Apple’s iPhone 16 has arrived, 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 while, but it closes the gap between the base and Pro models even further.
Which is to say, the iPhone 16 is a fantastic phone, but if you’re thinking of getting it as your next smartphone purchase, you should also consider some of these alternatives.
iPhone 16Plus
You may be considering the regular iPhone 16 as it is the most affordable of the new models. But for a little more, you could also look at the iPhone 16 Plus, as long as you’re okay with a bigger phone.
The iPhone 16 Plus has the same features as the iPhone 16: bright and fun colors, the Action button, Camera Control, Dynamic Island, the A18 chip with 8GB RAM for Apple Intelligence, a 48MP Fusion camera and improved 12MP ultrawide lens, macro photography, spatial photos and video for the Apple Vision Pro, and more.
So why should you buy the iPhone 16 Plus instead of the iPhone 16? Firstly, the larger size means a bigger screen on which to see all your content. It means less scrolling and it’s easier to enjoy videos and games. The larger size also means longer battery life, as the iPhone 16 Plus has a 4,674 mAh battery, compared to the iPhone 16’s 3,561 mAh. If you don’t always have a charger nearby, this larger battery can make all the difference.
iPhone 16 Pro
Maybe you’re considering the iPhone 16 because of its smaller size and don’t want a big phone. That’s fine too! But what if you want better features?
Again, Apple has certainly closed the gap between the base and Pro models more than ever this year. Features available only once on the Pro models are now available on the base iPhone. The iPhone 16 has the Dynamic Island, Action button, Camera controls, 48 MP Fusion camera and Apple Intelligence.
However, the iPhone 16 Pro has even more to offer. Firstly, the screen features 120Hz ProMotion technology, which means smoother scrolling and animations without any stuttering. It also has the Always On Display, a feature that allows you to see the date and time, widgets and any notifications even when you are not using the phone.
For photographers, the iPhone 16 Pro also has a triple-lens camera system, including a 48MP primary camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. The ultra-wide camera is a big leap from the 12MP on the base model, and does better in low-light scenes. The telephoto allows you to get close to your subject from a distance.
The iPhone 16 Pro also comes with up to 1TB of storage, which is a must if you plan on taking a lot of photos and videos or downloading a lot of content (apps, games, music, etc.). You’ll pay $200 more for the iPhone 16 Pro compared to the base iPhone 16, but if you want the best display and cameras on an iPhone, the extra money is well spent.
Google Pixel9
If you’re looking at the iPhone 16 based on its size and price, you should also consider the Google Pixel 9. This is the base model of Google’s Pixel 9 series and is very similar, if not better, than the iPhone 16. Of course, you’ll have to move to Android, but if that’s okay with you, the Pixel 9 is a fantastic choice.
The Google Pixel 9 is a smidge larger than the 6.1-inch iPhone 16, because it has a 6.3-inch display. The screen is better too, being an Actua OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is double what you get on the iPhone 16 (60Hz). Brightness can also reach 2700 nits, while the iPhone 16 only manages 2000 nits, making the Pixel 9 more usable outdoors in direct sunlight.
The Pixel 9 also comes with Google’s Tensor G4 chip and 12 GB of RAM, which is enough for Google’s AI-powered tools enabled with Gemini. The Tensor G4 is also quite energy efficient, and with a 4,700 mAh battery it should be lasts all day without having to worry about plugging it in.
Even the cameras are more impressive in terms of specs. You have a 50MP primary camera and a 48MP ultrawide lens. Unfortunately, Apple only put the 48MP ultrawide on the iPhone 16 Pro models. And with Google Gemini, there are plenty of AI photo editing tools that can help you clean up the shot.
Not everyone will be willing to make the jump from iOS to Android, but if they are, the Google Pixel 9 is a fantastic little phone for the exact same price as the iPhone 16.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Even though the Samsung Galaxy S25 is just around the corner, the Galaxy S24 is still a fantastic phone, especially if you prefer compact devices.
The Galaxy S24 is the base model of the S24 series, but it still has plenty of power. The 6.2-inch AMOLED display looks fantastic, has a 120Hz refresh rate and reaches peak brightness up to 2,600 nits, already beating the iPhone 16 in that regard.
The S24 houses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, which is specially optimized for Galaxy devices. It also has 8GB of RAM, similar to the iPhone 16. With Android 14 and One UI 6.1, using the Galaxy S24 is a very smooth experience, and the Galaxy AI tools are nice to have.
Samsung gave the Galaxy S24 a triple-lens camera system, which is also better than the iPhone 16’s dual camera setup. You’ve got a 50MP primary camera, a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 120 degree field of view (FOV). Although Samsung devices often have highly saturated colors, the cameras on the S24 can still take some very nice photos. Add to that excellent battery life and you get another fantastic iPhone 16 alternative.
OnePlus 12
If you don’t mind going for Android And if you have a larger phone, then the OnePlus 12 is another great alternative – especially considering the price. It’s simply one of the best phones out there if you want the most bang for your buck.
The OnePlus 12 has a large 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and can reach a maximum brightness of 4500 nits – yes, you read that right – 4500 nits. The only downside is that the screen is curved around the edges, which can lead to accidental touches and gestures if you’re not careful, but that’s something you just have to get used to.
The OnePlus 12 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip inside, along with 12GB or 16GB of RAM depending on your storage configuration (up to 512GB). Not enough RAM for you? You can then expand the free storage space to virtual RAM for even more power. It might be overkill for most people, but if you want to multitask and use split screen mode, or even use Open Canvas in Android 15, you’ll appreciate that extra RAM.
You also get one of the best camera systems on a mobile phone. The OnePlus 12 has a triple-lens camera system with a 50MP primary camera, a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view. Even the selfie camera is an impressive 32 MP. And you get Hasselblad color tuning for improved color, balance and clarity.
OnePlus also impresses with battery life and charging. The 5,400 mAh battery can easily last a day and a half, depending on use. Charging is also very fast: 80W wired in the US (100W worldwide) and 50W wireless charging.
The OnePlus 12 also comes in unique colors, such as Flowy Emerald. The best part? You can get all this starting at $800. The OnePlus 12 is still one of the best smartphones of 2024, and even though we expect the OnePlus 13 to arrive soon, the OnePlus 12 remains a fantastic purchase.
