We take a look at each cellphone in real-world eventualities, specializing in its options, design, efficiency, cameras, battery life and general 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 equivalent to Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.
Images
Images is a serious focus for many telephones today, so we take footage and movies of varied topics in quite a lot of settings and lighting eventualities. We check out any new digital camera modes, equivalent to ProRes Log mode that debuted with the iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max line, or the Magic Editor picture device that launched with the Google Pixel 8 sequence.
Battery life
Battery testing is performed in quite a lot of methods. We assess how lengthy a cellphone lasts throughout a typical day of use and notice the way it performs throughout extra targeted periods 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 all the time included within the preliminary assessment however typically added later in an replace.
Efficiency measuring
We use benchmarking apps to measure every cellphone’s efficiency, alongside our personal anecdotal experiences utilizing the cellphone for our assessment. Of notice are how graphics and animations look. Are they easy? 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 enjoying video games. We consider whether or not a more recent model of a selected cellphone consists of sufficient options to make it price upgrading from older fashions.
Learn extra: How we test phones