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Cell Phone & Smartphone Reviews

Updated: Mar 18, 2024 17:44
#1
alaScore 100

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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

65 expert reviews

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#2
alaScore 99

Samsung Galaxy S24

“Don't let its small size fool you — the Samsung Galaxy S24 is one of the most powerful small...

58 expert reviews

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#3
alaScore 99

OnePlus 12

In the end, the OnePlus 12 makes it quite easy for us. It's so great in many ways and only has...

43 expert reviews

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#4
alaScore 98

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

“The iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the most exciting iPhone upgrades Apple's delivered in years...

46 expert reviews

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#5
alaScore 98

Xiaomi 14

Still, the Xiaomi 14 is easy to recommend as it's perhaps the most capable compact Android...

22 expert reviews

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#6
alaScore 98

Samsung Galaxy S24+ / S24 Plus

Then again, the Plus has never really enjoyed much attention from buyers, which is unlikely to...

26 expert reviews

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#7
alaScore 98

Honor Magic V2

Honor just pulled the wraps off of what is their third-generation large foldable, even though the...

35 expert reviews

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#8
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

“The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the most complete, most versatile Android smartphone you can buy...

82 expert reviews

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#9
alaScore 97

Sony Xperia 5 V

Being an expensive device makes the Xperia 5 V a tough sell, but far from impossible. This phone...

24 expert reviews

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#10
alaScore 97

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 / Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 5G

As we approach the end of the year, we turned our attention to the devices that made the biggest...

48 expert reviews

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#11
alaScore 97

ZTE nubia Red Magic 9 Pro

However, it's hard to get over the fact that this is the first Red Magic phone to overheat under...

14 expert reviews

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#12
alaScore 97

Nothing phone (2) / Nothing Phone 2 / Nothing Phone Two

But if you do, or you just want a breath of fresh air, an innovation of sorts in an otherwise...

53 expert reviews

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#13
alaScore 97

OnePlus 12R

Ultimately, whether the OnePlus 12R is merely good enough or just great for you will be decided...

22 expert reviews

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#14
alaScore 97

OnePlus Open

Yes, we enjoyed this OnePlus, both Open and Closed. It is one of the best combinations of a...

32 expert reviews

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#15
alaScore 96

Honor Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design

Besides its unique luxurious design, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic V2 RSR offers impressive...

10 expert reviews

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#16
alaScore 96

Apple iPhone 15

“The iPhone 15 is one of the most significant iPhone upgrades ever. The Dynamic Island, USB-C, a...

72 expert reviews

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#17
alaScore 96

Google Pixel 7a

“The Realme 11 Pro+ takes mid-range phone design and battery charging speeds to the next level...

70 expert reviews

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#18
alaScore 96

Google Pixel 8 Pro

“With an exquisite design, top-notch cameras, and big processor upgrades, it's Google's strongest...

48 expert reviews

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#19
alaScore 96

Honor Magic 5 Pro

“The Honor Magic 5 Pro is not a perfect smartphone, but for the right person, it comes very close...

51 expert reviews

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#20
alaScore 96

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

“While it lacks the 5x telephoto of its larger sibling, the iPhone 15 Pro is still quite a...

30 expert reviews

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#21
alaScore 96

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

Overall, we understand and support the changes Asus has introduced with the ROG Phone 8 family...

16 expert reviews

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#22
alaScore 96

Nothing phone (2a)

I had zero problems covering a major mobile trade show with this $350 Android smartphone from...

18 expert reviews

#23
alaScore 96

Sony Xperia 1 V

Everything boils down to whether the Xperia 1 V checks the most boxes on your list - if it does...

39 expert reviews

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#24
alaScore 96

Asus Zenfone 10 / Asus Zenfone 10z

We're not saying that getting the Zenfone 10 is a bad idea. It remains part of a relatively short...

43 expert reviews

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#25
alaScore 96

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (2023)

“The Galaxy Z Flip 5 keeps everything that worked about the Flip 4, then combines that with a...

65 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 2688 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