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Phones, tablets, laptops and wearables, compared on tested numbers
SideBySide Devices compares smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables side-by-side using real benchmark scores and tested battery life rather than spec-sheet promises. It's for anyone deciding what to buy next and whether the upgrade is actually worth it.
Tested, not transcribed
A spec sheet tells you a phone has a certain chip; it doesn't tell you how that chip performs after twenty minutes of gaming, or how long the battery really lasts on a normal day. The comparisons here lead with real benchmark scores and battery tests, and the analysis reflects the devices on sale from October 2025. Prices and specifications are refreshed daily, since both move constantly.
Every category is compared on the same columns, so a $499 Pixel and a $1,299 Galaxy are judged on the same sheet and you can see exactly what the extra money buys, or doesn't.
Top devices by category
The home page sorts by what you're shopping for, because a single best device means nothing without a use case. A gaming phone is judged on sustained performance and cooling; a budget phone on how many years of updates it will get for the price.
Each pick links to a fuller comparison where the benchmark numbers sit beside the competitors' numbers, so best budget phone is a claim you can check rather than one you take on faith.
- Flagship phone: iPhone 16 Pro Max, A18 Pro, 6.9-inch display, $1,199
- Android flagship: Galaxy S24 Ultra, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 200MP camera
- Budget phone: Pixel 8a, Tensor G3, seven years of updates, $499
- Premium tablet: iPad Pro M4, tandem OLED, 13-inch display
- Ultrabook: MacBook Air M3, 18-hour battery, fanless, $1,099
- Gaming phone: ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro, 165Hz, AirTriggers, no throttling
Who it's for
People replacing a phone that has slowed down, students picking a laptop that will last the course, parents choosing a tablet, and anyone who wants a gaming phone that doesn't throttle. Wearables get the same treatment as phones and laptops. If you've ever kept two review tabs open trying to line up the numbers yourself, this is that work done for you.
Check the details before you buy
Prices and specifications change frequently. Always verify current details with the manufacturer or retailer before ordering, because a configuration or a price can shift between the day a device is tested and the day you buy it.
The blog carries the longer comparison guides under Master Device Comparisons, the compare-all page has the full tables, and the contact page is open for questions and corrections.