Explainers
How we test, and the science behind the scores.

How we test speakers and microphones
A phone's speaker can play a big role in how useful a device is for media, and its microphone useful for phone calls. Here's how we test those two components.

How we test charging
Not all phones charge at the same speeds, and plenty of companies report higher speeds than phones actually reach. Here's how we test charging claims.

How we test performance
How a smartphone performs has a major impact on day-to-day use. Here's how we test the performance of smartphones.

How we test batteries
We thoroughly test phone batteries to see which devices last longer under a variety of different workloads. Here's how we conduct those tests.

How we test cameras
The camera of a smartphone has become the most important component to many people. Here's how we test smartphone cameras and what our camera scores mean.

How we test displays
A smartphone's display is the main way you actually interact with it. Here's how we test phone displays, and what our results actually mean.