Apple Is Crushing The Smartphone Market, But These Phones Are Second Best

Apple has always been one of the biggest and most influential companies in the tech industry. Its iPhone, the company's biggest moneymaker, dominated sales charts in 2023 when, according to Counterpoint Research, it clinched the top seven spots of the 10 best-selling smartphones globally. Even the iPhone 13, first released in 2021, made its way to the fourth position.

But the iPhone isn't a perfect device. Its closed iOS software ecosystem makes it harder to customize at times. And while Apple has been taking steps to improve repairability, iPhone owners still face an ugly and difficult reality when they need a fix.

So, what are your options if you want a great smartphone, but don't like Apple? Check out these phone models that are excellent substitutes for the iPhone. They may not be the top in global sales, but that doesn't mean they're laggards in terms of performance, quality, and experience. We're picking one phone each from the major smartphone brands, ensuring you have a choice, no matter which company or phone type you like.

Though many companies make smartphones, only two companies make the software: Apple and Google. If you're not buying an iPhone, odds are your device is powered by Google's Android software. So, if you want a phone built by the company that made the software, it's time to consider Google's Pixel smartphones. The $999 Pixel 8 Pro is the company's top phone, and it too comes with a guarantee of Android software updates and security patches for seven years.

But more than that, the phone also has well-regarded hardware that will rival Samsung's S24 Ultra and Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max. It also has a symmetrical camera bump, meaning your phone won't wobble when you lay it flat on your desk.

Of course, Google is home to a lot of AI technology, so it's natural that the Pixel 8 Pro also has built-in AI that runs on-device — meaning you don't need an internet connection. Those features include smart replies in messages, vibrant video and photo editors, and a popular Circle to Search feature that's also on the Galaxy S24.

If the Pixel 8 Pro's starting price is too much for you, there's the non-pro Pixel 8, which also delivers a serious AI upgrade, at a less costly $699. And if that is still too steep, go for the $499 Pixel 7a, which offers a great camera experience for its price, though with a lower quality screen, among other missing features.

If you're a Millennial or older Gen Z, you probably remember the nostalgia of the Motorola Razr phone that came out in 2004. The phone practically disappeared when smartphones took over. 15 years later, Motorola released a successor to this best-seller, tapping into nostalgia in a way no other folding phones had.

Today, we have the Motorola Razr Plus, whose build quality is so good it's worth judging this foldable phone by its cover — especially its massive outer screen.

Although it isn't powered by the latest and greatest chips like Samsung is, that is not the point of this phone. You purchase the Motorola Razr Plus if you don't want to be just another phone user touting an iPhone in your purse or pocket.

The Razr Plus also costs just $999.99, though it's sometimes on sale for $300 less, making it a tempting buy over the competing Z Flip 5 from Samsung. But if you find that too pricey, you can go for the base model Razr, which normally costs $699.99, but can also be found on sale for as much as $200 off straight from the company's own website.