Our testing process for phones involves evaluating their features, design, performance, cameras, battery life, and overall value in real-world scenarios. We document our initial findings in a review that is periodically updated to reflect new software updates or compare the phone against competitors like Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. Photography is a key focus, where we take pictures and videos in various settings and lighting conditions, testing any new camera modes or tools that are introduced with the latest models. Battery life is also thoroughly assessed through different usage scenarios, including video calls, media streaming, gaming, and a video playback test. We measure the performance of each phone using benchmarking apps and our own experiences with the device, paying attention to graphics, animations, orientation switching speed, and camera app responsiveness.
One of the significant features we evaluate is Emergency SOS, which can be crucial in emergency situations. We conduct processor-intensive tasks like photo editing, video exporting, and gaming to gauge the phone’s capabilities. We also consider whether a newer version of a phone offers enough new features to warrant an upgrade from previous models. Our comprehensive testing process aims to provide consumers with detailed insights into a phone’s performance and features, helping them make informed purchasing decisions. The Galaxy Z Flip 5, for example, maintains similar camera hardware to its predecessor, the Z Flip 4, with improvements in image processing due to a new chip. The inclusion of features like ProRes log video on the iPhone 15 Pro series and Magic Editor photo tool on the Google Pixel 8 series are also thoroughly examined to assess their impact on photography.
We pay close attention to how well a phone performs in real-world usage scenarios, such as how long it lasts on a typical day of use, during specific tasks like video calls and gaming, and its overall battery life during video playback. In addition to benchmarking apps, we rely on our own experiences with the phone to evaluate its speed, smoothness of graphics and animations, and responsiveness of the camera app. The ability of a phone to handle processor-heavy tasks like photo editing and video exporting is also a crucial aspect of our performance testing. By comparing phones against each other and assessing their performance across a range of tasks, we aim to provide consumers with a comprehensive overview of a device’s capabilities and value proposition.
Our testing process is thorough and aims to capture the full range of a phone’s features and performance in real-world scenarios. We update our reviews periodically to reflect any software updates or new models from competitors, ensuring that our evaluations remain current and relevant. By focusing on key areas like photography, battery life, and performance, we provide consumers with valuable insights into a phone’s strengths and weaknesses, helping them make informed purchasing decisions. Whether it’s assessing the impact of new camera modes, evaluating battery life in different usage scenarios, or testing the speed and responsiveness of a phone’s performance, our testing process aims to provide consumers with a comprehensive understanding of a phone’s capabilities and value proposition.
