3 Cheaper Alternatives to the iPhone 14

The smartphone feeding frenzy begins. Resist the temptation to splurge.

iPhone season is upon us. To the delight of Apple fans everywhere, the iPhone 14 is set to release on Sept. 16. The newest phone in Apple's lineup looks to boast better battery life and a better camera than its predecessors, among other things. But is the iPhone 14 worth the cost?

iPhones are expensive. The iPhone 14 is set to cost around $799. Its chunkier sibling, the iPhone 14 Plus, will cost about $899. While Apple has a reputation for putting out consistently better phones, sometimes the latest upgrades don't justify the premium price tags. 

If you're willing to sacrifice a couple nifty features like crash detection and remote SOS satellite calling, then you may want to consider taking a look at cheaper alternatives.

iPhone 14 features

The iPhone comes with a bevy of features comparable to cheaper phones on the market. Check them out:

The iPhone looks like it'll be one of the best phones on the market. But there are other great mid-range options for buyers who don't care about having the very best camera.

Here are three cheaper alternatives to the iPhone 14.

iPhone 13: a reliable option for Apple Watch owners

Sometimes, you just want a phone that can easily sync up to your watch, your AirPods, your HomePod, and any other Apple products you crave like Gollum craves the One True Ring.

The iPhone 13 provides all the features you expect from an iPhone, all at a slightly more affordable price.

The main difference between phones is the iPhone 13 has a slightly shorter battery life and fewer features than the iPhone 14 camera, which uses machine learning to dramatically improve shots taken in poor lighting. It's called the Photogenic Engine, and it's something all but the most camera-needy users probably won't notice.

Buyers can finance their purchase through monthly low-cost payments with 0% interest. Apple Card benefits also give card owners cash back on their purchase.

Google Pixel 6: a premium Android experience

Apple isn't the only producer of high-quality phones. The latest phone in the Google Pixel lineup boasts speedy performance and another high-quality camera with intuitive editing features for regular users who don't need to shoot a film. For example, its unique Magic Eraser tool lets you easily cut Weird Photobomb Guy from your vacation photos.

It's a best-in-class Android phone that just so happens to be cheaper than the iPhone.

Buyers on Amazon highly rate the phone's core features. Some users note the Touch ID can be finicky, and heavy usage can cause the Pixel to overheat. Also, the phone's 24-hour battery life might be shorter for 5G users.

Buyers can finance their phone for payments as little as $25 per month. Carriers offer different payment options, ranging from two- to three-year spreads.

Samsung Galaxy A53: a cheap, solid Android smartphone

The latest Samsung Galaxy has a lot to offer to thrifty buyers who don't care for razzle-dazzle. It's quick, offers plenty of storage, and can be bought for under $500. Like the iPhone 14 and Pixel 6, the Samsung Galaxy A53 offers five years of continuous security updates.

It's a solid Android phone for casual users.

Amazon buyers tend to agree the Samsung Galaxy A53 is a good mid-tier phone. Complaints include a finicky touch ID and imperfect brightness/resolution. The battery life is probably around 10 hours of continuous usage, considerably less than advertised, according to review site tomsguide.com.

Buyers can choose to space out phone payments over two to three years. Bonus: At the time of this post, the Samsung website offers free earpods, Galaxy Buds 2, with eligible purchases. 

Shop around before you commit

With so many options out there, choosing a smartphone can be overwhelming. It's tempting to just go with the next big thing -- in this case, the latest and greatest iPhone. But some of the best sales are to be had when new phones hit the market: Every time a new iPhone comes out, the prices of older versions drop.

In America especially, it often feels like everyone and their mom runs on Apple software. In truth, over 7 in 10 smartphone users globally use phones that run on Android. It's a wide world out there. Don't feel pressured to dive into the latest feeding frenzy: Patience is the best friend of the oft-steamrolled budget.