The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are widely regarded as two of the best iPhones that have ever been released. Such high praise pushed demand through the roof, causing a backlog to form right from the off.
Since then, issues with Covid-19 restrictions at the iPhone manufacturing facility in China have made getting hold of an iPhone 14 Pro before Christmas pretty much impossible. There are varying accounts of exactly how much production has suffered and how much value has been lost, but for consumers, the result is the same.
Thankfully there are a wealth of great phones available right now. If you can't wait for the iPhone 14 Pro, give on of these alternatives a try.
1. iPhone 13 Pro
If you want the closest like-for-like alternative to the iPhone 14 Pro, looks to its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Pro. You'll miss out on a few things like Dynamic Island and the Always-On Display, but the bulk of the offering is the same.
When we reviewed the 13 Pro, we dubbed it the Goldilocks iPhone, because it is just right. You get an excellent camera, a processor capable of handling anything you throw at it, great battery life and a gorgeous display.
iPhone 13 Pro with 25GB of data just £63 a month on EE
EE offer fantastic coverage with 5G, and with 25GB of data, you'll be able to keep on using it too! Pay £40 upfront and £63 a month, with unlimited text and calls, too.
2. iPhone 14 Plus
Take the vanilla iPhone 14 and plump it up a bit... you've got the iPhone 14 Plus. Signalling Apple's first foray into a 6.7-inch non-Pro iPhone, the Plus was eagerly anticipated prior to its launch around three weeks later than the other iPhone 14 models.
It's a massively capable phone, with a spec sheet that fits nicely between the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro. You'll only get a two-sensor camera array here, though it's still capable of some phenomenal shots. Plus, that extra case size allows the Plus to house a bigger battery, meaning this should keep going even longer than the smaller Pro.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
iPhone 14 Plus with 250GB of data for just £47 a month at Mobiles.co.uk
250GB of data is more than enough for just about anyone, keeping you in touch with the world, even on the move. You'll pay just £49 upfront, too.
3. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
If you're ready to give up Apple altogether, there's a wealth of brilliant Android phones waiting to take your pocket space. None are more recognisable than the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Premium handsets from Samsung and Apple have gone head-to-head for as long as I can remember, and this is no exception.
The S22 Ultra is no slouch. The camera takes the best photos I've ever seen taken on a phone, while One UI 5 operates smoothly, with a good degree of customisation. It also comes with a stylus, if that's your bag.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with unlimited data for just £46.99 a month from Mobiles.co.uk
This deal may just steal the show – everything unlimited for less than £50 a month! It's via the ID Mobile network, which has great coverage, especially with 5G. Just £29 upfront too – this is a fantastic deal!
4. Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Google Pixel 7 Pro has picked up several knockout reviews, thanks to a combination of form and function for a fantastic price. You'll find a superb camera system here, with some genuine wizardry going on under the hood. A process of re-mosaicing happens under zoom to remove grainy patches from your zoomed in images. The result redefines the standard for phone photography.
Couple that with a fantastic adaptive battery life, a beautiful looking display and an overall design that is distinctive and gorgeous, and you have a really great option. I'd always recommend the Hazel finish, too.
Google Pixel 7 Pro with unlimited data for just £33.99 a month at Mobiles.co.uk
Getting a brand new, flagship phone for just £33.99 a month is ludicrous – but getting a fully unlimited plan for that price is bonkers. With a £49 upfront cost, you can enjoy the best of Google's phone technology without busting the bank.
5. Nothing Phone (1)
If you're looking for a great budget iPhone alternative, checkout the Nothing Phone (1). Sure, it wont have the bells and whistles of a more expensive flagship, but this is good at getting the basics done well, and will be more than enough for most users.
You'll get a phone with good specs and a decent operating system, a great camera for general use and a cool factor that is missing from so many handsets. The Glyph, a series of faux-neon lights on the back panel of this device, are bound to strike up conversation and have more functionality than you might think.
Given the extraordinarily low price of the Nothing Phone, your best bet might be to pick up the handset outright and grab a cheap SIM-only deal. I've attached a link to one of my favourite SIM only deals below.
Get an ID Mobile SIM with 250GB of data for just £7.50 a month at Mobiles.co.uk
If that doesn't work for you, the Nothing Phone is available exclusively through O2, so I've attached the best deal below.
Nothing Phone (1) with 20GB of data for £36.20 a month on O2
Snag the coolest phone on the block with an ample 20GB of data for just £36.20 a month. You'll pay just £10 upfront, and the O2 network is great for coverage.
Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
The Renault 5 Turbo is back! Production version of mad EV hot hatch confirmed
Renault is going to build a 500-horsepower version of its electric 5 hatchback
By Alistair Charlton Published
-
A Week on the Wrist with the Leica ZM11 – retro chic with luxury photographic nods
Purveyors of luxury cameras, Leica, have something tasty for your wrist
By Sam Cross Published
-
New Apple TV and HomePod mini coming in 2025, says expert
Apple's upgrading its TV streamer and smallest speaker as part of its renewed focus on smart home systems
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Android XR to debut on all-new Apple Vision Pro rival from Samsung
Android XR will underpin future mixed reality experiences on headsets and glasses
By Chris Hall Published
-
Your Apple TV just got a great new trick
Actually it got a couple...
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple just accidentally leaked the M4 MacBook Air
Don't expect a redesign, this upgrade is all about processing power
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Apple AirPods Pro 3 tipped for an earlier than expected release date
And with a redesign too, possibly
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple Music gets a huge free update you can enjoy even if you don't subscribe
Viva la musica!
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
iOS 18.2 upgrade – here's how to get Apple Intelligence on your iPhone
Apple has released its iOS 18.2 upgrade, bringing a range of new features to your iPhone. Discover how to get the features and what to expect
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
Samsung's banking on yesteryear tech to win the chipmaking fight – I hope it wins
It's a different kind of retro tech
By Sam Cross Published