5 phones to consider before you buy

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

The Google Pixel 6 series is here! The standard model looks like a very reasonably priced flagship device, while the Pixel 6 Pro brings plenty of premium features to the table. Looking for something a little different or just wondering what else is out there? You’re in luck, as this is our rundown of the best Google Pixel 6 alternatives.

The best Google Pixel 6 alternatives

1. Samsung Galaxy S22 series

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

These phones come with an Exynos 2200 SoC or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, 120Hz OLED panels, wireless charging, water-resistance, and 8K video recording. The S22 Ultra is also equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, QHD+ display, and a quad rear camera setup consisting of a 108MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a pair of telephoto cameras. Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy S22 is smaller than ever with a 3,700mAh battery, 6.1-inch FHD+ screen, and a 50MP+12MP+10MP rear camera trio.

The middle child is the Galaxy S22 Plus, and it shares the S22’s camera system but offers a 6.6-inch FHD+ screen and a 4,500mAh battery. So you won’t be short of choices if you want a recent Samsung flagship.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Solid performance • Punchy, versatile cameras • S Pen functionality • Above average software support

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a throwback to the days of the Galaxy Note.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra looks like a Galaxy Note phone. It has an S Pen just like a Note, a boxy shape just like a Note, and...well, you get the picture. It is by far the top dog in the Galaxy S22 lineup with the best display, biggest battery, best cameras, and most options for RAM and storage counts.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

Excellent display • Powerful camera package • Solid battery life

The bigger and better (but not best) Galaxy S22.

The Galaxy S22 Plus is bigger than the vanilla Galaxy S22. It has a larger display, a larger battery, and charges faster with a wired connection. However, its cameras, processor, RAM, and internal storage options are the same as its little brother's.

Samsung Galaxy S22

Refined, compact design • Small yet sweet display • Impressive camera setup

Samsung isn't going big, but it still hopes you'll bring this phone home.

The vanilla Samsung Galaxy S22 is subtly tweaked from its predecessor, the Galaxy S21. It has a glass back again (nice!) and features the latest 2022 silicon. It also has an upgraded camera system that should be much better than the 2021 model.

2. Apple iPhone 13 series

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Apple’s latest iPhones are worth a look if you’re open to iOS and want a well-rounded flagship experience. One of the biggest perks is that these phones regularly get five or more years of software updates, ensuring that you’re running the latest iOS version years down the line.

All four iPhone 13 models bring Apple’s beefy A15 processor, wireless charging, and IP68 water/dust resistance. So you’re covered there in terms of excellent additions. But things differ when we come to screen and camera details, to name a few.

Our verdict: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max review

The iPhone 13 Mini and standard iPhone 13 pack 60Hz OLED screens with dual 12MP rear cameras. Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max offer 120Hz OLED screens, add a 12MP 3x telephoto camera, and bring autofocus to the ultrawide camera (enabling macro mode photos and videos). The Pro Max also comes with a huge battery, and we thought endurance was fantastic on this device.

3. OnePlus 10 Pro

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

You could argue that Google specifically aims at OnePlus with the Pixel 6 series pricing. Now, the OnePlus 10 Pro has arrived, and it’s priced neck and neck with the Pixel 6 Pro.

The OnePlus 10 Pro offers 65W wired charging in the US and 80W charging internationally, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a 48MP primary camera, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. These two phones are also getting three years of OS updates and four years of security patches — a year short of the new Pixels for security updates but still pretty good.

More reading:  OnePlus 10 Pro review

As you’d expect, the OnePlus 10 Pro packs premium design elements, touting a QHD+ OLED screen, 50W wireless charging, an IP68 rating, and an 8MP 3.3x telephoto camera. Unfortunately, only the T-Mobile OnePlus 9 has an official IP68 rating once again. Nevertheless, these phones are still worth considering, especially if they’re on a special deal as they often are.

OnePlus 10 Pro

Solid performance • Capable primary camera • Gorgeous display • Strong battery life • Rapid charging

Not the OnePlus you know.

