How we work · Last updated March 2026
We publish these guidelines in full so you know exactly how GSMTechTok operates — how devices are tested, how scores are determined, how commercial relationships work, and what happens when we make a mistake.
GSMTechTok accepts no payment, advertising arrangement, or free product in exchange for positive coverage. Review units loaned by manufacturers are returned after testing. We purchase retail units for all comparative testing. Our scores and verdicts are determined solely by the editorial team and are never shared with manufacturers before publication.
Every device we review is used as a primary SIM device for a minimum of five days before the review is published. We do not base verdicts on hands-on time at press events. Our testing protocol covers:
Our overall score (0–100) is an editorial judgement, not a mathematical average of sub-scores. It reflects how well the phone serves its target buyer at its price point. A 70/100 budget phone that delivers excellent value is not inherently worse than a 90/100 flagship — the scores are contextual.
Sub-scores (Display, Camera, Performance, Battery, Value) each run 0–100 and are weighted categories in the overall score, but editorial discretion applies. A phone with a catastrophic battery (score: 40) that is otherwise excellent will have its overall score significantly dragged down.
Score tiers: 90–100 Exceptional · 80–89 Very good · 70–79 Good · 60–69 Average · Below 60 Below average
GSMTechTok participates in affiliate programmes including Amazon Associates, Awin, and others. When you click a buy link and make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This income helps fund our independent testing.
Affiliate relationships do not influence our scores, verdicts, or editorial coverage. We do not recommend products we would not recommend without the affiliate arrangement. We do not publish native advertising, sponsored reviews, or paid placements. Advertising on GSMTechTok (display ads, newsletters) is kept strictly separated from editorial.
If we publish incorrect information, we correct it promptly and transparently. Corrections are noted inline in the article with a clear "Correction" label showing the original text and the corrected text. We do not silently edit articles. Minor typographical corrections are made without notation. Factual errors receive a dated correction notice.
To flag a factual error, email editorial@gsmtechtok.com with "Correction:" in the subject line.
All reviews, news articles, and buying guides published under GSMTechTok editorial are written by human journalists. We do not publish AI-generated reviews or AI-generated specifications. We use AI tools for spell-checking and internal research — not for generating published prose. Every article carries a byline that reflects the person responsible for the content.
Questions about our editorial process?
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