Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 just won’t stop exploding, and the company is now telling users to turn off their phones indefinitely as it looks to end production of the device. As the final nail enters the coffin, here are some of the hottest Galaxy Note 7 alternatives to consider instead.
1) Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
- Amazon.com Price: Buy Now for $599
- Our Score: 4.5/5
- Our Verdict: “Best-in-class camera, design and performance make the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge the Android phone to beat in 2016.”
The most obvious choice is the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. It’s a little smaller, pitting a 5.5-inch display against the Galaxy Note 7’s 5.7-incher, but the hardware is almost identical.
You get the same screen resolution, same powerful processor, same excellent camera, and most of the perks such as wireless charging and the always-on display. All you’ll miss out on is the iris scanner and the stylus, neither of which can truthfully be called essentials.
Why switch? If you’re looking for a Galaxy Note 7 alternative, this will give you the most similar experience, and for less money too.
Watch: Galaxy S7 Edge review
2) iPhone 7 Plus
- Our Score: TBD
- Our Verdict: TBD
If the Galaxy Note 7 recall debacle has left you truly vexed, now may be the time to ditch Android and jump aboard the good ship Apple. The new iPhone 7 Plus is a formidable handset, and comes equipped with iOS 10.
There’s no questioning the iPhone’s performance, and although we’ve had some issues with battery life, it’s fair to say that Apple’s upsized flagship is a respectable rival to the Galaxy Note 7.
Why switch? If you’re comfortable moving to iOS, you’ll enjoy excellent design and solid performance – albeit for a heftier price.
Watch: iPhone 7 Plus vs iPhone 7
3) Google Pixel XL
- Google Store Price: Buy now for £719
- Our Score: TBD
- Our Verdict: TBD
Google wants the new Pixel XL to showcase its vision for Android, but in a larger handset format. The biggest advantages of the Pixel XL include Android 7.0 Nougat and support for Google’s Daydream VR platform, but you’re also getting a solidly built phone with the guarantee of regular software updates.
It’s also worth remembering that the Pixel phones come equipped with Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 821 chip, which is a step up from the processor on board the Galaxy Note 7.
Why switch? If you’re looking for Google’s software in its purest form, and you want the most cutting-edge Android features, the Pixel XL will have you covered – and it’s got top-of-the-range hardware to boot. You just have to look past the price tag.
Watch: Google Pixel and Pixel XL hands-on
4) OnePlus 3
- Amazon.com Price: Buy Now for $500
- Our Score: 4.5/5
- Our Verdict: “OnePlus has done it again, delivering a superb smartphone to rival the high-end competition at a bargain price.”
It’s no secret that the OnePlus 3 offers stunningly good value for money, undercutting most of the major smartphone manufacturers without significant compromises to the hardware.
You’ll have to settle for a less impressive camera, and you’ll lose quirky features like Samsung’s S Pen stylus, but there’s no questioning the OnePlus 3’s ability to function as your daily driver.
Why switch? If you want a flagship-grade smartphone without having to plunder your savings, the OnePlus 3 is a very attractive choice.
Related: OnePlus 3 vs Galaxy Note 7
5) Huawei P9 Plus
- Amazon.com Price: Buy Now for $630
- Our Score: 4/5
- Our Verdict: “Great battery life, good screen and a feature-packed camera continue Huawei’s strong run.”
The Huawei P9 Plus is a little smaller than the Galaxy Note 7, featuring a still-respectable 5.5-inch Full HD display. But it has some unique perks, such as a Leica-built dual-camera setup and Huawei’s custom-built Kirin 955 CPU. It’s also got the usual flagship trimmings, featuring 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
Why switch? Huawei may not be the first name you think of when it comes to flagship smartphones, but it’s one of the biggest handset makers on the planet. For an Android flagship with great specs, the Huawei P9 Plus is no bad pick.
6) Samsung Galaxy S8
- Amazon UK Price: N/A
- Our Score: N/A
- Our Verdict: N/A
“Wait, this isn’t even out yet,” I hear you cry. Well, you’re right. In fact, Samsung hasn’t even announced the Galaxy S8, so there’s no guarantee it will ever exist. But it probably will, and it will probably be announced in late February or early March next year. The launch will be here in no time, and you can be sure that Samsung will want to impress with its first post-Note 7 flagship. If the über-successful Galaxy S7 is anything to go by, the Galaxy S8 will be one of the most impressive smartphones of 2017.
Why switch? Samsung is likely to go all-out with the Galaxy S8, and will probably kit it out with next-gen components like the Snapdragon 830 chip. If you’re willing to wait, the Galaxy S8 could make it worth your while.
Watch: Galaxy S8 news and rumours
What’s your favourite Galaxy Note 7 alternative? Let us know in the comments below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
