How We Test Phones
Our review methodology, scoring system, and how we anchor to MKBHD's Smartphone Awards.
Testing duration
Every phone we publish a full review on has been used as a primary device for at least two weeks. For flagship phones we typically test for four weeks before publishing — long enough to evaluate sustained performance, battery life under varied use, and any first-firmware quirks. For follow-up reviews after firmware updates, we test for an additional one week to verify changes.
Scoring system
Our editorial scores anchor to MKBHD's award outcomes, then refine for everyday usability:
For phones too new to be covered by MKBHD's awards yet, we score on the same dimensions MKBHD uses (Phone of the Year considerations: build, display, performance, camera, battery, software, value) and align with the award score we'd expect when the phone is eligible.
What we test
- Display: brightness in indoor and outdoor conditions, color accuracy, refresh rate behavior, scrolling smoothness.
- Performance: app launch times, sustained gaming (Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves), thermal behavior under load, AI feature responsiveness.
- Camera: same scenes shot side-by-side with award-winning peers (Best Camera winners and runners-up). We test stills and video at default settings; we don't grade against unrealistic Pro settings most users never enable.
- Battery: real-world screen-on time across mixed use (mail, social, video, navigation, light gaming). We don't synthetic-benchmark battery.
- Software: time spent on first-day quirks, update cadence over the testing period, and AI feature breadth.
- Build and design: in-pocket feel, one-handed use, durability under normal handling.
- Value: price relative to peer phones, including discounted last-gen flagships.
What we don't do
- We don't run synthetic benchmarks as our primary signal. Geekbench scores don't capture sustained-load behavior or thermal throttling, which matter much more for daily use.
- We don't review pre-production units. We wait for retail firmware before publishing a review.
- We don't accept review units in exchange for positive coverage. Manufacturers occasionally provide review units; this doesn't influence scoring. We disclose loaner units in the relevant review.
- We don't fabricate scores or awards. Every "Awarded Best X" badge links to the actual MKBHD award.
When we update reviews
Reviews are updated when:
- A major firmware update changes the phone's capabilities (e.g., Galaxy AI rolling back to older Samsung phones)
- A new generation launches and changes the value proposition (e.g., iPhone 16 Pro after iPhone 17 Pro launch)
- Long-term durability issues become apparent (battery degradation patterns, hinge failures on foldables)
Updated reviews show a clear "Updated" date on the page.