The best Android alternatives and clones for iPhone 7
Not everyone loves the iPhone, but we do have to admit Apple has been very successful in designing these devices. If only you could install Android on them! Fortunately, there are some smartphones available with similar designs that could be considered as alternatives to the iPhone. Here are some of the best alternatives to and clones of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus.
For a long time now, Apple has dominated the high-end smartphone market. Happily, those days are now finally over. But there are some Android users who still secretly dream of owning an iPhone 7! When we consider alternatives for the iPhone, we naturally think of poor quality Chinese copies made from plastic and glue that will melt in the sun. Luckily, there are good alternatives with prices that rival their competitors while still providing good quality. These are all Android devices, and they all come from reputable manufacturers!
As a side note: not all these phones are available, as copyright restrictions mean they cannot be sold in some countries. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible for you to get your hands on them though. One of the main issues in this respect is compatibility with local mobile networks, so you should definitely do your research on these devices. Mid and top range Chinese smartphones are usually available on GSM frequency bands 850/900/1800/1900. As for 4G networks, things are a little more complicated. Some operators use 4G networks on frequencies between 1800MHz and 2600 MHz, the same as those used in China. As a result, they may not be easily transferred to other regions.
The best alternatives to the iPhone 7 Plus
Huawei Mate 9: this season’s shining star
Successor to the excellent Mate 8, the Huawei Mate 9 is a 5.9-inch phablet with dimensions that are almost identical to the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus. Although it weighs 190 grams (2 grams more than the iPhone), its battery is almost a third bigger with 400 mAh. The phone offers everything that a top range smartphone should in 2016.
In our Huawei Mate 9 test, the Huawei smartphone proved that it was a real winner. It's perfect for those that are looking for the best alternative to the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus (as the mobile software is reminiscent of the iOS). Advantage: it's less expensive (699 euros)!
OnePlus 3/3T: the rising star
After the Huawei Mate 9, it’s worth mentioning a rising star, the OnePlus, which is seeking to position itself as a less expensive alternative to the iPhone. With a more modern, fresher design than the iPhone, the OnePlus 3 has everything that it takes to be a worthy competitor. It has a high-quality aluminum casing and comes equipped with a fast charging facility.
Technically, the OnePlus 3 has everything it needs to be among the current top-range smartphones on the market. It has a 5.5-inch Full-HD screen, and its Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 8 core processor is one of the fastest on the market. The OnePlus 3 is available at a much more attractive price than the iPhone 7 Plus and is an excellent alternative.
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: the Android smartphone recommendation
This Samsung gem is similar to the iPhone 7 in some aspects but we aren’t saying that it’s a clone. We are talking about an excellent mobile that can easily compete with the iPhone, with a beautifully curved display on both sides.
The 5.5 inch QHD screen has a 1440 x 2560-pixel resolution. With its 7.7mm density, it’s also among the thinnest smartphones around despite the 12-megapixel camera. The processor is an 8 core Exynos 8890 supported by 6 GB of RAM, and is powered by a 3600 mAh battery. The internal memory is 32GB with a microSD card port, an advantage that the iPhone 7 doesn’t offer - and it comes at a lower price.
LG V20: a different breed
The LG V20 is the best smartphone for audiophiles. It supports lossless formats like FLAC, and has a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC ES9218 Sabre component from ESS Technology.
With its dual screen and removable battery, it is also a truly unique offering in the current smartphone market, without being too eccentric.
Others
Other phones also deserve to be on the list, but these are not necessarily widely available (Google Pixel XL) or up to date (Nexus 6P).
The best alternatives to the iPhone 7
Samsung Galaxy S7: the biggest rival
This year, Samsung outdid themselves and offered us an excellent iPhone killer. The Galaxy S7’s hardware design is uncompromising and the price (at least that of the S7 edge) is on a par with the Apple products.
We can accuse Samsung of eclecticism, especially upon reading our comparison of the two smartphones.
With the fingerprint scanner and the aluminum casing, Samsung offers us features that easily rival the products in the Cupertino firm’s latest generation. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is currently the best top-range alternative to the iPhone 7, selling for 550 euros (or perhaps less) for the 32GB version.
Huawei P9: the Chinese alternative
Huawei didn’t want to enter their Honor subsidiary into the race against the other iPhone alternatives. The phones from the main brand, particularly the P9, can also be considered worthy rivals to Apple.
Its interface is very similar to the iOS, but the updates have been slow to arrive. Huawei P9’s dual camera is the phone’s main advantage, as well its sleek, elegant design.
HTC One A9s: the clone
One of the latest smartphones from HTC, the One A9s looks almost identical to the iPhone 7 from the outside. HTC talks about the natural design evolution of the HTC One M7, One M8 and of course the One A9. As the iPhone 6, 6s and 7 were released well before the A9s, it makes it difficult to believe that HTC ran with their own inspiration for the design.
No, it’s not an iPhone 7! You didn’t see the HTC logo!
If you look closer at the HTC One A9s, you’ll discover many little things that Apple’s products don’t have and that had been implemented differently by HTC. In addition to the polished front panel and the brushed metal back panel, the HTC One A9 runs Android Marshmallow, offers a 5.2-inch screen and has a microSD card port.
As far as pricing is concerned, the One A9s is less expensive than the iPhone 7 by more than 100 euros (299 euros). For those who are looking for an iPhone 7 clone, the One A9s is ideal. It will be released in November.
Google Pixel: the best Android experience
The smartphones that put an end to the Nexus line, the Pixel and Pixel XL, make great alternatives to the iPhone. The Pixel has a 5-inch display and an elegant metal and glass design.
The Pixel also comes with Android 7.1 Nougat, meaning it has the latest and greatest software, which is must have in order to compete with the iPhone.
LG G5, HTC 10, Google Pixel…
Other smartphones can also compete with the iPhone 7, such as the LG G5 or the HTC 10.
What are the best alternatives to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, in your opinion? Tell us in the comments.
Android has no substitute for the iPhone any more than the Note series has a substitute.
the galaxy s7 edge has 4GB of ram not 6