Samsung Galaxy Note 8, a great smartphone, comes with an enormous price ranging from$930 to $960 in the USA and even higher in other parts of the world. This impetus might not make it an ideal pick for all the tech lovers out there.
The Note 8 is well worth the investment, at least for its standout features like the dual camera for portrait mode and the S pen stylus to write, draw and navigate the phone. Call it cost-cutting or trade-offs but such features are hard to find in any other smartphones. Having said that, the phones mentioned below are bound to offer just as much bang for a lot fewer bucks, ranging from $479 to $850.
Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus:
Samsung's very own 'S' series flagships from earlier this year make for a great alternative. Although they do not come with the integrated S pen stylus or the second camera for portrait mode, the S8 phones boast a similar beautiful curved display and very narrow bezels. They also share top-of-the-line hardware and all the bells and whistles, including waterproofing, wireless charging and iris scanner. The S8 Plus screen size is just 0.1 of an inch smaller at 6.2 inches compared to that of the Note 8's 6.3.
Galaxy S8 price: Approx. $750
Galaxy S8 Plus price: Approx. $850
LG G6
The LG G6 is another beautifully crafted smartphone. With its 'FullVision' 18:9 aspect ratio display and trimmed bezels, the G6 is a lot like Samsung's Galaxy S8, but comes with an affordable price. Barring the curved display, the LG G6 has its own charm and simplicity. The smartphone feels solidly constructed and sports not one but two 13-megapixel cameras that take great wide-angle pictures.
LG G6 Price: $600-$720 depending on region
OnePlus 5
The good people at OnePlus offer exceptional hardware at a reasonable price. The OnePlus 5 tops the charts when it comes to value for money. A capable all-rounder, the OnePlus 5 rivals the Note 8 with its dual-camera setup. It also houses the same Snapdragon 835 processor that powers the Galaxy Note 8. It also offers fast charging, two storage options, great battery life and a fingerprint reader.
Price 64GB version: $479
Price 128GB version: $539
Moto Z2 Force
The sleek and impressive Moto Z2 Force does not come at a reasonable price. It comes with two 12-megapixel cameras, the same Snapdragon 835 processor and a fingerprint sensor that also doubles up as a navigational track pad. What is more amazing is that the Moto Z2 Force features a shatter-resistant screen, apart from the proprietary snap-on magnetic Moto Mods that enhances the audio output and boosts up the battery.
Moto Z2 Force Price: $730 Onwards
HTC U11
HTC U11 aka "the squeeze phone" is just as good as any dual-camera smartphone. The Snapdragon 835 chipset ensures that the water-resistant device performs just as well as any other flagship device. The U11 also comes with some of the most beautiful paint jobs ever on a smartphone.
HTC U11 Price: $649
