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Cell Phone & Smartphone Reviews

Updated: Dec 3, 2024 16:24
#1
alaScore 100

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

“The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers stunning hardware, lovely cameras, and much-improved specs —...

63 expert reviews

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#2
alaScore 99

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

“If you like big phones and need all the latest and greatest features, it's hard to go wrong with...

34 expert reviews

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#3
alaScore 99

Google Pixel 9

“The Google Pixel 9 is one of the best Pixel phones Google has ever made, and it has nothing to...

73 expert reviews

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#4
alaScore 98

Apple iPhone 16

“The iPhone 16 is a fantastic all-around smartphone. If you're in the market for a new iPhone...

74 expert reviews

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#5
alaScore 98

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

In the end, the iPhone 16 Pro is shaping up to be the iPhone to get this year - the Max is too...

50 expert reviews

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#6
alaScore 98

Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro

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#7
alaScore 98

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

“The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an entertainment powerhouse. It's a truly excellent foldable and...

48 expert reviews

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#8
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G

“The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the most complete, most capable, and most creatively...

102 expert reviews

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#9
alaScore 97

Oppo Find X8 Pro

“The Oppo Find X8 Pro is more than just the versatile smartphone camera; it's an outstanding all...

17 expert reviews

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#10
alaScore 97

Google Pixel 8a

We would still have liked to recommend the Pixel 8a, but unfortunately, at third-party retailers...

83 expert reviews

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#11
alaScore 97

Google Pixel 9 Pro

And yes, we'd agree the Pixel 9 Pro is mostly exciting as a vehicle for Google's AI pursuits - if...

41 expert reviews

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#12
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 / Samsung Galaxy Fold 6 5G

“The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 further refines the size, shape, weight, and design to make it the...

61 expert reviews

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#13
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

“The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a very good foldable held back by a higher price and tough...

58 expert reviews

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#14
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

“The Galaxy S24 FE shouldn't be your first choice, but if you want a big phone with great battery...

45 expert reviews

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#15
alaScore 96

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

In the end, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is quite probably the finest camera with a phone attached to it...

39 expert reviews

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#16
alaScore 96

Xiaomi 14

However, subpar battery life continues to plague Xiaomi's phones and despite the versatile selfie...

52 expert reviews

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#17
alaScore 96

Honor Magic6 Pro

Honor's luxurious Magic 6 Pro is a forward-looking phone with advanced AI features, but it...

53 expert reviews

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#18
alaScore 96

Honor Magic V3

With all things considered, the Magic V3 is a great all-around option if you're out there looking...

21 expert reviews

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#19
alaScore 96

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra / Motorola Razr+ 2024

All things considered, as small-size foldables go, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is quite the...

23 expert reviews

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#20
alaScore 96

Nothing phone (2a)

“The Nothing Phone 2a's low price, fun design, colorful photos, strong performance, and masses of...

63 expert reviews

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#21
alaScore 96

Motorola Edge 50 Pro

All things considered, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro may just be worth a recommendation - with a...

40 expert reviews

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#22
alaScore 96

Apple iPhone 16 Plus

“The iPhone 16 Plus does everything the excellent, smaller, and cheaper iPhone 16 does, just with...

19 expert reviews

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#23
alaScore 96

OnePlus Nord 4 5G

So, do we recommend the Nord 4? For the most part, yes. Once the dust (and pricing) settles, it...

32 expert reviews

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#24
alaScore 96

Samsung Galaxy A55

All in all, the Galaxy A55 is a good phone, but not at this price. We suspect other cheaper or...

52 expert reviews

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#25
alaScore 96

Nothing CMF Phone 1

We have no doubt that the CMF Phone 1 will find its fanbase.

