Best iPhone 6 alternatives: Samsung, LG, Sony and more

Despite all the hype about the upcoming iPhone 6, which Apple is expected to unveil on Tuesday, there are plenty of other good smartphones on the market or coming soon. Some of them are bigger, cheaper and have special features that may appeal to different consumers.

"A lot of the features we're looking at for the next iPhone, those are things that actually exist in a lot of Android phones," CNET senior editor Scott Stein told CBS News.

Here are some of the alternatives a smart smartphone shopper may want to consider:

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone, unveiled this week, features a large 5.7-inch display and "quad HD" resolution, which translates into 2,560 x 1,440 pixels (four times as many as regular HD), according to CNET.

Samsung also introduced a model called the Galaxy Note Edge, which features a curved edge along one side of the screen.

Price: Not announced yet, but CNET estimates that the Galaxy Note 4 may be similar to last year's model -- about $300 with a contract in the U.S. and $600 off-contract.

Sony Xperia Z3

Sony's phones may not be talked about that much, Stein said, but they "make interesting headway in terms of the waterproofing and the camera technology." The recently unveiled Sony Xperia Z3, which is expected to be available this fall, is indeed waterproof like its predecessor Sony Xperia Z2. Both models also have an impressive 20.7-megapixel camera, but the camera in the Z3 version has been updated with a few tweaks, CNET reports.

Price: Sony has not yet announced how much the new model will cost, but CNET notes the Z2 version can be purchased for $541 on Amazon.com.

Motorola Moto X

Motorola announced Friday that its newest Moto X phone will feature a larger, 5.2-inch screen and upgraded 13 megapixel camera. One of the unique features of the phone is that it will work with the Moto 360 smartwatch. CNET reports that the previous version of the Moto X also boasts great battery life.

Price: On AT&T's website, the currently available Moto X model can be purchased for the off-contract price of $399.99, or $49.99 with a two-year contract. The new Moto X will start at $500.

LG G3 phone

One of the greatest expectations that people have of the new iPhone is a larger screen, Stein said, which, again, is a feature already found in phones like the LG G3 with its 5.5-inch display. Stein notes it also has an updated processor and camera technology.

Price: The cost of LG G3 is $199.00 on a two-year-contract with Verizon; the full retail price quoted by Verizon is $599.99.

HTC One (M8)

The HTC One (M8) has a 5-inch display, stereo speakers that deliver excellent sound and a depth-sensing camera that "brings a ton of useful features," according to CNET. A version of HTC One (M8) for Windows is also available.

Price: Both HTC One (M8) and HTC One (M8) for Windows Phone are available from Verizon for $149.99 on contract and $599.99 off contract.