It’s funny how we always get caught up chasing the highest benchmark numbers, but in reality, day-to-day usage tells a different story. Synthetic tests like Geekbench or AnTuTu are fine for snapshots, but things like sustained performance (how well it throttles under real-world load) and software optimization make a huge difference—especially across Android vs. iOS.
Battery testing has gotten better but still rarely reflects heavy, mixed-use scenarios (lots of apps, real 5G use, navigation, etc.), so long-term reviews or those that follow the phone over months—like what GSMArena’s endurance testing or Anandtech’s deep dives offer—add more context. I’d argue there’s also not enough discussion about update policies, thermal design, and reception quality, which are critical after the hype wears off.
Connectivity is important, but unless you live somewhere with real mmWave rollouts and next-gen Wi-Fi, it rarely changes the day-to-day experience—at least for most people. The “best” phone depends a lot on consistency and how little it gets in your way after the honeymoon period ends.