Although there are countless smartphones on the market, the options are split between the two main operating systems; iOS and Android. iPhones run on iOS, while virtually every other flagship device will run on Android.

With so much excitement around every new iPhone release, it can sometimes feel like they are the only option, but there is a wide world of Android smartphones to explore.

A whole new challenge is presented when choosing an Android phone; which brand do you opt for and which devices make the best iPhone alternatives?

Our Android guide runs through your options and gives you some ideas for your next phone if Apple just isn’t for you!

Here at Second-Hand Phones, we stock a wide variety of reconditioned phones that run on the Android OS. If you’re looking for an upgrade, check out our phones which offer great value for money.

• Why Choose an Android Phone Over an iPhone?

• The Top Brands For Android Smartphones

• The Best iPhone Alternatives

Why Choose an Android Phone Over an iPhone?

On a functional level, there is little that Androids can do that iPhones can’t and vice versa, but there are various reasons why Android smartphones might be preferable.

Some people simply prefer the experience of using Android over iOS, and that can be reason enough to disregard the iPhone.

Android Phones Offer More Options

Unlike iPhones that are made exclusively by Apple, smartphones that run on Android are available from numerous brands.

With an iPhone, you are limited to a singular range. However, with the many brands releasing Android phones every year, there is a far wider pool of devices to compare and contrast until you find the right one for you.

Android Phones Offer Better Prices

With a wider variety of phones to choose from, there also comes a wider range of prices. Android phones are sold at every price, including budget options, whereas new Apple handsets will often be some of the most expensive on the market.

Companies that sell Android phones give users more options; if a cheap, less advanced phone is what you’re looking for, Android phones can deliver, along with pricier, more advanced devices.

Android Phones Offer Customisation

Historically, Android has been the better platform for users who want to customise their smartphone experience. This includes the personalisation of the home screen launcher with the ability to move and edit apps – a function that iPhone’s are only now rolling out and starting to catch up with.

Android also lets users replace default core services with third-party instalments to give a more personalised experience.

The Top Brands For Android Smartphones

As there are so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Some of the top brands that constantly produce high-quality Android devices include:

• Samsung

• Google

• Huawei

• Oppo

• Sony

• OnePlus

• Nokia

• Motorola

The Best iPhone Alternatives

What are the specific Android models that make great iPhone alternatives? Check out some of our favourites below!

Google Pixel 4a

Upon its release, Google’s Pixel 4a was dubbed ‘Google’s affordable phone of the year’. However, despite its reduced price, it comes with some key updates and a more modern design than its predecessor, making it an affordable but high-quality smartphone experience!

Performance

With an enhanced processor and better memory, the 4a offers brilliant performance and increased overall speed. It will give you a seamless and lag-free experience.

The 4a is fully integrated into the Google ecosystem and includes features like Google Assistant for increased convenience and functionality.

Screen

The screen, measuring at 5.8 inches, has a more sleek and modern aspect that is on par with the iPhone’s famously stylish look.

Camera Quality

The 4a has a single back and front camera; while some may worry that the single-camera design limits the flexibility that comes with multiple cameras, the actual quality of the 12 MP camera is brilliant. Reviewers have singled out the 4a’s camera as one of its greatest assets.

Other enticing features include optical and electronic image stabilisation on the back camera with fixed focus, and an 84-degree field-of-view on the front.

Samsung Galaxy A90

For years, Samsung has been the go-to brand for smartphone users who don’t want an iPhone.

Known for their high-end specs, the Galaxy range has continually pushed the technological boundaries, providing crisper visuals, better cameras and stronger performance with each model.

One such example is the A90, a futuristic phone which offers excellent power!

5G Capabilities

The big selling point of the A90 is that it’s ‘5G-ready’, meaning it can connect to the 5G mobile network. With 5G being rolled out in major cities across the world, this feature will appeal to people in these locations.

Premium Design

Those seeking a ‘top of the range’ device will be pleased by the look and feel of the Galaxy A90. With a glass front and back, the phone has a glossy, robust finish which doesn’t look out of place alongside the latest smartphones.

