5 cellphone manufacturers you can purchase as an alternative of Samsung

Samsung is the largest smartphone producer on the planet, and for good purpose. It has a worldwide attain by means of varied distribution channels, presents nice telephones at nearly each value level, and guarantees long-term software program assist for many of its handsets. Through the years, it has additionally positioned its model as dependable, reliable, and to a degree, even premium, convincing folks to half with their cash.

Nevertheless, no firm is ideal. Samsung telephones are typically among the many costliest in the marketplace, their flagship collection falls behind a few of its rivals with regards to options like quick charging, and pushing out the most recent software program updates typically takes extra time than we’d like. Pair that with varied points through the years, together with the notorious Be aware 7 fiasco, and it’s comprehensible why some shoppers would relatively keep away.

But when not Samsung, then which model must you purchase and why? What does every one supply that Samsung doesn’t, and the place does it fall quick? Let’s check out 5 manufacturers I like to recommend in the event you’re on the lookout for a Samsung various.

As somebody who has been a Pixel consumer for years, Google’s telephones are the primary various I like to recommend. There are a couple of key causes for this, together with a prolonged seven-year software program assist promise, distinctive AI-powered options, and quick software program updates. Pixels get the most recent model of Android on day one, whereas Samsung customers typically have to attend months for a similar replace.

The software program can also be cleaner and comes with much less bloatware — an issue that’s solely getting greater on Samsung gadgets. The high-end Pixel 10 collection can rival Samsung’s Galaxy S25 telephones on nearly any degree, and there’s additionally the Pixel 9a, which is arguably the most effective cellphone you may get for round $500. No matter which you select, you’ll be able to anticipate a unbelievable digital camera expertise, one thing Pixels have all the time been identified for.

There are downsides to the Pixel lineup, in fact. The number of telephones is proscribed in comparison with what Samsung has on supply. The newest Pixel lineup consists of only a handful of gadgets, with the most affordable one costing $500. If you’d like extra choices, particularly within the finances class, Pixel will not be the cellphone model for you.

I used to be a OnePlus consumer for years, having purchased and used three of their telephones. Whereas the model doesn’t have the identical enchantment to me personally anymore, that doesn’t imply it doesn’t have nice telephones on supply.

One of many essential advantages of switching to OnePlus is the cash you’ll save, as its telephones are typically cheaper than Samsung’s. For instance, the OnePlus 13 launched at round $900, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely begins at $1,300. Regardless of the worth disparity, you continue to get a lot quicker charging on the OnePlus, which is without doubt one of the options I all the time loved. You may get it from 0 to 100% in about half-hour, whereas the S25 Extremely wants round an hour.

Pricing and charging are simply two advantages. Most OnePlus gadgets include an Alert Slider on the aspect, permitting you to change your cellphone to silent or vibrate mode shortly. I used this function on a regular basis and dearly miss it on my Pixel. The software program — OxygenOS — can also be good, with distinctive options like the flexibility to carry out a job, like opening an app or turning on the flashlight, with a easy gesture on the display screen whereas it’s turned off.

Relating to cons, software program updates are the largest one. OnePlus’ high-end telephones get simply 4 years of OS updates in comparison with the seven you get with Samsung’s premium handsets. The cameras are normally a step behind what Samsung presents, and in my expertise, there’s a barely greater likelihood of encountering a {hardware} challenge. The corporate can also be primarily based in China, which can be a priority for some because of privateness concerns.

Motorola isn’t as in style because it as soon as was, but it surely’s an amazing Samsung various, particularly at sure value factors. Its G-series telephones supply unbelievable worth for cash, and you may select between gadgets just like the G Energy (2025), which is all about battery life, the G Stylus (2025), which comes with a built-in stylus, and plenty of others.

Then there are its foldables. For those who just like the clamshell design of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 however discover it too costly, Motorola has a compelling possibility. It’s known as the Motorola Razr (2025), and it’s an reasonably priced foldable that launched for a number of hundred {dollars} lower than Samsung’s equal. The software program expertise on all Motorola telephones can also be a serious plus, because it’s very clear and near the inventory Android discovered on Pixel telephones.

Nevertheless, the software program replace promise is much from nice. You stand up to 5 years of updates on only some choose telephones, whereas the remaining should make do with three or fewer. For those who usually exchange your cellphone inside that timeframe, it’s much less of a difficulty, however you’ll get caught on an outdated Android model in the event you plan to make use of it for longer. Moreover, if a top-tier digital camera expertise is what you’re after, Samsung nonetheless presents extra in that division.

Sony is an fascinating model which will enchantment to a particular sort of consumer. What units it aside is that lots of its telephones nonetheless embrace a headphone jack and a microSD card slot — two options which might be roughly non-existent on flagship telephones from Samsung, Google, and different main manufacturers.

Sony’s telephones, just like the high-end Xperia 1 VII, additionally sport a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a devoted bodily digital camera shutter button. The software program expertise is slick and quick, Sony’s construct high quality and designs are glorious, and the video high quality on its flagships is among the many greatest within the business.

Nevertheless, there are points to concentrate on that restrict Sony’s mainstream enchantment. The software program promise will not be nice, with the corporate’s flagships solely getting 4 main Android upgrades. The digital camera system, notably for nonetheless pictures, isn’t as point-and-shoot-friendly as rivals, requiring extra handbook tweaking to get the most effective outcomes. The lineup can also be fairly restricted, and the telephones are typically on the costly aspect. Nonetheless, many are prepared to miss these points for the advantages of a headphone jack and expandable storage.

Nothing was co-founded by the identical man who co-founded OnePlus, so it’s no shock that the 2 manufacturers have lots in frequent. This features a clear, bloat-free software program expertise and a value level that typically undercuts Samsung.

The model targets a youthful crowd at first, as evident by its design language that positively stands out. It’s a far cry from the straightforward strains we’re used to from Samsung, with telephones that includes the “Glyph Interface” on the again — a collection of customizable LED mild strips that can be utilized for notifications, charging standing, and extra — or the newer Glyph Matrix, which is a monochrome micro-LED show.

As with most different manufacturers on this listing, software program updates are a little bit of a difficulty. Essentially the most you’ll get is 5 years of OS updates, which is lower than what Samsung and Google supply. The distinctive design may additionally scare some folks away, and the model remains to be not as acknowledged as Samsung and even OnePlus. However in the event you’re up for one thing completely different that gained’t break the financial institution, Nothing is price contemplating.

These are 5 of the most effective manufacturers to have a look at in the event you’re not a Samsung fan, though there are many others on the market. Xiaomi, for instance, is the third-biggest producer on the planet, and it has a smartphone that matches nearly any finances. I didn’t embrace it right here because it’s not formally out there within the US. Nonetheless, its telephones are reasonably priced, highly effective, and an amazing possibility in the event you dwell elsewhere — although its software program expertise leaves lots to be desired.

Did I miss a model that you just assume deserves a spot on this listing? Let me know within the feedback.