In recent weeks, the Russian App Store has been going through a major cleanup: first the MAKS messenger was removed, then VK apps disappeared from the store one by one. Against this backdrop, authorities are openly advising people to switch from iPhones to Android, and I keep getting the same question in my DMs. What should you switch to so you won’t regret it later? I’ve put together five smartphones that you can switch to from iPhone without pain. No dry spec sheets or marketing slogans — just straight to the point: what makes each device great in everyday life and who it’s best suited for.
Gradually starting to ditch the iPhone
Samsung Galaxy S26: Why You Should Switch from iPhone to Samsung
If you’ve lived with an iPhone for years and don’t want to relearn everything, start here. Galaxy S26 is the closest to your usual rhythm: a compact body with a 6.3-inch screen, smooth 120 Hz, and the One UI shell where everything is roughly where you’d expect to find it. 12 GB of RAM, 256 GB for files and photos, a triple camera on the back, and Samsung’s signature commitment to long-term updates. A year from now, the device won’t turn into a pumpkin — it will keep receiving fresh Android versions for a long time.
Samsung has the simplest design
The main argument for those switching from iPhone is the manufacturer. Samsung is just as big a company as Apple, and the quality of both the devices and software is excellent. So you have the opportunity to switch from one solid device to another.
Price: 59,600 ₽.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra: Best Camera Phone of 2026
This option is for those who primarily used their iPhone for photography. Find X9 Ultra is built around the camera, one tuned in collaboration with Hasselblad, and you can feel it in the colors: skin looks natural, skies don’t turn acid, and portraits come out with honest bokeh. The main 200 MP module plus a second 50 MP sensor give you plenty of detail and zoom range for both city shooting and family trips.
The smartphone looks quite powerful
The screen here is large — a 6.82-inch AMOLED — so viewing photos and videos is a real pleasure. The 7,050 mAh battery with SuperVOOC fast charging will survive the longest day, and in the morning it’ll reach 100% faster than you can finish your coffee. There’s NFC for payments and eSIM support, which matters for travel. This is the global version, and customs duty is already factored in.
Price including customs duty: 104,100 ₽.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra: A True Flagship with Leica Camera
If you want the absolute maximum and don’t mind paying a bit more, look here. Xiaomi 17 Ultra is built without compromises: a huge 6.9-inch OLED screen, the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and Leica optics where the 200 MP telephoto pulls distant subjects as if you walked right up to them. This is a device that confidently captures sunsets, handles heavy games, and doesn’t hesitate with twenty open tabs.
Xiaomi is a real camera phone
The 6,000 mAh battery lasts a full day of active use, and there’s NFC and fast charging. You’re getting the global version, so there won’t be any language surprises or awkward translations. In terms of specs-to-price ratio with coupons, this is arguably the most interesting flagship in the lineup: you get top-tier hardware and a camera on par with a real dedicated camera, while paying noticeably less than for a comparable iPhone.
Price including customs duty: 99,100 ₽.
Honor 600 Pro: Why You Should Buy the Honor 600 Pro
And here’s an option for those who want everything official and risk-free. Honor 600 Pro is sold as Rostest EAC certified, meaning you get a device tailored for the Russian market, with support for the necessary frequency bands and no warranty issues. The shell already includes Google Gemini, so the AI assistant works right out of the box.
From a distance, the smartphone looks very similar to iPhone 17 Pro Max
By the way, we also tried the regular version without the Pro suffix, and it turned out to be a real top pick for its price: it’s easy to mistake for an iPhone, and the price tag is pleasantly surprising.
The internals are solid and well-balanced: a 6.57-inch AMOLED screen, a Qualcomm processor, and a quad-camera setup with a main 200 MP module. The 7,000 mAh battery with 80W charging eliminates any battery anxiety, and the phone charges incredibly fast. There’s eSIM support along with two physical SIM slots, which is convenient if you’ve already gotten into virtual plans. For this price, it’s one of the smartest ways to leave iPhone without overpaying.
Price including customs duty: 63,000 ₽.
