Wirecutter explains how it tests and recommends smartphones

In short: Wirecutter says it chooses smartphone recommendations using independent research and long hands-on testing, not advertising or affiliate deals.

What happened

The New York Times’ Wirecutter shared more detail about how it vets smartphones and other gadgets. It says its recommendations come from editorial research, hands-on testing, and regular re-evaluation over time.

Wirecutter also says its work is not based on commercial relationships, like advertising or affiliate deals. (Affiliate deals are when a publisher earns a small fee if you buy something through a link.) Instead, it describes a process that can take weeks or months, includes input from subject-matter experts, and uses comparison tables to weigh different products.

For smartphones, Wirecutter says it tests many models over hundreds of hours. Reviewers use phones in everyday life, then compare them with past “best picks” and other competing phones before making a call.

Wirecutter lists specific things it looks for. The phone should feel fast in daily use. Software quality matters, including fewer preloaded apps and solid update support, and it treats outdated software or weak security as a dealbreaker. It also checks battery life, carrier compatibility (so the phone works well on major networks), and screen quality, including at least 720p resolution for budget phones. For better budget models, it looks for extras like NFC (tap-to-pay), newer Wi‑Fi, and 5G.

Why it matters

Many people buy phones based on “best of” lists online. Wirecutter’s approach is meant to reassure readers that the picks are based on testing and re-checking, more like a long test drive than a quick first look.

Source: NYTimes