How we score phones
Version 2026.09 · published September 8, 2026 · every score on this site is computed, never hand-written.
1. Spec scores — calibrated ranges
Each measurable spec is scored 0–100 against a fixed reference range that represents the realistic spread of modern phones. This means a score does not depend on the opponent: a great phone keeps its score in every matchup, and the same device gets the same score on its own page as in any comparison.
| Spec | Range (0 → 100) | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Performance score | 500,000 – 2,500,000 pts | higher is better |
| RAM | 4 – 16 GB | higher is better |
| Storage | 64 – 512 GB | higher is better |
| Screen size | 5.5 – 7.2 in | higher is better |
| Pixel density | 320 – 560 ppi | higher is better |
| Refresh rate | 60 – 144 Hz | higher is better |
| Brightness | 600 – 5,000 nits | higher is better |
| Selfie camera | 8 – 50 MP | higher is better |
| Video quality | 60 – 100 pts | higher is better |
| Camera quality | 80 – 160 pts | higher is better |
| Battery | 3,000 – 6,500 mAh | higher is better |
| Charging speed | 15 – 150 W | higher is better |
| Price | 250 – 1,500 USD | lower is better |
2. Category scores — weighted averages
Spec scores are combined into 5 categories. Each category has a weight that reflects how much it matters in everyday use:
- Performance30%
- Display20%
- Camera20%
- Battery20%
- Price10%
Camera quality is judged by an independent testing score — not megapixels. Chipset speed outweighs RAM. Informational rows (chipset names, megapixel counts) are displayed but never decide a winner.
3. The grading curve
No real phone tops every range (price pulls flagships down, charging speed pulls everyone else down), so raw averages would leave even the best device near 75. We apply one final curve so the best phone in the database maps to 95/100 — like school grades. The curve never changes the order of devices, only the scale.
4. Verdicts
In a comparison, a device must lead a category by at least 2 points to claim it. The overall winner is the device with the most category wins — or the clearly higher total (≥3 points). Otherwise we say “too close to call” and tell you which category to decide on.
5. Data & updates
Specs come from manufacturer pages and are re-verified at least monthly; every page shows its last-updated date. Scores are machine-computed from that data and versioned (2026.09) — when the methodology changes, the version changes and all pages are regenerated, so a cited score is always traceable to a published version. Machine-readable scores are available as JSON (see llms.txt).
Limitations
- Prices are typical launch MSRPs — actual street prices vary by market and time.
- Benchmark scores are approximate composites; real-world performance varies by workload.
- Software experience, update support, resale value and brand ecosystem are not scored yet.
- Specs are demo-grade during early access — always verify with the manufacturer before buying.