A phone review should answer one question: is this worth your money, here, in Ghana? Spec sheets and launch videos cannot answer that. So we test phones the way you use them: on local networks, with local apps, through real days of use, including dumsor.
This page explains our process, so you know what our verdicts are based on. You can also read our Reviews & Affiliate Disclosure and our Code of Ethics.
How long we test
We use a phone as our main device for long enough to see real battery life, real performance and the annoyances that only appear after a few days. Every review says how long we used the phone.
Where our review units come from
Every review says whether we bought the phone ourselves or it was lent or given by the company. Companies do not see our reviews before they are published, and they cannot change our verdict. If a phone is not worth your money, we say so.
What we test
Battery and charging
- A full day of normal use: WhatsApp, MoMo, social media, calls, photos, some video.
- How long it lasts on a single charge, and how much it charges in 30 and 60 minutes, which matters when power comes and goes.
- Whether the charger in the box (if any) supports the phone’s fast charging.
Network and calls
- Call quality and signal on Ghanaian networks, in town and in areas with weaker coverage.
- Mobile data speeds and stability, and whether the phone supports the bands our networks use.
- Dual-SIM behaviour if the phone has two SIM slots.
Everyday performance
- How smoothly it switches between apps like WhatsApp, the camera and MoMo.
- Whether it slows down as storage fills up.
- Heat during charging, gaming and video, especially in hot weather.
Camera
- Daylight, indoor and night photos, including people with darker skin tones, which some cameras still handle poorly.
- Video stability and sound.
- Front camera for selfies and video calls.
Screen, sound and build
- Brightness outdoors in Ghana’s sun.
- Speaker volume and clarity for calls and voice notes.
- How well it is built, and whether it survives a normal week in a bag or pocket.
Software and support
- Pre-installed apps and ads, and whether they can be removed.
- How many years of updates the maker promises.
- Warranty and service centre availability in Ghana.
Value
Finally, we compare the price with what else your cedis can buy, at the time of the review. Prices move with the exchange rate, so our verdict focuses on whether the phone is good value against its competitors.
If a phone is not worth your money, we will tell you, chale.
Want us to review a phone? Send us a tip through our Contact page.
Common questions
Do companies pay for reviews?
No. Companies cannot pay for a review or a better score. Sponsored content is always labelled as Sponsored and is separate from reviews.
Do you keep the phones?
Every review says where the unit came from: bought by us, or lent or given by the company. Our verdict does not depend on it.
Why don’t you list a single price?
Prices in Ghana move with the cedi and differ between sellers. We judge value against competing phones at the time of review.
Can you review a phone I’m thinking of buying?
Tell us through the Contact page. We cannot review everything, but reader requests help us decide what to test next.