We take a look at each cellphone in real-world eventualities, specializing in its options, design, efficiency, cameras, battery life and total worth. We doc our findings in an preliminary assessment that’s periodically up to date when there are new software program updates, or to check it towards new telephones from opponents resembling Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
Photography
Photography is a serious focus for many telephones lately, so we take photos and movies of varied topics in a spread of settings and lighting eventualities. We check out any new digital camera modes, resembling ProRes Log video that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, or the Magic Editor picture device that launched with the Google Pixel 8 collection.
Battery life
Battery testing is carried out in a spread of methods. We assess how lengthy a cellphone lasts throughout a typical day of use and be aware the way it performs throughout extra targeted classes of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We additionally conduct a video playback take a look at, as a easy, replicable measure of pure battery life, which is not at all times included within the preliminary assessment however generally added later in an replace.
Performance measuring
We use benchmarking apps to measure every cellphone’s efficiency, alongside our personal anecdotal experiences utilizing the cellphone for our assessment. Most notable are how the graphics and animations look. Are they clean? Or do they lag or stutter? We additionally take a look at how shortly the cellphone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations, and how briskly the digital camera app opens and is able to take a photograph.
We carry out processor-heavy duties like enhancing photographs, exporting movies and taking part in video games. We consider whether or not a more recent model of a specific cellphone contains sufficient options to make it value upgrading from older fashions.
Read extra: How We Test Phones