Affiliate Disclosure
SmartphonesReview is reader-supported. Some links on this site are affiliate links — when you buy a phone or accessory through one of them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Where we earn
- Amazon Associates — every phone link to Amazon.com.
- Best Buy affiliate program.
- Carrier affiliate programs — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile direct.
- Manufacturer direct programs — Apple Services Performance Partners, Samsung affiliate, Google Store affiliate.
- Accessories — Anker, Nomad, Spigen, and a handful of case/charger brands we've personally tested.
What this never changes
The commission rate on a given retailer or manufacturer has never determined which phone we recommend, where it ranks in a comparison, or what we say about it. If we wouldn't buy a phone for our own teen, we don't recommend it — full stop. If the higher-commission product is worse, we'd say so on the page.
Where two phones are genuinely a toss-up, we'll usually point to the one where shipping is faster and returns are easier — not the one with the bigger commission.
What we don't do
- Sponsored content. We don't accept payment to write or place a phone.
- Hidden product placement. Every phone you see on this site is one we picked.
- Removing critical coverage in exchange for affiliate access. We've turned down two manufacturer relationships in 2025 alone over editorial-control demands.
If you ever wonder whether a recommendation was influenced by an affiliate relationship, email editor@smartphonesreview.com. We answer.