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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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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
9.0
Flagship Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple Β· iOS 16
Our Verdict

Feels like last year’s model with a premium, but excels in display brightness and battery life.

Pros
+ Stunning display
+ Dynamic Island feature
+ Powerful A16 chip
+ Long battery life
+ Excellent camera quality
Cons
βˆ’ High price
βˆ’ Hefty and bulky
βˆ’ No major design change
βˆ’ eSIM only in US
βˆ’ Lacks Wi-Fi 6E
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
9.0
Flagship Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Apple Β· iOS 17
Our Verdict

A feature-packed phone with a sleek design but still needs extra care due to its delicate exterior.

Pros
+ Lighter titanium design
+ Advanced gaming performance
+ Impressive 5x optical zoom
+ Long battery life
+ Clear audio quality
Cons
βˆ’ Screen easily scratches
βˆ’ Slow charging
βˆ’ Action Button limitations
βˆ’ Heats up during heavy use
βˆ’ High price
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
9.0
Flagship Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Β· Android 13
Our Verdict

A powerhouse phone featuring a versatile triple-camera system and enduring battery life.

Pros
+ Impressive 200MP camera
+ Long-lasting battery
+ Built-in S Pen
+ Fast performance
+ Durable design
Cons
βˆ’ High price point
βˆ’ Bulky design
βˆ’ Charging not included
βˆ’ Slight shutter lag
βˆ’ Color saturation issues
Apple iPhone 12
8.7
Apple iPhone 12
Apple Β· iOS 14
Pros
+ MagSafe shows promise
+ Beautiful screen
+ 5G compatible
+ Great design
Cons
βˆ’ 5G taxes battery life
βˆ’ More expensive than the previous iPhone’s
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
8.7
Premium Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple Β· iOS 17
Our Verdict

A refined phone offering improved compatibility and features for a delightful user experience.

Pros
+ Lighter titanium build
+ USB-C port added
+ Fast A17 chip
+ Improved camera system
+ Action Button feature
Cons
βˆ’ Expensive pricing
βˆ’ Limited zoom on telephoto
βˆ’ Average battery life
βˆ’ No charger in box
βˆ’ Minor overheating issues
Google Pixel 8 Pro
8.7
Premium Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

This device blends AI-driven features with enhanced hardware for a balanced experience.

Pros
+ Brighter display
+ Matte glass design
+ Seven years of updates
+ Better camera zoom
+ Great AI features
Cons
βˆ’ Temperature sensor impractical
βˆ’ High price
βˆ’ Heavy
βˆ’ Processor not best for gaming
βˆ’ Battery life below rivals
Apple iPhone 13
8.6
Premium Apple iPhone 13
Apple Β· iOS 15
Our Verdict

While it’s a questionable upgrade over the already-impressive iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 brings better battery life, improved cameras, a great display, and Apple’s premium build quality to yet another generation of iPhones. As with past years, it’s only real competition (for the price) are other iPhones.

Pros
+ Great battery life
+ Brighter display
+ Best performance
+ 5G Support
Cons
βˆ’ No 120Hz display
βˆ’ Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy S23
8.6
Premium Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung Β· Android 13
Our Verdict

A small yet powerful phone with a bright screen, reliable camera setup, and improved battery life.

Pros
+ Pocket-friendly design
+ Better battery life
+ Impressive camera features
+ Strong performance
+ Solid build quality
Cons
βˆ’ Limited 25W charging
βˆ’ No microSD slot
βˆ’ Slight upgrade from S22
βˆ’ Remains expensive in some regions
βˆ’ Lacks ultra-wideband support
Google Pixel 8
8.5
Premium Google Pixel 8
Google Β· Android 14
Our Verdict

A capable phone that blends AI smarts with a strong camera, perfect for those who value easy usability and longevity in their daily device.

Pros
+ Excellent main camera
+ Bright OLED display
+ AI photo editing tools
+ Compact design
+ 7 years software support
Cons
βˆ’ No telephoto lens
βˆ’ Minimal design changes
βˆ’ Battery gets warm
βˆ’ Colors lack vibrancy
βˆ’ Hit-or-miss AI features
Samsung Galaxy S23+
8.4
Premium Samsung Galaxy S23+
Samsung Β· Android 13
Our Verdict

A solid, user-friendly phone with impressive performance and a large, bright display for everyday use.

Pros
+ Quality construction
+ Great battery life
+ Bright, colorful display
+ Reliable performance
+ Great cameras
Cons
βˆ’ No charger in box
βˆ’ Expensive price
βˆ’ Limited optical zoom
βˆ’ Lacking standout features
βˆ’ No microSD slot
Apple iPhone 15
8.4
Premium Apple iPhone 15
Apple Β· iOS 17
Our Verdict

The phone offers useful features and solid cameras, but its display may feel dated next to competitors.

Pros
+ Dynamic Island feature
+ Improved main camera
+ USB-C charging
+ Comfortable in-hand feel
+ Decent battery life
Cons
βˆ’ 60Hz display
βˆ’ Lacks telephoto camera
βˆ’ No always-on display
βˆ’ USB 2.0 speeds
βˆ’ Color options pale
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
8.4
Premium Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Apple Β· iOS 17
Our Verdict

A feature-packed large phone offering excellent battery life and ease of use for those not seeking cutting-edge technology.

Pros
+ Impressive battery life
+ Bright, vibrant display
+ USB-C charging
+ Improved 48MP camera
+ Dynamic Island feature
Cons
βˆ’ Only 60Hz refresh rate
βˆ’ No telephoto lens
βˆ’ Limited USB 2 data speed
βˆ’ No charger included
βˆ’ A16 chip dated
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
8.4
Flagship Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Samsung Β· Android 13
Our Verdict

This device offers a unique foldable experience but has a visible crease and middling battery life.

Pros
+ Sleek design
+ Improved hinge
+ Great multitasking
+ Bright screens
+ Powerful performance
Cons
βˆ’ Visible crease
βˆ’ Expensive
βˆ’ Average battery
βˆ’ Awkward typing on outer screen
Apple iPhone 14 Plus
8.3
Premium Apple iPhone 14 Plus
Apple Β· iOS 16
Our Verdict

A large phone with great battery life and good overall performance, offering a big-screen experience at a more affordable price.

Pros
+ Big display for entertainment
+ Long battery life
+ Affordable for its size
+ Durable build
+ Modern, repairable design
Cons
βˆ’ No high refresh rate
βˆ’ Older chipset used
βˆ’ Lacks always-on display
βˆ’ Fingerprint-prone finish
βˆ’ No telephoto camera
Apple iPhone 14
8.2
Premium Apple iPhone 14
Apple Β· iOS 16
Our Verdict

A reliable phone with subtle updates on camera, connectivity, and performance.

Pros
+ Improved camera features
+ Solid performance
+ Strong build quality
+ Long-term software support
+ Emergency satellite feature
Cons
βˆ’ Stuck at 60Hz display
βˆ’ Mild design changes
βˆ’ No A16 processor
βˆ’ Lacks telephoto lens
βˆ’ Slow charging speed
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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