Hardware

Gallery: Nine Android alternatives to the iPhone 7

By · September 9, 2016, 8:18 AM PST · bviglia

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  • ​Are you among the iPhone 7 haters?

    No headphone jack, no physical home button, no mind-blowing physical upgrades ... there are quite a few reasons to be unhappy with the iPhone 7. If you're not excited about upgrading it might be time to think about jumping ship to an Android device.

    Here are nine Android phones that have features that match or beat the iPhone 7. Different phones will suit different users, so be sure to check out the full list to discover the best one for your needs.

    Image: iStock/dima_sidelnikov

  • LG V20

    LG's newest flagship phone, the V20, is due to be released later this month. It's sporting a dual camera just like the iPhone 7 and will also be the first Android device to ship with Nougat.

    The V20 isn't IP rated, though it is MIL-STD-810 drop certified, so it can take a beating when it falls from your ear or pocket.

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • ​Nexus 6P

    While it doesn't have outstanding features it's still an iPhone 7 competitor. The Nexus 6P is Google's very own Android device, and it's a smooth operator. It has a 12MP camera, which is just as good as the iPhone 7, and reviews of the device have been very favorable since launch.

    It also has a stock installation of Android without any annoying third-party launchers.

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • ​Huawei P9

    Huawei's P9 sports dual 12MP cameras, making it a solid photo competitor to the iPhone 7. It's a phone designed to take great pictures, which it definitely does.

    Image: Andrew Hoyle/CNET

  • ​Motorola Z Force

    The Moto Z Force is a surprisingly tough phone. We had one at the TechRepublic office and we abused it pretty badly, all without doing any damage at all.

    The Z Force isn't IP rated but it's still a durable phone. There's also a whole bunch of modular back pieces that can be added to improve battery life and sound quality, and even turn it into a projector.

    Audiophiles be warned: there's no headphone jack.

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • ​HTC 10

    Contrasting with the Moto Z Force is the HTC 10. It has a headphone jack along with high definition audio that reportedly sounds amazing.

    Image: Andrew Hoyle/CNET

  • ​Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

    Both the S7 and the S7 Edge boast an IP68 rating, making them more waterproof than the iPhone 7. And they do it all while retaining a physical home button and a headphone jack.

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • ​Sony Xperia XZ

    It's not out yet, but Sony's new flagship phone will come with a 23MP camera and an IP68 rating. The XZ's camera is nearly double the megapixels of the iPhone 7.

    Image: Josh Miller/CNET

  • ​LG G5

    The G5 has been out since April and has a dual camera that is arguably better than the iPhone 7's. It's 16MP with the same f/1.8 aperture, though the secondary camera is only 8MP--a few shy of the iPhone 7's dual 12MP lenses.

    Image: James Martin/CNET

  • ​HTC One M9+

    The M9+ has dual cameras at 20MP and 8MP. The all-metal design also gives the phone some heft that other Android devices lack. The M9+ is getting on in age, but it's still a respectable device that can soothe the unhappiness that many iPhone users may be feeling.

    Image: HTC

​Are you among the iPhone 7 haters?

No headphone jack, no physical home button, no mind-blowing physical upgrades ... there are quite a few reasons to be unhappy with the iPhone 7. If you're not excited about upgrading it might be time to think about jumping ship to an Android device.

Here are nine Android phones that have features that match or beat the iPhone 7. Different phones will suit different users, so be sure to check out the full list to discover the best one for your needs.

Image: iStock/dima_sidelnikov

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By Brandon Vigliarolo

Brandon writes about apps and software for TechRepublic. He's an award-winning feature writer who previously worked as an IT professional and served as an MP in the US Army.

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