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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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HTC Desire
8.1
HTC Desire
HTC Β· Android 2.1 Eclair
Oppo Reno2 Z
8.1
Oppo Reno2 Z
Oppo Β· Android 9.0 Pie
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
8.1
Premium Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
Samsung Β· Android 11
Our Verdict

Samsung’s latest phone release offers a modern take on the flip phone experience. It’s addressed most of the shortcomings of previous releases, but the battery and camera life left reviewers wanting. Overall, the price is likely to be the biggest factor for many buyers.

Pros
+ A modern flip phone
+ Water-resistant
+ Same price as other high-end smartphones
+ Bigger cover display
Cons
βˆ’ Disappointing camera
βˆ’ Slow charging
βˆ’ Poor battery life
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
8.1
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
Samsung Β· Android 4.4 KitKat
Pros
+ Innovative and functional curved screen
+ Fast performance
+ MicroSD card support
+ S Pen
Cons
βˆ’ Awkward for left-handed users
βˆ’ Uncomfortable grip
βˆ’ Questionable support for curved display
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
8.1
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
Sony Β· Android 5.1 Lollipop
Pros
+ Snappy performance for all tasks
+ Over 2 days of battery life during moderate usage
+ Incredibly fast autofocus
+ Highly detailed photos in bright and low light conditions
Cons
βˆ’ 720p resolution display
βˆ’ Camera lag issues when navigating app and in-between shots
βˆ’ Difficult to adjust to smaller keyboard when typing
Oppo Find X3 Neo
8.1
Oppo Find X3 Neo
Oppo Β· Android 11
Sony Xperia XZ3
8.1
Sony Xperia XZ3
Sony Β· Android 9.0 Pie
Our Verdict

While it might not provide the best camera on the market, the Sony Xperia XZ3 combines a range of capable features into one stylish bundle.

Pros
+ Beautiful design
+ Amazing display
+ Smooth performance
+ IP 65/68 waterproofing
Cons
βˆ’ Poor fingerprint sensor placement
βˆ’ Average battery life
βˆ’ Good camera -- but not as good as the competition
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
8.1
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
Samsung Β· Android 10
Asus Zenfone 7 Pro
8.1
Asus Zenfone 7 Pro
Asus Β· Android 10
Pros
+ Great selfie camera
+ Excellent display
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Lots of features on the front-facing camera
Cons
βˆ’ Expensive
βˆ’ Heavy and awkward
βˆ’ No wireless charging
βˆ’ No headphone jack
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
8.1
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
Samsung Β· Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
8.1
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
Samsung Β· Android 7.0 Nougat
Pros
+ IP68 rating for water and dust-proofing
+ Can withstand extreme temperatures, pressure, dust, shock and vibration
+ Very fast performance
+ Excellent battery life
+ Camera provides amazing image quality in almost every lighting situation
Cons
βˆ’ Expensive
βˆ’ Gorilla Glass 5 prone to scratches
βˆ’ Utilitarian design
βˆ’ Noisy dark/night-time images
βˆ’ Mediocre sunlight legibility
Doogee V30
8.1
Doogee V30
Doogee Β· Android 12
Nokia Lumia 930
8.1
Nokia Lumia 930
Nokia Β· Windows Phone 8.1
Pros
+ Wireless charging
+ Speedy performance with no lag
+ Deep blacks and vibrant colors for display
Cons
βˆ’ Poor battery life
βˆ’ Lack of games and apps
βˆ’ Sluggish camera performance
Nokia 7 Plus
8.1
Nokia 7 Plus
Nokia Β· Android 8.0 Oreo
Our Verdict

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect mid-tier phone and don’t mind a little extra heft to your mobile phone, the Nokia 7 plus is a solid option with virtually no downsides.

Pros
+ Great display contrast
+ Excellent, reassuring build quality
+ 3.5mm headphone jack
+ microSD or dual SIM support
+ Generous onboard storage
+ Android One
+ 1.5+ day battery
Cons
βˆ’ No waterproofing
βˆ’ Weak low-light camera performance and HDR
Samsung Galaxy S21+
8.1
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Samsung Β· Android 11
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Buying guide

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