Galaxy Note 7 Alternatives That Are Even Better And Cheaper

Why lament over Samsung’s catastrophic Galaxy Note 7 if you can snag another Android smartphone that’s even better and cheaper?

Were you one of the people inconvenienced by Samsung when they recalled all their Galaxy Note 7 units? Were you denied boarding your scheduled flight because you refused to turn in your Galaxy Note 7, which is now banned from all U.S. and Canadian aircraft? Or worse, did you witness, first-hand, your brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 unit catching on fire while you left it charging?

Well, we forgive you; you didn’t know better. No one did, actually. We were all captured by the beautiful new Galaxy Note 7 that Samsung lured us with, not knowing it would bite us back in the end. So if you did turn over your Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (if you haven’t, better do so now) or you’ve almost purchased one, then you might want to consider these other Android smartphones, which can even outdo some of the Galaxy Note 7’s features, and for a far better price, too. But of course, if you’re just going to pick up the new iPhone 7 Plus instead, by all means, do so.

If you have been a fan of the Google Cardboard, then wait until you see Google’s new techie toy, the Google Pixel XL. If you don’t mind the 0.2 inches you’ll miss from the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, then you might take delight in this 5.5-inch Android smartphone. In fact, you’ll find that display is a little bit crisper since the display area is a bit smaller than that of the Galaxy Note 7’s.

In terms of a camera, you’re in for a treat. CNet reports that the Google Pixel XL’s 12.3 MP is a real winner. Camera-testing website DxOMark gave the Google Pixel XL’s camera a score of 89, the highest rating a smartphone camera has ever received. Apparently, one of the factors that really stood out is the camera’s outstanding Autofocus feature, which is extremely fast and accurate.

The Google Pixel XL also runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, making it not only Google’s very first smartphone, but the very first to be compatible with Google’s new virtual reality system, Daydream. Forbes notes that the Google Pixel XL also promises a seven-hour battery life with just 15 minutes of charging time, although this, of course, will vary with continued usage.

Although we did promise you a better price, the Google Pixel XL is not really a much cheaper alternative to the Galaxy Note 7. With its impeccable specs making this smartphone a premium phone to watch, setting you back $769 for the 32GB model is a fair price to pay. Wondering what’s the release date for the Google Pixel XL? The Google Pixel XL will be available in stores October 20.

Another 5.5-inch smartphone that can easily bully the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is the Huawei P9 Plus, which is Huawei’s finest creation yet. Pocket-Lint played with the Huawei P9 Plus, and they’re returning with smiles on their faces. Packed with a Kirin 955 processor and a generous 4 GB RAM, you won’t need to worry about performance issues and data processing. And what’s more interesting is that despite its powerful core, the Huawei P9 Plus can run for two straight days on a single charge on normal usage.

In terms of camera, because everyone these days are just so obsessed with the camera, the Huawei P9 Plus comes strong and fierce. Fitted with a powerful Leica lens and offering an array of shooting modes, you’ll never go wrong with this one.

Sold yet? Well, getting the Huawei P9 Plus will save you $200 from getting the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, so that’s a pretty good bargain given the top-notch features and performance the Huawei P9 Plus delivers.

Another interesting unit that has been lurking in the shadows for a while now is the OnePlus 3. Also sporting a large 5.5-inch screen, a 1080p AMOLED display, and a whopping 6 GB RAM, the OnePlus 3 is a real smooth talker in terms of display and performance. According to Engadget, it comes with a customized OxygenOS, which provides a wide variety of customization and options that a real nit-picker will appreciate.

While the camera of the OnePlus 3 won’t completely overpower that of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7’s, it’s a pretty decent player at 16 MP. With optimum image stabilization and excellent phase-detection autofocus, you can’t really complain.

It’s pretty, it’s powerful, and most of all, it’s cheap. At $399, the OnePlus 3 will definitely deliver that bang for your buck.

Are you considering these Galaxy Note 7 alternatives or will you stick around and wait for a new Samsung flagship that will supposedly knock your socks off?

[Featured Image by I AM NIKOM/Shutterstock]