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Independent cell phone reviews, Compass Scores from dozens of expert critics, and specs side by side. Browse every phone we cover below, or jump straight to the latest rankings.

Last updated October 23, 2026

Top-Rated Phones, Ranked

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ZTE nubia Flip
7.2
Mid-range ZTE nubia Flip
ZTE · Android 13
Compass Verdict

A budget-friendly foldable offering good performance and acceptable photo quality, but cutting corners in user features.

Pros
+ Inexpensive for foldable
+ Solid battery life
+ Decent performance
+ Compact design
+ Fast charging
Cons
− No water resistance
− Limited software updates
− Slippery design
− Cover screen functionality
− Poor camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A05s
7.1
Samsung Galaxy A05s
Samsung · Android 13
TCL Flip 3
7.0
TCL Flip 3
TCL · Custom Kai OS
Xiaomi Redmi 13C
7.0
Xiaomi Redmi 13C
Xiaomi · Android 13
HMD Pulse Pro
6.8
HMD Pulse Pro
HMD · Android 14
Nokia 3210 (2024)
6.8
Nokia 3210 (2024)
Nokia · Custom Nokia OS Series 30+
Nokia C210
6.6
Nokia C210
Nokia · Android 13
Punkt MC02
6.5
Punkt MC02
Punkt · Custom Apostrophy (Based on AOSP 13)
Compass Verdict

Offers strong privacy controls but demands a high price and subscription.

Pros
+ Privacy-focused design
+ Customizable interface
+ Long battery life
+ Secure Swiss VPN
+ Minimalistic style
Cons
− Mediocre camera quality
− High subscription cost
− Dated hardware features
− Limited mainstream apps
− Dim display brightness
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
9.0
Premium Apple iPhone 11 Pro
Apple · iOS 13
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
9.0
Flagship Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple · iOS 15
Compass Verdict

The decision between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max essentially comes down to screen size and battery life. If you want the best of both — and don’t mind the price tag — the Pro Max is the ultimate 2021 iPhone model.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
8.9
Premium Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung · Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Samsung Galaxy S8
8.9
Premium Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung · Android 7.0 Nougat
Pros
+ Future-proof features and performance
+ Blazing performance
+ Stunning design
+ Gigabit LTE support
+ MicroSD support
+ Plenty of internal storage
+ All-day battery life
+ QuickCharge and wireless charging support
+ Crisp, vibrant display
+ Great camera (even in low lighting)
Cons
− Slippery finish
− Darker colors are fingerprint magnets
− Hard-to-find fingerprint scanner
− Screen measurement might mislead
HTC One (M8)
8.9
Mid-range HTC One (M8)
HTC · Android 4.4 KitKat
Pros
+ Sleek and elegant phone design
+ Excellent speaker sound quality
+ Fast, lag-free performance
+ Color accurate and bright display
Cons
− Mixed camera performance
− Non-removable battery
− Poor repairability
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
8.9
Premium Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Apple · iOS 15
Compass Verdict

If you’ve bought an iPhone in the last couple years, the newest model is more of the same — albeit it better. But for first-time iPhone buyers, creatives, those looking for the absolute best mobile experience available, or owners of much older iPhones, the iPhone 13 Pro is a powerful, premium phone. Be warned, however, it has a price tag to match.

Pros
+ Improved battery life
+ Highest performance available
+ Fast 120Hz refresh rate display
Cons
− Minimal design changes
− 4K video restricted to 128GB
− Fast charging limited to 20W
Apple iPhone X
8.9
Premium Apple iPhone X
Apple · iOS 11
Pros
+ Stunning display
+ Blazing performance
+ FaceID security
+ Premium design
+ Excellent camera (even in low-light)
Cons
− No microSD support
− Price
− Will likely need a case for durability
− Gestures require a learning period
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To ensure accuracy, this page has been reviewed and fact-checked by Carl Perlas, Jon Stone and Branden S. as part of our editorial review process. Learn how we score.

Last updated: October 23, 2026 · See an error? Report it