The OnePlus 10 Pro finally receives its global launch. It comes with several hardware upgrades over its predecessor, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, a huge 5,000mAh battery, and 80W fast wired charging (65W brick only in US).

4. Google Pixel 6a

Alright, so the Pixel 6a isn’t available for purchase quite yet, but it’s coming. It’s stayed put at $450 and is closer to the Pixel 6 family than ever.

You’re still getting that Pixel software experience, but this time the mid-ranger packs a Google Tensor chip onboard. The Pixel 6a also packs a hybrid dual rear camera setup that blends the tried and true 12.2MP lens from the Pixel 5 with the 12MP ultrawide from the Pixel 6 series. Google tapped a 4,410mAh battery and kept the durable IP67 rating. So there’s a lot to like here.

Our thoughts: Google Pixel 6a buyer’s guide

While there are plenty of improvements on the Pixel 6a, it’s not perfect. Google ditched the Gorilla Glass back panel in favor of a 3D thermoformed composite, and the 6.2-inch display only offers a 60Hz refresh rate (no 90Hz or 120Hz here). The Pixel 6a’s solid battery is also limited by slow 18W wired charging and there’s no wireless charging. Some of these downgrades are understandable, but things like 18W charging are real disappointments in 2022.

5. Sony Xperia 1 III and 5 III

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The Sony Xperia 1 III continues the recent run of excellent Sony flagships, and it’s worth a look if you value premium features and photography. Starting with the former, the flagship offers a Snapdragon 888 SoC, a 6.5-inch 4K OLED panel at 120Hz, a 4,500mAh battery, 30W wired charging, wireless charging, and a water-resistant design.

Verdict: Sony Xperia 1 III review

Switch to the camera side of things, and the Xperia 1 III brings the heat here too. There’s a variable telephoto camera for the first time in the industry, switching between native 3x or 4.4x zoom. You’ve also got a 12MP primary camera and a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus. Toss in a comprehensive camera app and a dedicated Cinema Pro app, and you’ve got a full-featured photography experience here.

Sony’s phone also stands out from other 2021 flagships by virtue of its 3.5mm port. So audiophiles should be happy with this phone.

The company also offers the more compact Xperia 5 III, trading a 6.5-inch 4K panel for a 6.1-inch FHD+ screen. This device also drops wireless charging, but almost everything else is intact here, including that variable telephoto camera and 3.5mm port.

Sony Xperia 1 III

Google Pixel 6 alternatives: Honorable mentions

• Oppo Find X5 Pro (£1,049): Oppo’s phone isn’t available in the US, but this is one of the better 2022 flagships. The Find X5 Pro offers a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a 5,000mAh battery, and quick 80W wired charging. You’ve also got premium extras like an IP68 rating, 50W wireless charging, and a 120Hz QHD+ OLED screen. The phone doesn’t have a long-range zoom camera, but it swaps this for a 13MP 2x telephoto camera and a pair of impressive 50MP shooters.
• Xiaomi 12 Pro (£1,049): The Pixel 6 Pro is a high-end device, but Xiaomi has its own top-end flagship in the Xiaomi 12 Pro. The two phones bright 120Hz QHD+ OLED screens, ~5,000mAh batteries, and 50MP primary cameras. However, Xiaomi’s phone also packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 120W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and tips the scales on performance.
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE ($699): The Galaxy S21 FE may not be the incredible value of the previous S20 FE, but it’s still a great way to test the Galaxy ecosystem on a budget. The device launched at $700, which is easier to swallow than the standard Galaxy S21. The phone serves up a 4,500mAh battery, Snapdragon 888 SoC (or Exynos 2100 in global variants), wireless charging, and a 120Hz OLED screen. You’re also getting a flexible rear camera system and a lengthy commitment to updates.

These are our favorite Google Pixel 6 alternatives. Are there any other devices you’d recommend? Let us know via the comments section below.

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