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Expert Reviews

Cell phones, ranked by expert reviews

The cell phones we cover, ranked by what expert reviewers found and shown with Canadian launch prices, so you can see which ones are worth buying.

Last updated November 9, 2026

Top-Rated Phones, Ranked

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Xiaomi Redmi 13C
7.0
Xiaomi Redmi 13C
Xiaomi Β· Android 13
Oppo A40
7.0
Oppo A40
Oppo Β· Android 14
HMD Fusion
7.0
HMD Fusion
HMD Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

A modular device with long battery life, but the screen lacks the quality some may expect.

Pros
+ Customisation options
+ Long-term support
+ Impressive battery
+ Solid performance
+ User repairable
Cons
βˆ’ Sub-par display
βˆ’ Weak GPU for gaming
βˆ’ Limited OS updates
βˆ’ Mediocre camera performance
βˆ’ Bulky design
Minimal Phone
6.9
Minimal Phone
The Minimal Company Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

An anti-distraction phone with E Ink display, physical keyboard, and mixed functionality.

Pros
+ E Ink display for focused reading
+ Physical keyboard evokes nostalgia
+ Extended battery life with light use
+ Clear call quality
+ Access to all Android apps
Cons
βˆ’ Camera is challenging to use
βˆ’ No 5G connectivity
βˆ’ Slow performance
βˆ’ Screen ghosting on E Ink
βˆ’ Plastic build feels cheap
HMD Pulse Pro
6.8
HMD Pulse Pro
HMD Β· Android 14
Nokia 3210 (2024)
6.8
Nokia 3210 (2024)
Nokia Β· Custom Nokia OS Series 30+
HMD Barbie Phone
6.6
HMD Barbie Phone
HMD Β· Custom Nokia OS Series 30+
Our Verdict

Bright design with nostalgic charm but limited in features.

Pros
+ Unique, playful design
+ Comes with fun accessories
+ Clear call quality
+ Encourages digital detox
+ Good standby time
Cons
βˆ’ Poor battery life
βˆ’ Mediocre camera
βˆ’ Typing with T9 tedious
βˆ’ Lacks modern features
βˆ’ Expensive for what it offers
Punkt MC02
6.5
Punkt MC02
Punkt Β· Custom Apostrophy (Based on AOSP 13)
Our 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
βˆ’ Mediocre camera quality
βˆ’ High subscription cost
βˆ’ Dated hardware features
βˆ’ Limited mainstream apps
βˆ’ Dim display brightness
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
9.0
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
Apple Β· iOS 13
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
9.0
Flagship Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple Β· iOS 15
Our 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.

HMD Vibe
6.4
HMD Vibe
HMD Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

An affordable phone with basic performance but lacks future software updates.

Pros
+ Affordable price
+ Reliable for budget needs
+ Loud and clear for calls
+ Lightweight design
+ Expandable storage
Cons
βˆ’ Poor camera quality
βˆ’ No 5G support
βˆ’ Lacks software updates
βˆ’ Weak battery life
βˆ’ Bloatware included
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
8.9
Premium Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple Β· iOS 16
Our Verdict

A feature-rich, premium phone offering smooth performance and excellent camera quality, despite a familiar design.

Pros
+ Dynamic Island upgrade
+ 48MP main camera
+ Always-on display
+ Fast A16 processor
+ Stellar video recording
Cons
βˆ’ Higher cost (outside US)
βˆ’ No USB-C port
βˆ’ No major design change
βˆ’ eSIM only in US
βˆ’ Average battery life
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
8.9
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung Β· Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Samsung Galaxy S8
8.9
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Β· 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
βˆ’ Slippery finish
βˆ’ Darker colors are fingerprint magnets
βˆ’ Hard-to-find fingerprint scanner
βˆ’ Screen measurement might mislead
HTC One (M8)
8.9
HTC One (M8)
HTC Β· Android 4.4 KitKat
Pros
+ Sleek and elegant phone design
+ Excellent speaker sound quality
+ Fast, lag-free performance
+ Color accurate and bright display
Cons
βˆ’ Mixed camera performance
βˆ’ Non-removable battery
βˆ’ Poor repairability
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How to choose the right phone

Most people just buy the same brand again, or whatever the carrier pushes at the counter. Start with what you use your phone for. Then work backward to the specs that matter.

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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: November 9, 2026 · See an error? Report it