The latest iPhone 8 Plus is one of the three flagship smartphones that Apple has to offer this year, and it definitely has a hardware punch. After all, the smartphone is powered by the A11 Bionic chip, which is simply the most powerful chip we've ever seen on a smartphone, and thanks to the improved sensor, it is capable of producing much better results than its predecessor. Well, it even includes new features like wireless charging and fast charging, which is a first for any iPhone. However, this time there was not much excitement around the launch of the iPhone 8 Plus because most people do not even care to queue in front of Apple stores across the US . This is mainly due to the fact that the smartphone packs an aging design that the company uses for nearly four years, starting with the iPhone 6 Plus. In a year of smartphones without bezel, the iPhone 8 Plus still carries a big chin and forehead, which is disappointing to say the least. As a result, people are forced to look for other options. If you are one of them, take a look at the 8 best alternatives to the iPhone 8 Plus.
8 best alternatives to the iPhone 8 more
8. Apple iPhone X
Apart from the reasons why we discussed above for the lack of enthusiasm surrounding the new iPhone 8 Plus, the unveiling of the iPhone X radically redesigned is yet another major reason. To begin with, it is the first iPhone equipped with a screen without bezel and it actually looks like a smartphone from 2017, so we realize everything there is to do. The iPhone X managed to steal the projectors of the iPhone 8 Plus immediately after Apple called it "the future of the smartphone." That being said, the iPhone X has a brand new OLED screen of 5.8 inches, which is a first for any iPhone. The screen has received a bump resolution, and it now stands at 2436 x 1125 pixels, which might not be as much as what the competition has to offer, but still an improvement nonetheless. Under the hood, it is powered by the Aion Bionic chip coupled with 3 GB of RAM, just like its less exciting brother.
The new iPhone X had to sacrifice the home button, which housed the very popular Touch ID fingerprint scanner to get a design without a bezel. Although this could be disappointing for many, the company has introduced a revolutionary security measure called Face ID that uses the TrueDepth camera system of the phone and infrared sensors to accurately identify your face to unlock your phone even if you are in the dark. It houses a similar configuration of 12MP dual camera like the iPhone 8 Plus, but the telephoto lens used here has an aperture of f / 2.4 rather than f / 2.8. Nevertheless, you should be able to take breathtaking photos with the iPhone X. With the TrueDepth camera system, the secondary 7 MP camera with f / 2.2 aperture will also be able to take photographs Portrait with a shallow depth of field , just like the rear camera. Finally, the next iPhone X should pack a 2716 mAh battery that should be good enough to last all day under moderate use, mainly due to the energy-efficient processor and optimization of iOS 11.
7. Google Pixel 2 XL
Google's flagship products are the perfect solution if you want to experience the best Android experience possible. The new Pixel 2 XL that was announced at the "Made by Google" event of the previous month is no exception in this regard, as it provides ready-to-use Android 8.0 Oreo actions. The Pixel 2 XL has a 6-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2880 pixels, which is significantly better than what the iPhone 8 Plus has to offer. In terms of performance, the device is not left behind because it is powered by the high-end Snapdragon 835 chip from Qualcomm coupled with 4 GB of RAM that should be able to handle everything you throw at it.
Although the process is significantly lower than that of the Aion Bionic chip on the iPhone 8 Plus, the Pixel 2 XL completely outperforms the Apple headlight in the camera department, although it does not have a double camera configuration. If the DxOMark benchmarks are taken into account, the 12.2 MP f / 1.8 camera of the Pixel 2 XL is the highest camera ever evaluated with a score of 98 . In comparison, the iPhone 8 Plus and the Galaxy Note 8 dual camera received a score of 94. The front side camera is rated at 8 MP with an aperture f / 2.4 which allows you to take super selfies with your friends. With the tricks of the software, Google is able to bring the bokeh effect to the camera selfie, which is quite an achievement to be honest. Finally, the 3520 mAh battery is good enough to last you throughout the day, even under heavy use, so there is no worry in this regard.
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
This could very well be Sammy's year as their two flagship smartphones have garnered positive reviews across the globe from critics and users alike. The South Korean giant managed to come back strongly after the debacle Note 7 last year. The new Galaxy Note 8 boasts a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels for all the eye candies you'll need. The screen curves around the edges to give it a clean appearance without a bezel, giving it an aging look in front of the iPhone 8 Plus. Below this sleek chassis, Note 8 boasts a powerful Snapdragon 835 chip, as well as several other Android flagships released this year, and it is associated with 6 GB of RAM exceptional multitasking performance.
There are also significant improvements in the camera department. In fact, the Galaxy Note 8 is the company's first smartphone to offer a dual camera configuration. The main camera is the double-12 MP configuration, where the primary lens has an aperture f / 1.7 and the secondary telephoto lens has a f / 2.4. The low-light performance of this camera is exceptional to say the least and this is certainly one of the best on the market. The 8 MP front camera also has an aperture f / 1.7 which allows you to take selfies that stand out from the rest of the competition. Regarding the battery life, the company has played safely by opting for a 3300 mAh battery compared to its predecessor, but it is still good enough to last you all day under moderate use, so this is not the department you should be very concerned about.
5. LG V30
The LG V30 is the next best flagship product in this list that you can use, instead of the new iPhone 8 Plus. This one has all the potential to end up as the best Android smartphone of this year in terms of hardware and features. The camera is simply a pleasure to hold and watch, credits to the curved design of glass and premium metal. The P-OLED screen of 6 inches of the V30 with a resolution of 2880 x 1440 pixels is a dream to look at, and the panel looks pretty similar to the Pixel 2 XL. You will not be disappointed in its performance either because it is powered by the advanced Snapdragon 835 chip coupled with 4 GB of RAM to handle almost everything you throw on it.
