From being in the running as the best smartphone of the year to becoming possibly the biggest product safety failure to date, much has happened to the Galaxy Note 7. After a disastrous maiden voyage, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is officially done for. If you’re among the millions who had to give up on your Samsung phone during its massive recall, you’ll be delighted to know that there are plenty of similar, even better, options within easy reach.
Sure, you can point out the iPhone 7 Plus as a viable substitute. But if you who went through the hassle of getting a Note 7, you’ll most likely want to stay with an Android OS, rather than switch to an unfamiliar environment. So, we’ll help ease the burden of your decision.
Here are the 5 most promising Android phones that could be just as good as the Note 7 without the fire hazard:
1) Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Much like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the S7 Edge checks a lot of the right boxes. It’s got a nice curved glass on top, it’s waterproof, and it uses Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon 820 processor. Give it a closer look and you’ll realize that both phones offer almost identical specs and deliver equally impressive performances. The only difference, really, is that it has a smaller screen (5.5 inches) than the Note 7 (5.7 inches).
If your confidence in the brand hasn’t been shaken by recent events, there may be no other better alternative than the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
2) Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe
Touted as the world’s first ever full-metal unibody phone, the Zenfone Deluxe 3 has achieved a level of sleekness that even iPhones couldn’t. Nevertheless, this Asus model has more than just slick aesthetics in its arsenal. Not only does it have 6GB RAM, it also comes with the latest (and fastest) Snapdragon 821 chipset. With those two components, it’s safe to say that performance is not a problem for the Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe.
Best of all, it has 3 essential types of autofocus: phase detection, laser, and contrast detection. This means that this smartphone’s fast shutter (plus its 23MP camera) eliminates any chance of you capturing blurry photos.
When you’re someone who loves taking snapshots of anything and everything around you, this smartphone is definitely a good fit.
3) Google Pixel XL
On paper, the Google Pixel XL looks to be Samsung Galaxy Note 7’s only rival to the Android throne. It has a faster processor, better specs, and the best smartphone camera in the world. It even runs the latest Android 7.1 Nougat, an Android OS version that hasn’t even been released yet. Although it’s screen is slightly smaller at 5.5 inches, the Pixel phone has a sharper display than the Note 7.
For the die-hard Android fans, this premium device from the company that created the Android clearly is the better choice.
4) LG V20
While LG’s newest flagship hasn’t hit the stores yet, a lot of initial reviews suggest that it’s easily in the same league as the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (or even better). Its top-notch specifications, such as: 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 820 processor, Adreno 530 integrated graphics card, microSD slot for expandable storage, and removable batteries. The LG V20 is also built with a shock-absorbent, metal-silicon body that enables it to withstand drops from as tall as seven feet. It’ll launch with the latest Android v7 Nougat, too.
What makes it a better deal than the now-defunct Note 7 is its ambitious combination of three powerful cameras, two screens, and excellent hardware put into a military-grade build.
5) OnePlus 3
An excellent performance at a price that’s less than half of the explosive (literally) Galaxy Note 7 is what you’re getting from this rookie competitor. In fact, respected critics have pointed that the OnePlus 3 can outpace its Samsung rival in several performance tests. This is a credit to the smartphone having the same Snapdragon 820 chip alongside a sizable 6GB RAM. However, it does come short of its goal of trouncing Samsung’s flagship as its 16-MP camera fails to impress in low-light settings.
Nevertheless, it’s awfully clear that the OnePlus 3 is a practical option for a flagship device. It offers good value without compromising too much on hardware. A solid pick for anyone looking for a reliable “everyday use” kind of phone.
