Concept & rare

Impressive built-in gimbal tech with excellent stabilisation and tracking, but the AI party tricks are gimmicky and durability is a worry.

Impressively wrapped display but awkward to read and use, so a C tier, suited only to digital detox users.

Technically impressive 4.9mm modular phone, but the modular idea is niche and he can't give it more than a B.

Uncomfortable square phone with a mediocre rotating camera, but great AI software and free internet, so B tier.

Swappable physical input modules are clever and satisfying, but the iPod-style module feels cheap, earning a B tier.

A Samsung Galaxy S25 with locked-down software that genuinely helps you cut distractions while keeping good hardware.

E-ink back that changes colour using no battery is cool, earning A tier despite not beating important features.

Stylish, privacy-focused phone with thoughtful software and Ubuntu dual boot, though the camera app and finish are rough.

The satellite mode really works, but the software and design feel rushed next to Crosscall's phone.

The best rugged phone he has seen, with a polished ecosystem, though it is niche and loses to Oppo.

Incredible Death Star packaging but a disappointing phone with ad-like wallpaper carousels, rescued to B tier by the glowing 3D Vader mask.

Fashionable and nicely built, but the software offers only one custom wallpaper and the unboxing is bare, so a C tier.

Great fan-service packaging and a working wand, but the phone is full of ads and sloppy software.

The standout limited edition, with thermal-reactive back, fully themed software and thoughtful packaging, so S tier.

Aimed squarely at fans, with a premium case and an AI cartoon assistant he finds strange, so a B tier.

Looks like a sports car phone with polished software; the swappable camera module is silly, but he would use it and gives it A tier.

A charming, heavily branded gag phone that is useless as a phone, earning a C tier for the brand.

The e-ink display saves power and eye strain, but slow refresh makes apps painful and modern batteries reduce the benefit.

Finds the smuggled North Korean phone disturbing, with a tracked intranet, licensed apps and automatic surveillance screenshots.

A North Korean flagship that costs close to $1,000 but looks and performs like a dated copy of a 2021 mid-range Huawei, with heavy censorsh…

Beautifully presented and heavy, but the speakers, camera and ZTE-derived software make it poor value at $5,400.

A $6,300 luxury phone whose camera loses to a $1,000 iPhone and which is built on licensed ZTE software.

He finds the rear second screen impressive, especially how it lets the main cameras be used for selfies without accidental presses.

Almost certainly a scam, and even if it arrives it is a cheap-feeling modified iPhone, so he says do not buy it.