The LG V30 uses its two-camera configuration in a totally different way than the iPhone 8 Plus or the Galaxy Note 8. The camera is equipped with a dual 16 MP + 13 MP camera, consisting of standard cameras and wide-angle lens . The main lens has an advanced f / 1.6 aperture in the industry that has all the potential to establish the benchmark in low light smartphone photography. The secondary lens can capture some super-wide shots that I personally love to use. The 5 MP secondary front camera may not have the megapixel number, but it still manages to get decent work by taking selfies with your friends. The battery on the LG V30 is rated at 3300 mAh which is enough to last all day under moderate use, so we have no complaints here.
4. Samsung Galaxy S8
If you do not want to opt for the Samsung phablet, the compact Galaxy S8 will definitely be a much better option. Well, the smartphone has most of the goodies that Note 8 has to offer, and it will also help you save a piece of money. With rounded corners and curved edges, this smartphone without bezel is definitely one of the best smartphones of this year in terms of design and appearance. The Galaxy S8 has a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels that gives the iPhone 8 Plus Full HD screen a run for its money. The device has the same Snapdragon 835 chip as its big brother, but it has less than 4 GB of RAM, which is still good enough to handle almost all tasks without breaking the jaws.
To switch to the camera, the Galaxy S8 may not be equipped with the new dual camera configuration of the Note 8 or the iPhone 8 Plus, but apart from the portrait photos, you will always benefit from the same level photo quality Note 8 with its camera 12 MP f / 1.7 so there is not much to fear here. The 8 MP secondary camera also has an aperture f / 1.7 like the Note 8, which does a remarkable job in producing crisp selfies even in low light conditions. Finally, the 3000 mAh battery on the S8 is pretty decent as it is capable of lasting all day long as long as usage is moderate. For a starting price of $ 625, the Galaxy S8 is definitely much more profitable than the new iPhone 8 Plus.
3. Essential Telephone PH-1
3. Essential Telephone PH-1
t is a beautiful smartphone designed and developed by Essential Products, a relatively new startup founded by Andy Rubin, the man behind the Android operating system. Built in a solid titanium frame and ceramic back , the Essential PH-1 is an absolute amazing when it comes to design as well as high-end construction quality. For starters, the smartphone has an IPS screen of 5.71 inches with a resolution of 1312 x 2560 pixels that may seem pale compared to several other Android flagships, but still much better than what the iPhone 8 Plus offers. Under the hood, the PH-1 incorporates a Snapdragon 835 processor coupled with 4 GB of RAM capable of managing multitasking without any hiccups.
Speaking of the camera, the Dual-13 MP configuration of the Essential Phone with a f / 1.9 aperture is mediocre at best , and it does not even come close to the new iPhone 8 Plus to be honest. Of course, this is definitely not the smartphone you should go for, if a good camera is one of your top priorities. The 8 MP sub camera with a f / 2.2 aperture does a good job at taking selfies with your friends, but it could certainly have been better. The battery is also decent at 3040 mAh , but it should still be enough to last all day long as usage is moderate, thanks to the energy-saving Snapdragon 835 chip that powers the device.
2. Xiaomi Mi Mix 2
Well, we've talked about some high-end Android smartphones that you could buy instead of the new iPhone 8 Plus so far. Now if you can not really pay you the $ 799 price of the iPhone 8 Plus, do not worry, you still have your options and these are smartphones comparable to the best in terms of performance. The Mi Mix 2 of the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi is at the very top in this regard. It features a magnificent 5.99-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels with an impressive screen ratio of nearly 81%, which gives it miles in front of the iPhone 8 Plus in terms of appearance. In terms of performance, it's no small feat, as the company has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 high-end processor to power the smartphone. the Mi Mix 2 can be bought with either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM depending on which storage variant you choose, so expect first-class multitasking performance.
The camera is pretty mediocre, as is the essential phone we just talked about. The 12 MP main sensor with a f / 2.0 aperture does not meet expectations, as it is far behind that competition must offer this year. The secondary front camera rated at 5 MP with an aperture f / 2.0 does not do justice either, because many details will be absent in your selfies. After all, it is a smartphone focused on design rather than a camera-centric camera. The ceramic construction we absolutely love to give it air and feel quite like a premium Android smartphone . The Mi Mix 2 battery is rated at 3400 mAh, which should be enough to last you throughout the day under normal conditions of use.
1. OnePlus 5
It is the only smartphone without glasses presented in this list, but at the same time it is also the most affordable. Considered a "killer flagship" by many users, the OnePlus 5 embeds impressive hardware under the hood, despite the fact that it looks very much like the iPhone 8 Plus. The camera features an AMOLED Optical Full HD 5.5 inch screen that is pretty decent for its price. What sets this phone apart from its exceptional performance is that the OnePlus 5 is powered by Qualcomm's high-end Snapdragon 835 processor, combined with 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, depending on the storage variant that makes it a central multitasking.
Like the iPhone 8 Plus, the OnePlus 5 also features a 16MP MP camera with a f / 1.7 aperture that lets you take impressive portraits with shallow depth of field. However, the camera does not match what the iPhone 8 Plus has to offer, but it's quite good considering the huge price gap. The secondary 16 MP camera with an aperture f / 2.0 has all the necessary resolution to take crisp selfies with your friends. In terms of battery performance, the 3300 mAh battery that OnePlus 5 packs is good enough to last you all day in normal use, so we have no complaints in this department.
