Smartphones: Ratings of Sources
Total of 15 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Best Smartphones
by Editors of CNET
Our Assessment
CNET maintains a list of its highest-rated smartphones with continual updates. Top-rated smartphones receiving excellent ratings include the Blackberry Bold and Nokia E71. The touch-screen Samsung Omnia is praised for its ability to provide a better experience than the Blackberry Storm, while the improved HTC Touch Diamond (Sprint) and Palm Centro are recommended for first-time smartphone buyers.
10 Recommended Smart Phones
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
Our Assessment
Laptop Magazine ranks its top smartphone based on in-depth reviews. Though all receive above-average scores, only the BlackBerry Bold nabs an Editors' Choice award. Other highly recommended devices include the Samsung Impression, BlackBerry Curve 8900, HTC Fuze and Samsung Omnia. In addition to this and other roundups, Laptop Magazine publishes numerous single-phone reviews.
The Top Smartphones by OS
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment
In this roundup, phones running three of the most popular operating systems -- BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile -- are reviewed and rated. Editors determine the best-functioning smartphones in each… category, with the BlackBerry Curve and Nokia E71 taking top honors for BlackBerry and Symbian, respectively, while the HTC Touch Pro and Palm Treo Pro are the winners for Windows Mobile. The Apple and Android systems are not covered, since they appear on only the Apple iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1, respectively. Likewise, editors skip the dated Palm OS, although the Palm Centro is recommended as an entry-level choice, and the forthcoming Palm Pre receives positive buzz.
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Battle of the Touch-Screen Smartphones
by Editors of PCMag.com
Our Assessment
In this roundup of rival touch-screen smartphones, Jamie Lendino provides a brief market overview and a comparative list of top-rated devices. Full reviews reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each,… including touch-screen user interface, multimedia functionality, web browsing and call quality. While the iPhone remains the market leader for overall multimedia functionality and applications, the Samsung Omnia and T-Mobile G1 come in a close second.
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Top 10 Cell Phones
by Editors of PC World
Our Assessment
PC World tests and reviews smartphone design, features, performance and pricing. Each device is rated and ranked on a 100-point scale with the top 10 making the final cut. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 receives the highest rating and earns a Best Buy designation; other devices earning good ratings include the Motorola Motozine ZN5, Samsung Omnia, BlackBerry 8320, T-Mobile G1 and Apple iPhone 3G.
Smartphone Reviews
by Editors of InfoSyncWorld.com
Our Assessment
InfoSyncWorld.com provides a plethora of detailed standalone reviews of smartphones, covering everything from design, call quality and messaging to productivity, multimedia functionality and network support. The devices are tested, evaluated and ranked by score. The Nokia N95 8GB, BlackBerry Storm 9530 and Nokia N95 rank as the highest-scoring smartphones.
7. ConsumerReports.org
As of May 2009
Smart Phone Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
Consumer Reports rigorously tests 21 smartphones according to key performance factors, including call quality, ease of use, operating system and functionality. The recommended choices take into account overall ratings as well as unique features and price. Rankings are sorted by score as well as three device categories: office-like tasks, multimedia use and compactness.
Smartphone Reviews
by Editors of MobileTechReview.com
Our Assessment
Arranged by operating system, these detailed reviews include photos, benchmark tests results for each device's computational power and individual ratings. Test results are compared to those of similar smartphones, offering an easy way to see where a particular smartphone shines and where it falls short. The Editor's Choice smartphones for 2008 include the Apple iPhone 3G and BlackBerry Bold.
Smart Phones for Everyone
by Jeff Bertolucci
Our Assessment
The iPhone's huge success "has raised the bar among smartphone makers," says Jeff Bertolucci. In this round-up, he briefly reviews the Samsung Omnia, T-Mobile G1 and BlackBerry Bold, noting how each device… stacks up compared to the rival iPhone. The Omnia isn't as slick or seamless but provides a respectable alternative for Verizon customers. Even though the T-Mobile G1 has a good Android interface, it falls short in applications, and the sleek BlackBerry Bold offers an excellent choice for users who prefer a QWERTY keyboard.
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For iPhone, the 'New' Is Relative
by David Pogue
Our Assessment
The New York Times technology columnist David Pogue reports on the new Apple iPhone 3G. Though impressed with some of the improvements, he sees few compelling reasons for original iPhone owners to switch, especially since the upgraded iPhone 2.0 software is available for free. Otherwise, call quality is improved and net browsing is speedier.
Newer, Faster, Cheaper iPhone 3G
by Walter S. Mossberg
Our Assessment
Walter Mossberg spends two weeks with the Apple iPhone 3G and says that "it mostly keeps its promises." However, the battery life is shorter, and although the phone itself costs less, the monthly fees are much higher.
In Depth Phone Reviews
by Editors of PhoneScoop.com
Our Assessment
In addition to being one of the top sites for user reviews, PhoneScoop.com offers write-ups, video tours and product comparison charts. Links to other sites include niche phones and mobile industry news, as well as gadgets and technology.
Product Reviews: Mobile Phones
by Editors of Wired magazine
Our Assessment
Although fewer in number and shorter in length than reviews at other tech publications, these write-ups focus on key smartphone performance factors and don't mince words when products fall short of the mark.
Smartphones and PDAs
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com offers plenty of owner-written comments for smartphones, but like all consumer-written sites, the review quality varies greatly. In addition, user experience with a particular carrier can influence the reviews. The AT&T Tilt, BlackBerry Curve 8320, BlackBerry Storm and Palm Centro receive more than 100 reviews each, helping to establish a more reliable average product rating.
2008 Business Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study
by Editors of J.D. Powers and Associates
Our Assessment
This survey polls 1,388 owners about their smartphones from six manufacturers -- Apple, HTC, Motorola, Palm, BlackBerry and Samsung. Overall satisfaction is determined by four key elements: ease of… operation, operating system, physical design and handset features. Apple receives the highest marks, with the exception of its battery, and it earns a 2008 customer satisfaction award . Blackberry and Samsung tie for second, while Palm lands in last place with a below-average rating. Individual models are not reviewed or ranked.
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