Screen

The screen also provides this high-end feel. Measuring in at 6.7 inches, the Super AMOLED screen offers visuals that are in keeping with the device’s luxury finish.

Triple Camera

Unlike the Pixel 4a, the Samsung Galaxy A90 comes with a triple-lens rear camera. To keep the overall price down, however, the camera quality has been reduced, especially compared to other high-end models.

While the triple-lens rear camera isn’t quite as high-end as the rest of the phone, it will be enough for those who are only looking to take the occasional snap to share with friends.

The phone does also come with a good-quality 32MP selfie camera.

Huawei P40 Pro

One of the biggest climbers in the world of smartphones over the last few years has undoubtedly been Huawei. From relative obscurity, their quality devices have launched them into the same circles as Samsung and Apple when it comes to delivering a cutting-edge experience.

With the P40 Pro, Huawei continues its tradition of delivering incredible hardware, including their signature camera.

An Unbeatable Camera

Whenever talking about a modern Huawei device, the first thing to shout about is its camera. Yet again, Huawei has delivered a stunning setup that is almost unrivalled across all mobile devices.

Designed by German camera company Leica, the Huawei P40 Pro comes with a quad-camera setup on the rear, delivering incredible picture quality. Ultra-wide, 5X optical zoom and ToF sensor features mean no photo is off limits!

The Huawei P40 Pro also has a 32MP selfie camera with IR sensor for face unlocking, a must on any high-end smartphone.

Design

The glass body and aluminium frame give this phone a luxurious feel, while its smooth design is great to hold and looks impressive from every angle!

The Huawei P40 Pro has a 6.58-inch OLED display that all-but covers the front of the device. The screen has a resolution of 1200 x 2640 pixels, which is slightly below other flagship devices but still delivers stunning visuals.

Performance

As with its externals, the Huawei P40 Pro has all the internal features to keep up with the best phones on the market. The Kirin 990 chipset is partnered with 8GB of RAM, making this phone more than powerful enough to handle multiple apps or the latest games on-the-go.

Oppo Find X2 Pro

Like Huawei, Oppo is a Chinese brand that is rising in the ranks of smartphone sellers. No longer producing ‘flagship killers’ but becoming the flagship models themselves, Oppo consistently delivers high-end devices to rival others on the market.

As a pro model, the Oppo Find X2 Pro comes with a hefty price tag. It is, however, cheaper than the iPhone 11 Pro Max (based on new price at the time of writing) while still offering some impressive specifications.

Performance

The handset packs a genuine punch when it comes to performance, stocking the Snapdragon 865 chipset while running on Android 10.0. The 12GB of RAM is plenty for carrying out everyday tasks and tackles online games with ease.

The 512GB of internal storage is among the highest available in consumer devices, although there isn’t an option to expand with external memory, which may put off some people. That being said, 512GB is a lot of space, so you’d need to work hard to fill this capacity!

Screen and Display

The stunning 6.7-inch screen offers a 120hz display refresh rate, providing a super-smooth user experience as you glide through the menus.

The display offers a 1440 x 3168-pixel resolution which translates to a 513 ppi pixel density. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, the phone is also IP68-rated so it’s dust and water-resistant, as you’d expect from any modern device.

Camera

The 48MP primary shooter does a good job of capturing day-to-day shots, showing very strong colours and good contrasts between dark and light areas. Zooming is also not a problem with the 13MP telephoto lens.

The front-facing camera offers 32MP and includes ‘Ultra Night Mode’ which allows users to capture excellent-quality selfies even in low light.

As you can see from this small selection of iPhone alternatives, there are a wide variety of Android smartphones to rival the popularity and functionality of Apple’s devices.

Whether you’re looking for a top flagship model with all the latest technology, or something more understated with a lower price tag, Android phones have got a lot to offer.

Time for a new phone? Check out our range of reconditioned Android devices right here at Second-Hand Phones!