The 3 best alternatives for the iPhone XS

Apple's new iPhone XS is very nice and extensive, but it is also (too) expensive. Fortunately, Android manufacturers show that for hundreds of euros less you get a good alternative. That is why Android Planet puts four good and cheaper iPhone XS alternatives in a row.

Overview: the best iPhone XS alternatives

From next Friday the iPhone XS is for sale in the Netherlands. Apple's new device has an improved camera and more powerful hardware. For the first time Apple also releases a model with a screen of no less than 6.5 inches, the iPhone XS Max . Cheap is not the two: the iPhone XS has a suggested retail price of 1159 euros, the XS Max costs a few more euros.

As Android fans we are not used to such prices. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Oppo Find X come with a suggested retail price of 1000 euros in the neighborhood, but usually quickly drop in price. That's why we have listed the best Android alternatives for the iPhone XS for you. These three smartphones in terms of camera, performance and finish are at least in the neighborhood of Apple's device but each cost hundreds of euros less.

1. Samsung Galaxy S9

The Galaxy S9 and larger Galaxy S9 Plus are among the most popular smartphones of the moment and that is understandable. The devices have a modern design and a front-filling screen with curved edges. The razor-sharp OLED display is large (5.8 and 6.2 inches) and shows excellent colors.

The S9 (Plus) runs on a fast processor from Samsung with 4GB or 6GB RAM and 64GB storage memory. The latter can be expanded with a micro SD card. The S9 shoots photos with one camera, the S9 Plus has two on the back.

The battery life of the Galaxy S9 (Plus) is fine and the device has features that the iPhone XS is missing. A 3.5mm headphone jack, a fingerprint scanner and an nfc chip that supports contactless payment, for example. The Samsung phones run on Android 8.1 (Oreo) and get an update to Android Pie in the coming months .

The main difference is of course the price. The Galaxy S9, one of the most popular and best Android smartphones of the moment, at many stores already for about 600 euros to find. That is only half of what you pay for the iPhone XS. That while the two devices barely differ in terms of performance.

2. OnePlus 6

Smartphones from OnePlus have been popular for years because of their competitive price-quality ratio. In terms of specifications and user experience, OnePlus models do little for handsets that cost hundreds of euros more. The OnePlus 6 is admittedly the most expensive phone of the brand so far, with a starting price of 519 euros it is still cheaper than the competition. With its glass design and large and front-filling (6.3 inch) OLED screen, the OnePlus 6 looks as luxurious as (much) more expensive phones.

The entry model has 6GB memory and 64GB storage memory, more expensive variants have 8GB and 128GB or 256GB work and storage memory. All models run on a fast Snapdragon 845 processor and have a large 3300 mAh battery. On the back is a double camera with portrait mode.

The OnePlus 6 is equipped with Android 8.1 (Oreo) with minimal adjustments from the manufacturer. An Android 9.0 (Pie) beta is currently being tested. The stable software update has to come out quickly, which makes it likely that the OnePlus 6 will become one of the first smartphones with this new Android version.

3. Huawei P20 Pro

The Huawei P20 Pro is also a beautiful Android alternative. The phone has a beautiful glass case with a large (6.1 inch) screen that occupies almost the entire front. The OLED display has a full HD resolution and a notch on the top. In contrast to the iPhone XS, a fingerprint scanner is available on the Huawei smartphone. The hardware of the P20 Pro is impressive: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage memory with micro SD support and a fast Kirin 970 chipset.

The battery life of the device is also impressive. The 4000 mAh battery goes without worrying for a day and a half and charging is fast via the USB-C connection. The Huawei P20 Pro runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo) with the EMUI software dispute.

There are no fewer than three cameras on the back of the phone. There is a primary camera of no less than 40 megapixel, supplemented by a 20 megapixel camera that shoots monochrome images. Those images are combined for sharper pictures. In addition, there is an 8 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom, so you can zoom in without loss of quality. Experts call the P20 Pro camera one of the best smartphone cameras of the moment. In most independent tests, the P20 Pro camera knows how to exceed the iPhone XS.

Share this post