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Cell Phone Reviews & Rankings

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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Samsung Galaxy S7
8.8
Mid-range Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung · Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Pros
+ Blazing performance
+ Comfortable grip
+ Premium design
+ Excellent low-light camera performance
+ MicroSD support
+ QuadHD display
+ All-day battery
+ Rapid/Wireless charging
Cons
− Cost
− TouchWiz interface clutter
− 7+ GB of software pre-installed
− Non-removable battery
Samsung Galaxy S9+
8.8
Premium Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung · Android 8.0 Oreo
OnePlus 6
8.8
Mid-range OnePlus 6
OnePlus · Android 8.0 Oreo
Compass Verdict

The OnePlus 6 is about as good as it gets without paying flagship prices. If you don’t mind the lack of waterproofing and don’t mind picking up a case to keep it looking good, it’s a solid value that reviewers loved.

Pros
+ Bright, vibrant display
+ Sleek design
+ Excellent value
+ Great cameras
+ Clean interface
+ Dash charging
+ All-day battery life
Cons
− No microSD support
− Fingerprint magnet
− No IP rating
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
8.8
Mid-range Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Sony · Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Pros
+ Excellent processing speed and power
+ Accurate and deep colors
+ Long battery life
+ Easy to use one-handed
Cons
− Thicker and heavier than larger smartphones
− White balance is a little off
− Back cover scratches easily
Apple iPhone XR
8.8
Premium Apple iPhone XR
Apple · iOS 12
Samsung Galaxy Note9
8.8
Flagship Samsung Galaxy Note9
Samsung · Android 8.1 Oreo
Compass Verdict

The Note 9 offers one of the most refined Android phone experiences to date. While it’s not the most pocket-friendly release on the market, its excellent cameras, effortless performance, beautiful display, and useful stylus make it a powerful, flexible option for work and play alike — albeit at a hefty price.

Pros
+ Stunning display
+ Blazing performance
+ Great cameras
+ Tons of storage
+ microSD support
+ Bluetooth LE-enabled S Pen
+ Stereo speakers
+ All-day battery
Cons
− Fingerprint magnet
− Price
− Bloatware
Apple iPhone 5s
8.8
Mid-range Apple iPhone 5s
Apple · iOS 7
Pros
+ Speedy performance
+ Beautiful display
+ Great camera
+ Flexible LTE support
+ Decent battery life
+ Solid design
Cons
− Lack of NFC support
− Mid-sized screen
− Lack of memory expansion
− High off-contract price
Samsung Galaxy S10+
8.8
Flagship Samsung Galaxy S10+
Samsung · Android 9.0 Pie
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
8.7
Premium Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung · Android 4.4 KitKat
Pros
+ Incredibly sharp and vibrant display
+ Snappy processor with no dips in performance
+ Improved camera for crisper images and better low-light photography
Cons
− Faux-leather back feels cheap
− Too big to use one-handed
− No visible difference between standard HD and QHD
OnePlus 8 Pro
8.7
Premium OnePlus 8 Pro
OnePlus · Android 10
Pros
+ Large 1440p 120Hz display
+ Impressive performance
+ Good camera results
+ Flexible camera lens options
+ Wireless charging
Cons
− Not for small hands
− Higher Price
OnePlus 3
8.7
Budget OnePlus 3
OnePlus · Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Pros
+ Great battery life
+ All-metal chassis
+ Blazing performance
+ 6GB of RAM
+ Dual SIM support
+ High level of software customization options
Cons
− Finicky camera
− No microSD support
− Non-removeable battery
− Concerns about memory availability
− Proprietary cable/charger required for quick charging
LG G3
8.7
Mid-range LG G3
LG · Android 4.4 KitKat
Pros
+ Removeable battery
+ Beautiful, crisp QHD display
+ MicroSD slot
+ Wireless Charging
Cons
− Slight performance lag
− Plastic chassis
− Large dimensions
− Mono loudspeaker
OnePlus 6T
8.7
Mid-range OnePlus 6T
OnePlus · Android 9.0 Pie
OnePlus 5T
8.7
Mid-range OnePlus 5T
OnePlus · Android 7.1 Nougat
Pros
+ Fast and smooth performance
+ Beautiful AMOLED display
+ Incredibly fast battery charging
+ Great price
+ Bezel-less
Cons
− Camera image quality lackluster
− Sharp edges make it uncomfortable to hold
− Slippery
Google Nexus 6P
8.7
Mid-range Google Nexus 6P
Huawei · Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Pros
+ Crisp, bright and vibrant display
+ Excellent main camera in almost every lighting situation
+ Super-fast performance
+ Premium metal body
Cons
− Low light pictures occasionally over-brightened or over-processed
− No expandable storage
− Protruding back panel mars sleek design
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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