Forget iPhone 5: 10 Top Apple Alternatives

Yes, the new iPhone 5 is finally here. It’s great looking, like most of Apple’s products. It has a larger, 4″ screen, a faster processor and LTE cellular network support. But it’s definitely not the end-all, be-all of smartphones, no matter how much Apple fanbois rant and rave. Keep moving for 10 top-of-the-line smartphones from Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Nokia and more.

The Lumia 920 is Nokia’s flagship Windows Phone device, and it runs Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 8 OS. The device uses new “PureView” camera technology to capture the “best pictures and video ever seen on a smartphone,” according to the company. The Lumia 920 also packs the largest battery ever in a Nokia mobile phone, a 2000mAh power pack, and it comes in a variety of vivid colors.

Availability: No pricing details are available, but Nokia says it will release the Lumia 920 later this year.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: New Windows Phone 8 OS; wireless charging when used along with charging accessories from Nokia; innovative camera- and image-stabilization features; and NFC.

Find more information on Nokia.com.

The DROID RAZR M’s 4.3″ (960×540) display makes it the smallest smartphone in the current DROID RAZR lineup, but the device has some powerful internal components that make up for its diminutive size, including a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and LTE radio. It will also be the first DROID device to ship with Google’s Chrome browser.

Availability: The DROID RAZR M is a Verizon Wireless exclusive in the United States, and it’s available for $99.99 with a new, two-year service agreement.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Kevlar back plate for durability; Android OS (4.0, upgradable to 4.1); affordable price; and NFC.

Find more information on Verizon’s website.

With a large, high-res Super AMOLED display, speedy 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the Android OS and tons of unique social sharing features, the Galaxy S III is one of the hottest phones on the market.

Availability: The Galaxy S III is available through all major U.S. wireless carriers and U.S. Cellular. Pricing varies, but most carriers offer the 16GB device for $199.99 with new, two-year contract. T-Mobile charges $279.99 with a new contract. (A 32GB model is available at select carriers.)

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Android OS (4.0, upgradable to 4.1); removable battery, expandable memory; and NFC.

Find more information on Samsung’s website, or read “Samsung Galaxy S III: 8 Key Features and Facts.”

HTC’s One X smartphone is fast and powerful; it runs on AT&T’s LTE network, and it packs a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. The One X runs Android, and it has a 4.7″ Super LCD 2 display (720p), 16GB of built-in storage and an 8MP digital camera. The device also uses Universal Beats Audio technology for high-quality sound when used with compatible headphones.

Availability: The HTC One X is an AT&T exclusive in the United States, and it’s available for $99.99 with a new, two-year service agreement.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Android OS (4.0); larger display; Beats Audio technology; affordable price; and NFC. (Rumors suggest a souped-up HTC One X+ may also be unveiled soon.)

Find more information on HTC’s website or at ATT.com.

Samsung’s super-slim Windows Phone 8 device, the ATIV S, is a looker thanks to its chic design and metallic bezel. Its 4.8″, Super AMOLED display is meant to view HD media in all its glory. A 1.5GHz dual-core processor provides the power you need to seamlessly perform work and personal tasks. Unfortunately, the ATIV S doesn’t support LTE.

Availability: No release date is available, but the ATIV S’s lack of LTE suggests T-Mobile may be the only U.S. carrier to offer the device unless an LTE version is released.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: New Windows Phone 8 OS; expandable storage via microSD card; and NFC.

Find more information on Samsung.com.

The DROID RAZR MAXX HD is all about battery life—it has most of the same features as the DROID RAZR M and DROID RAZR HD, but it also gets 32 hours of “normal use” and 13 hours of continuous video playback, according to Motorola. The device has a 4.7″ Super AMOLED HD display with Corning’s Gorilla Glass for durability.

Availability: The DROID RAZR MAXX HD will be a Verizon Wireless exclusive in the United States, and it should be available “before the holidays,” according to Verizon. No pricing details have been released.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Better battery life; expandable memory via microSD card; and NFC.

Find more information on RAZR.com.

In a world of oversize Android handhelds, the HTC DROID INCREDIBLE stands apart from the pack due to its relatively compact design. Its 4-inch, qHD (960×540) screen isn’t too small, though, and it runs on Verizon’s 4G network. It also has a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and an 8MP digital camera.

Availability: The HTC DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE is a Verizon Wireless exclusive in the United States, and the 8GB version is available for $149.99 along with a new, two-year service contract.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Android OS (4.0); removable battery; microSD memory card support; and Beats Audio technology; and NFC.

Find more information on HTC’s website and VerizonWireless.com.

Motorola’s Atrix HD smartphone runs on AT&T’s LTE network, and it has a 4.5-inch HD ColorBoost Display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and an 8MP digital camera. The Atrix HD runs Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and the device’s surface is coated with Kevlar for added durability. (Unfortunately, the Atrix HD does not support NFC.)

Availability: The Motorola Atrix HD is an AT&T exclusive in the United States, and it’s available for $99.99 with a new, two-year service agreement.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Android OS (4.0); expandable storage via microSD card; and affordable price.

Find more information on Motorola’s website or at ATT.com.

Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus device is one of the only smartphones that currently run Google’s Android v4.1 Jelly Bean. (Jelly Bean isn’t available on all models yet, though.) The Galaxy Nexus also has a curved HD Contour 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display and a 5MP digital camera.

Availability: An unlocked HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus (16GB), which is compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile networks, is available through Google for $349.99. The LTE Galaxy Nexus (32GB) costs $99.99 through Sprint and it’s on sale for $149.99 through Verizon, both with new two-year contracts.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Android OS (4.1); removable battery; unique curved and larger display; and NFC.

Find more information on Google’s website, Sprint.com or VerizonWireless.com.

Research In Motion’s (RIM) first BlackBerry 10 smartphones won’t be available until early 2013, but if you seek a cutting-edge device with a full QWERTY “hardware” keyboard or you just want something brand new and different, one—or both–of the BlackBerry devices could be just right for you. RIM plans to release an all-touch “L-Series” smartphone first, followed shortly behind by a full QWERTY “N-Series” handset. (Read more about the first two BlackBerry 10 devices.)

Availability: No pricing details; Q1 2013 is the expected release date for the first two devices.

Notable Features iPhone 5 Lacks: Brand new software; removable batteries; and, on select devices, a “physical” BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard.

Image credit: CrackBerry.com and the CrackBerry Forums