I’m an expert on phone deals and these are my top three Samsung Galaxy S24 alternatives
We’ve all experienced it. We see a new phone that looks great and we are immediately impressed by the idea of owning one. The Samsung Galaxy S24 appears to be no different.
It’s pretty clear why. In the space of a few months, Samsung has managed to dethrone Google as the king of AI, launch a new and exclusive version of the most powerful chipset we’ve seen from Qualcomm, and even find value in another Galaxy in the form of the Galaxy S24 Plus, a model that, quite frankly, has remained unloved for too long.
For many, a pre-order of the Samsung Galaxy S24 would be an obvious option. However, the Galaxy S24 does not stand alone.
Despite appearing to be the all-powerful Android phone for everyone, it’s entirely possible that you’ll be just as happy with an alternative flagship that won’t cost you nearly as much, and that arguably has a lot more personality; If a phone could have a personality, that is.
The once and future king
The starting point for all things Android is inevitably Google, and given the current focus on AI development there are no signs of this changing any time soon. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, despite being released in October, set the benchmark for what many would expect from the next generation of AI.
And it set a precedent that the Samsung Galaxy S24 would follow in the form of seven years of Android feature and security updates, a decision that’s a testament to the quality of some of the phones we’re seeing now.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro also put the pricing of the Galaxy S24 and especially the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra into question. The latest Pixel phones, which cost £699/$699 and £999/$999, sit comfortably below the prices of the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, which cost £799/$799, £899/$999 and £ 1,249 / $1,299 respectively. An eyebrow-raiser for sure, especially when you consider the sheer quality of the devices you get (which you can read more about in our Google Pixel 8 review and Google Pixel 8 Pro review).
When it comes to specs and features, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro aren’t far behind some of the capabilities of the new Samsung Galaxy S24 either, especially when you consider the £250/$300 price difference between the Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Features like Magic Eraser, Audio Magic Eraser and Best Take have set the Google Pixel 8 series apart from the majority of flagship competitors, while Samsung’s Circle to Search and Photo Assist AI features add new levels of simplicity to some of the most common reasons why we use our phone.
The troublesome newcomer
When it comes to impressive underdogs, OnePlus has always been at the top of my list of popular brands, and its rise has seen it become increasingly popular with mainstream phone enthusiasts in both the US and UK. The company’s latest phone, the OnePlus 12, not only raised an already impressive bar, but also probably made Samsung and Google sweat with some of its impressive specs, and in this case, simply stunning design.
The OnePlus 12 features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip – although not the Samsung-exclusive version available on the Samsung Galaxy S24 in the US – up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 2K 120Hz ProXDR LTPO display, all complemented by a 5,400mAh battery capacity with 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, making the OnePlus 12 impressively powerful for a duration that seems to last longer than the Galaxy S24.
Impressive specs are one thing, but it’s in the details why OnePlus needs more appreciation. OnePlus has not only redesigned the phone’s cooling system, improving the longevity and performance of the OnePlus 12, but also ensured that the phone is Wi-Fi 7 compatible, uses USB 3.2 and has a battery motor on the device , all to ensure you can use the OnePlus 12 for as long as possible. The OnePlus 12 also costs just £849 / $799.99 for its 12GB RAM and 256GB base model, a price that the Samsung Galaxy S24 simply cannot can match.
The sophisticated selection
An alternative option, I know, but the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra – or Motorola Razr+ if you live in the US – simply has to make this list based on the sheer amount of character it possesses. Out of the blocks, the Razr is undoubtedly the best looking clamshell folding phone currently available, and that’s before you get into the different color options available, including Infinite Black, Viva Magenta, Glacier Blue and Peach Fuzz, each of which is its own already stunning.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the most powerful phone out there, especially compared to the OnePlus 12 or Google Pixel 8 Pro, but that doesn’t stop the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra from having some pretty strong arguments in its favor.
First, and most noticeably, the Razr 40 Ultra has a 3.6-inch flexible AMOLED external display, the largest and perhaps best cover display available on a foldable clamshell phone. The phone also uses a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, which, while slightly dated, is still a more than capable chipset for a phone of this size, alongside a dual rear camera setup and a 32MP selfie camera. So, overall, a respectable list of specs, especially when compared to some of its folding clamshell competitors,
As we mention in our Motorola Razr Plus review, this phone isn’t necessarily for someone who wants the latest and greatest specs and features. However, what it lacks in performance it makes up for in personality. A unique and fun user experience, combined with excellent color choices and some well-thought-out features for a foldable clamshell smartphone, make the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra an excellent choice if you’re looking for a phone you won’t find. doubt enjoy using it.