors we’ve seen in a long time, but it further closes the gap between the base model and the Pro models.
That’s all to say that the iPhone 16 is a fantastic phone, but if you’re thinking about buying it as your next smartphone, you should also consider some of these alternatives.
iPhone 16 plus
You might be considering the regular iPhone 16 because it’s the most affordable of the new models. But for an additional fee you can also watch iPhone 16 plusif you are happy with a larger phone.
iPhone 16 Plus has the same features as iPhone 16: bright and fun colors, action button, camera controls, Dynamic Island, A18 chip with 8GB RAM for Apple Intelligence, 48MP Fusion camera and improved 12MP Ultra lens . -Wide-angle photography, macro photography, spatial photography and video for Apple Vision Pro and much more.
So why buy the iPhone 16 Plus instead of the iPhone 16? On the one hand, a larger size means a larger screen to view all your content. This means you’ll have to travel less and you’ll be able to enjoy videos and games more easily. The larger size also means longer battery life, as the iPhone 16 Plus packs a 4,674mAh battery compared to the 3,561mAh in the iPhone 16. If you’re not always near a charger, that larger battery could make a difference.
iPhone 16 pro
Perhaps you’re considering the iPhone 16 because of its smaller size and don’t want a big phone. That’s great too! But what if you want better features?
This year, Apple has once again closed the gap between the base and Pro models more than ever. Features that were previously only available on Pro models are now available on the base iPhone. iPhone 16 has a dynamic island, action button, camera controls, 48MP Fusion camera and Apple Intelligence.
However iPhone 16 pro He still has something to offer. Firstly, the display features 120Hz ProMotion technology, which means smoother scrolling and stutter-free animations. It also has an always-on display, a feature that allows you to see the date and time, widgets, and any notifications you might have even when you’re not using the phone.
For photographers, the iPhone 16 Pro also features a triple-lens camera system that includes a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The ultra-wide-angle camera is a big step up from the base model’s 12-megapixel camera, and it performs better in low-light scenes. A telephoto lens allows you to get closer to a subject from a distance.
iPhone 16 Pro also comes with up to 1TB of storage, which is essential if you plan to take a lot of photos and videos or download a lot of content (apps, games, music, etc.). You’ll pay $200 more for the iPhone 16 Pro than the base iPhone 16, but if you want the best display and cameras available on an iPhone, it’s extra money well spent.
Google Pixel 9
If you’re choosing the iPhone 16 based on its size and price, you should also consider Google Pixel 9. This is the base model of Google’s Pixel 9 series, and it’s very similar, if not better, to the iPhone 16. Of course, you’ll have to upgrade to Android, but if you’re happy with that, the Pixel 9 is a fantastic option.
The Google Pixel 9 is slightly larger than the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 as it has a 6.3-inch display. The display is also better: it’s an Actua OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, double that of the iPhone 16 (60Hz). Brightness can also reach up to 2,700 nits, compared to just 2,000 nits on the iPhone 16, making the Pixel 9 more suitable for outdoor use in direct sunlight.
The Pixel 9 also features Google’s Tensor G4 chip and 12GB of RAM, which is enough for Google’s AI-powered tools that support Gemini. The Tensor G4 is also quite power efficient, and with a 4,700mAh battery, it should last all day without worrying about plugging it in.
Even the cameras are impressive in terms of performance. It has a 50MP main camera and a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens. Unfortunately, Apple only included a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the iPhone 16 Pro model, and Google Gemini offers plenty of AI-powered photo editing tools to help you clean up your shot.
Not everyone will want to switch from iOS to Android, but if so, the Google Pixel 9 is a fantastic little phone for the same price as the iPhone 16.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Although he Samsung Galaxy S25 is right around the corner, Galaxy S24 It’s still a fantastic phone, especially if you prefer compact devices.
The Galaxy S24 is the base model of the S24 line, but it still packs a lot of power. The 6.2-inch AMOLED display looks fantastic, has a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, so it’s already superior to the iPhone 16 in this regard.
Inside the S24 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, optimized specifically for Galaxy devices. It also has 8GB of RAM, which is on par with the iPhone 16. Running Android 14 and One UI 6.1, the Galaxy S24 is a breeze to use, and the Galaxy AI tools are nice to have.
Samsung has given the Galaxy S24 a triple-lens system, which is also better than the dual camera setup of the iPhone 16. It has a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP wide-angle camera. 120 degree field of view (FOV). While Samsung devices tend to have very saturated colors, the S24’s cameras can still take very good photos. Add to that the excellent battery life and you have another fantastic iPhone 16 alternative.
OnePlus 12
If you don’t mind using Android And if you have a bigger phone, then OnePlus 12 This is another great alternative, especially considering its price. This is simply one of the best phones if you want to get the most for your money.
The OnePlus 12 has a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and can deliver a maximum brightness of up to 4,500 nits—yes, you read that right—4,500 nits. The only downside is that the screen is curved at the edges, which can lead to accidental touches and gestures if you’re not careful, but it takes some getting used to.
The OnePlus 12 is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, along with 12 or 16 GB of RAM, depending on the storage configuration (up to 512 GB). Are you running out of RAM? You can then upgrade the free storage to virtual RAM for even more power. For most people this may be overkill, but if you want to multitask and use split screen mode or even use Open Canvas in Android 15You’ll appreciate the extra RAM.
You also get one of the best camera systems on a mobile phone. The OnePlus 12 features a triple-lens camera system: a 50MP primary camera, a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a 114-degree field of view. Even the selfie camera is an impressive 32MP. And you get Hasselblad color adjustment for improved color, balance and clarity.
OnePlus also impresses with battery life and charging. Its 5400 mAh battery will last at least a day and a half, depending on usage. Charging is also very fast, with 80W wired charging in the US (100W worldwide) and 50W wireless charging.
The OnePlus 12 is also available in unique colors such as Flowy Emerald. The best part? You get it all for as low as $800. OnePlus 12 remains one of the best smartphones of 2024 and so far we expect it to be one of the best smartphones of 2024. OnePlus 13 The OnePlus 12 is coming soon, but the OnePlus 12 is still a fantastic buy.