39 expert reviews

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    Buying Guide

    Buying Guide - Cell Phones

    Cell phones have become the indispensable personal technology device of the 21st century, and it is increasingly difficult to think of a time when we did not have instant mobile telecommunications connectivity available in the convenience of a pocket-sized device. Cell phones are evolving to allow faster texting, Web surfing, GPS navigation, and social networking while keeping up with their day job - voice calling. There is an almost limitless selection of cell phone models on the market, but purchasing a cell phone is ultimately about choosing a service provider as well – finding the provider with the network technology that meets your individual needs is the key to making the right choice.



    Contents

    Cell Phone Network Formats

    Cell phones and network services are available in two major (and largely incompatible) formats that offer different advantages:

    • CDMA – CDMA network coverage is very strong in the United States, especially in rural areas that are otherwise inaccessible to wireless communications, and thus are a popular choice for domestic consumers. Sprint, Verizon, MetroPCS and US Cellular are the major CDMA carriers.
    • GSM – GSM network coverage is good in the United States, but much stronger throughout the world, and is a common choice for international consumers. GSM also has convenient SIM card technology, which makes it easier to swap and upgrade phones. AT&T and T-Mobile are the major GSM carriers.

    Rare exceptions do exist. Some GSM phones do not work overseas, while a few of the newer CDMA cell phones can accommodate GSM networks internationally. Confusing? A little bit, but if you do your homework and ask questions, you will find a cell phone and a service provider that works for you.

    What to Look for in a Cell Phone

    Style: Flip phones and candy bar models are the most common, but slider phones are popular as well. Swivel phones are also available, but they are relatively few in number. Standard cell phones, for people who use them mostly for simply making and receiving phone calls, come in a compact package at an excellent price – however, texting and advanced Internet connectivity are not optimized. Smart phones and keyboard devices are larger and heavier, but accommodate texting, emailing, and web-surfing much more comfortably.

    Features: As a general rule, you shouldn't buy anything more than you need. Beyond extras such as a keyboard or web-browsing software, consider what extras you would like. Most phones feature a still camera, but many others upgrade to take full motion video. Smart phones allow you to unify all multi-media functions – pictures, video, MP3s, games, and more. GPS with directional services is an increasingly popular feature. Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and AT&T offer their own GPS services while other handsets, like the iPhone, use Google Maps.

    Bluetooth: This feature lets you wirelessly connect via low-frequency radio waves with external devices, such as a headset for making calls. Some phones support stereo Bluetooth headsets for music and other multimedia. And some can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other files with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, or printer.

    3G Network: Not all networks use the same frequencies for 3G coverage. If you want to use your phone's advanced connectivity features, you'll need a cell phone that works on your host country's 3G network. Maybe you're hearing a lot about 4G as wireless carriers begin upgrading their networks to fourth-generation wireless communications. Carriers say 4G will alleviate network congestion, and allow faster streaming, downloading, video chats, and uploading of HD videos and other large files. Anyway, phones that support the 3G networks are still fine for Web browsing, streaming videos or music, and downloading files.

    Battery Life: Large phones, especially smart phones with many features consume battery life quickly and require more frequent recharging. Simple handsets are more efficient and can be kept off the plug for much longer. At the very least, you'll want a cellular phone with more than three hours of continuous talk time and more than five days of standby time (three days for smart phones).

    Popular Cell Phone Brands

    Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson are all familiar names, and each one is known for delivering good phones at competitive prices – each of these manufacturers has models at every level of performance and price. Blackberry and HTC are leaders in the smart phone market, and are popular choices for business travelers who need connectivity on the go.

    Apple is almost a category in itself with its extremely popular iPhone. The iPhone offers full smart phone performance: beyond making and receiving phone calls, you can play MP3s, surf the web, send emails, play games, and much more. There are also a host of iPhone applications that give you GPS-enabled directions, help you find restaurants and entertainment, and provide a number of 'lifestyle enhancements'.

    Popular Cell Phone & Smartphone products

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    Cell Phones on alaTest

    alaTest.com has collected and analyzed millions of reviews from 2691 sources to help you choose the best Cell Phone & Smartphone from top brands like Apple, Htc, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and more.

    Buying Tips Read our Buying Guide
    before you make your purchase