I heard Leo LaPorte on TWiT episode 529 say that there are phones that are equivalent to iPhones that are less expensive. I was wondering if that is an accurate statement? I know the flagship phones from Samsung are as expensive if not more than iPhones. Some of the less expensive Android phones seem to be a good value but they are not iPhone equivalents. I realize there are mostly iPhone users but are there other phones that are less expensive that are in the ballpark price range of an iPhone?
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Less expensive iPhone equivalent
- Thread starter watson10
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I would guess a lot would depend on how you define "equivalent"... Build quality? App availability? Screen quality? But virtually every phone out there does the same basic things. You can call, send texts, run apps, take pictures. After that, it's trade-offs and compromises based on your needs.
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Look into the one plus series, the Moto x series, and the nexus series. All are significantly cheaper (though the nexus saw a hefty price hike last year, which may or may not become the trend) and still flagships.
People From both sides will argue what "equivalent" really means. I can say that, in my most utterly honest opinion, the Moto x is a better phone than the newest Galaxy. And it's half the price (unless you start getting fancy with leather back and whatnot).
Opinions will obviously differ, but there are some very good performers in the android world that are pretty easy on the wallet.
People From both sides will argue what "equivalent" really means. I can say that, in my most utterly honest opinion, the Moto x is a better phone than the newest Galaxy. And it's half the price (unless you start getting fancy with leather back and whatnot).
Opinions will obviously differ, but there are some very good performers in the android world that are pretty easy on the wallet.
Define equivalent.
To me an equivalent would be a device using something very similar to iOS on hardware that is not Apple manufactured/branded but looks a lot like an iPhone.
Below, this phone (HTC Touch Pro), which I used to own, was once marketed as the iPhone 3GS killer. HTC would have considered it to be 'equivalent' to the 3GS.
To me an equivalent would be a device using something very similar to iOS on hardware that is not Apple manufactured/branded but looks a lot like an iPhone.
Below, this phone (HTC Touch Pro), which I used to own, was once marketed as the iPhone 3GS killer. HTC would have considered it to be 'equivalent' to the 3GS.
I agree with this, at least on the Moto X and Nexus phones. I'm not familiar with the other one.
If it's not an iPhone, it's not an iPhone.
Nexus and Moto X devices had traditionally have less than stellar camera performance.
So if camera isn't a big issue. Than they are both fine alternatives.
To me the LG G4, Note, Galaxy series and iPhone series all offer top notch camera (for phones).
So if camera isn't a big issue. Than they are both fine alternatives.
To me the LG G4, Note, Galaxy series and iPhone series all offer top notch camera (for phones).
Buy an ipod touch for the platform and then a cheap android smartphone like the Moto G 3rd generation. Still cheaper than the latest iphones.
He didn’t define "equivalent", but his tone was there are phones that are equal (design, features, build quality I assume) to iPhone for less money. But he also said that the 6s was going to cause him to switch back from Android. The reason for my post was see if there are some "flagship" phones from other companies that are cheaper that I didn’t know about. I love my 6s. 
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Leo is alright. he is just saying that there are really good choices amongst the android brands with similar features.
I have an iphone and an android phone. they have their pros and cons.
the new nexus phones announcing tomorrow will be pretty compelling from a price/performance perspective
Absolutely, all the major OSes have their own ecosystems. If you must have an iPhone, then have a look at the older models. However, I don't personally see the value in getting anything other than the newest iPhone, as you save 20% of the cost but get half or less the processing power and lack many newer features.
Android? Many like the system, but for me I'm not so sure about the fragmented nature of so many devices, or the security or battery life. For a cheaper flagship, have a look at OnePlus, Xiaomi or Huawei.
I'd also have a look at windows phone. Less apps are available but like the vertical integration of device and OS, and it seems to have a more iPhone-like user friendly interface. There are great budget options as well.
I feel like the "iPhone" in the title "Less expensive iPhone equivalent" is trying to get away from the three words surrounding it
What I meant is that the 6 / 6 Plus are "equivalent" to the 6S / 6S Plus, for less money. If you can't afford the newest, go with last year's model.
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
LG G4 Beat
Nokia Lumia 930
Moto X Style
Samsung Galaxy A3
All well priced, well built iPhone equivalents.
LG G4 Beat
Nokia Lumia 930
Moto X Style
Samsung Galaxy A3
All well priced, well built iPhone equivalents.
Looks like a great phone, but, you confirm my thoughts: Great top their phones cost about as much as iPhones.
Thanks. I can now see the point of those that said "define equivalent". I see the phones listed as great phones and less expensive than iPhone but not exactly equal. The Sony looks very close but the price is up there with iPhone. I appreciate your input.
The thing is, many mid end Androids are actually iPhone equivalents, I mean the Samsung Galaxy A series e.g. A5 and A7 are iPhone6S and iPhone6S Plus equivalents respectively.
I've always been of the opinion that Samsung, Htc, Sony, LG, Moto etc...should rather market their mid end stuff as iPhone competitors, as the specs tend to be similar. Then their top end stuff as more for power users.
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No they cannot market their mid tier as iPhone competitors.
They have enough time marketing their top of the line(Galaxy/Note/G4/M series)by
Samsung has been bleeding money while spending millions on advertising trying to compete on the top end with Apple.
Now they are desperate to give $200 towards the price of a new Galaxy or reducing the S6 prices.
You don't get what I am saying.
They must move the marketing to mid end products. In the same way BMW will focus majority of their budget on the 3series instead of the 7series, and do fewer yet more exclusive stuff for the 7.
They could do more exclusive and hard hitting marketing for Galaxy S and Galaxy Note, and then go heavy on the Galaxy A series. Make less units of S and Note, get better margins off them.
The Galaxy A5 and A7 are fantastic devices, and spec wise match the iPhone6S and iPhone6S Plus, but are sold at far lower prices and probably cost little to make as they don't use top of the line hardware, but are well built and match the iPhones spec for spec.
I would have to say the Oneplus 2. An almost stock experience, finger print scanner, build quality is great, $389 for 64gb. You can only get close to what apple brings (Not fanboysm here). Im waiting for the next company to have an apple like store where if something goes wrong with your apple product, a store is right around the corner from you most of the time. That is the one MAJOR advantage apple has over it's competition.
