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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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Motorola Edge (2025)
7.2
Mid-range Motorola Edge (2025)
Motorola Β· Android 15
Our Verdict

This phone impresses with its design and durability but falls short in performance and software support.

Pros
+ Gorgeous design
+ Bright display
+ Strong battery life
+ Fast charging
Cons
βˆ’ Sluggish performance
βˆ’ Lacks updates
βˆ’ No headphone jack
βˆ’ Reflective screen
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
8.7
Flagship Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

A stylish, premium device that excels in photography and offers advanced AI features for a seamless experience.

Pros
+ Great camera quality
+ Strong AI features
+ Vibrant display
+ Long battery life
+ Excellent design
Cons
βˆ’ High price point
βˆ’ Some AI features feel gimmicky
βˆ’ Limited raw performance
βˆ’ No charger included
βˆ’ Hefty design
Samsung Galaxy A36
7.1
Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Β· Android 15
Our Verdict

A tough phone with a robust build, offering a great screen and long-lasting battery for everyday use.

Pros
+ Bright, colorful display
+ Smooth performance
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Durable build
+ Strong software support
Cons
βˆ’ No microSD card slot
βˆ’ Average camera quality
βˆ’ Reflective screen glass
βˆ’ Plastic frame
βˆ’ Limited audio depth
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8.6
Flagship Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple Β· iOS 18
Our Verdict

A sturdy, larger phone with impressive cameras and extensive video features, appealing to creative users.

Pros
+ Big, vivid display
+ Long battery life
+ Great camera features
+ New Camera Control
+ Quality build materials
Cons
βˆ’ Large, heavy design
βˆ’ Limited AI features now
βˆ’ High price tag
βˆ’ Slow wireless charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
8.5
Premium Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple Β· iOS 18
Our Verdict

Offers robust features but lacks innovation, maintaining the same design with marginal upgrades that may not justify an upgrade for recent models.

Pros
+ 5x optical zoom
+ Upgraded ultrawide lens
+ New camera control button
+ Slightly larger screen
+ Better battery efficiency
Cons
βˆ’ Incremental updates
βˆ’ No Apple Intelligence yet
βˆ’ Pricey accessories
βˆ’ Similar design to predecessor
βˆ’ Low resolution selfie camera
Google Pixel 9 Pro
8.5
Premium Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

A good all-rounder with advanced AI features and impressive camera capabilities, but with less battery and processing power than some rivals.

Pros
+ Solid build quality
+ Impressive camera system
+ Outstanding battery performance
+ AI features included
+ Bright display
Cons
βˆ’ Heats up during use
βˆ’ Slow charging speed
βˆ’ AI features underdeveloped
βˆ’ Tends to feel bulky for some
βˆ’ Lack of expandable storage
Apple iPhone 16
8.5
Premium Apple iPhone 16
Apple Β· iOS 18
Our Verdict

A well-rounded phone offering balanced performance and great cameras for regular use.

Pros
+ Excellent performance
+ Strong camera setup
+ Durable design
+ 5 years of updates
+ Rich stereo speakers
Cons
βˆ’ Slow charging
βˆ’ Limited 60Hz display
βˆ’ USB 2.0 speeds
βˆ’ Basic design unchanged
βˆ’ Apple Intelligence delay
Sonim XP Pro
7.0
Sonim XP Pro
Sonim Β· Android 14
Google Pixel 8a
8.5
Mid-range Google Pixel 8a
Google Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

This phone offers a mix of key features from pricier models at a more accessible price point.

Pros
+ Strong AI tools
+ Advanced camera features
+ Seven years of updates
+ Bright screen
+ Pixel 8-like performance
Cons
βˆ’ Big bezels
βˆ’ Slow charging
βˆ’ Heavy for its size
βˆ’ No headphone jack
βˆ’ Plastic back
Motorola Moto G Power (2025)
7.0
Motorola Moto G Power (2025)
Motorola Β· Android 15
Our Verdict

A budget-friendly choice with a durable design and excellent battery life, but modest in power and camera performance.

Pros
+ Vegan leather design
+ IP68 dust and water resistance
+ Long battery life
+ 120Hz refresh rate
+ Wireless charging support
Cons
βˆ’ Disappointing cameras
βˆ’ Slow processor performance
βˆ’ LCD display instead of OLED
βˆ’ Limited software updates
βˆ’ Design attracts dust
TCL 60 XE NxtPaper
7.0
TCL 60 XE NxtPaper
TCL Β· Android 15
Our Verdict

A budget-friendly phone offering a unique display for comfortable reading with average performance.

Pros
+ Eye-friendly matte screen
+ E-reader capabilities
+ Expandable storage
+ Headphone jack
+ Affordable price
Cons
βˆ’ Limited software support
βˆ’ Brightness outdoors is challenging
βˆ’ Camera performance inconsistent
βˆ’ Mediocre gaming performance
βˆ’ No fast charging
Samsung Galaxy S24+
8.4
Premium Samsung Galaxy S24+
Samsung Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

A solid, well-rounded phone with good battery life and solid performance for daily use.

Pros
+ High-quality hardware
+ Outstanding seven-year software support
+ Beautiful, highly visible display
+ Excellent battery life
+ Useful AI features
Cons
βˆ’ Design lacks uniqueness
βˆ’ Camera performance in low light
βˆ’ AI features may become paid
βˆ’ No charger included
Samsung Galaxy S24
8.4
Premium Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

A well-rounded phone with strong performance and improved cameras, wrapped in a practical, compact design.

Pros
+ Solid build quality
+ Bright, vivid display
+ Excellent cameras
+ Fast processor
+ Seven-year software support
Cons
βˆ’ Limited RAM options
βˆ’ Can get warm during use
βˆ’ Complicated software
βˆ’ No charger included
βˆ’ Slippery back
Samsung Galaxy A17
6.9
Budget Samsung Galaxy A17
Samsung Β· Android 15
Our Verdict

An affordable smartphone with solid features and long-term software support, perfect for everyday tasks.

Pros
+ Bright AMOLED display
+ Durable Gorilla Glass
+ 6 years of updates
+ Improved low-light camera
+ Sleek design
Cons
βˆ’ Outdated notch design
βˆ’ Average performance
βˆ’ No stereo speakers
βˆ’ 25W slow charging
βˆ’ Average battery life
Motorola Moto G (2025)
6.9
Motorola Moto G (2025)
Motorola Β· Android 15
Our Verdict

A budget-friendly option with notable battery life and essential features for everyday use.

Pros
+ Affordable price
+ Exceptional battery life
+ Vegan leather finish
+ Generous 128GB storage
+ Stock Android 15
Cons
βˆ’ Sporadic performance stutters
βˆ’ Mediocre camera quality
βˆ’ Limited software updates
βˆ’ No charger included
βˆ’ Low-resolution display
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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