How Kimovil's Ki score works
The Ki score is Kimovil's value rating. It's automatic: our algorithm analyzes more than 800 features of each device and weighs them against its price to rank phones, tablets, TVs and other devices from best to worst value for money.
In short
- What it measures: the relationship between what a device offers and what it costs.
- What it takes into account: more than 800 features grouped by area, plus the price.
- How it changes: it's recalculated automatically when new devices appear or prices change.
- What it isn't: it isn't a user rating or a technical score that leaves out price.
- Who influences it: no one. No brand can pay to improve it, and affiliate commissions don't change it.
How we calculate it
- Features. We start with more than 800 features from the spec sheet.
- Five area scores. For phones and tablets, we evaluate five general areas and give each one a score: design and display, hardware and performance, camera, connectivity and battery. For other categories, we use the features relevant to each type of product.
- Price. With those scores, we add the decisive variable: price.
- Value-for-money Ki score. The result ranks devices by value for money.
That's why two devices with the same area scores can have different Ki scores. Even a technically inferior device can get a higher Ki score if it has a better price.
A score that changes with the market
The Ki score is relative: it compares each device with the rest of the market. It's recalculated automatically when new devices appear and when prices change.
When models with better specs arrive, older models' scores tend to drop. If their price also drops, that partly offsets the decline. That's why the same phone's Ki score can vary over time.
What it helps you compare
The same phone can be a good buy at one price and expensive at another. That's why the Ki score calculation includes price as well as the device's features.
How to use it
Start with your budget and the features you need. Then check the Ki scores of the phones you're considering and compare their differences. If a good camera or a small size is essential to you, take that into account even if another model scores higher.
The Ki score helps you rank alternatives and discover interesting products. The best choice will always depend on your needs and priorities.
Ki score and user reviews
The Ki score is calculated by Kimovil's algorithm. User ratings reflect the scores and experiences shared by the community. You can view both alongside specifications and deals.
Independent of brands and manufacturers
No brand can pay to improve its devices' position. Nor do we accept changes to the Ki score algorithm to benefit a specific model or manufacturer.
Some links to stores may earn Kimovil a commission. That commission doesn't change the Ki score. We explain this in Independence and funding.
Frequently asked questions
Does a higher Ki score mean a better phone?
It means better value for money at the current price. A more powerful phone can have a lower score if it costs significantly more.
Why has a phone's Ki score changed?
Because it's recalculated automatically when new devices appear or prices change. A model's score can drop when others with better specs arrive, and it can recover part of that score if its price falls.
Can brands or stores influence the Ki score?
No. No brand can pay to improve it, and affiliate commissions don't change it.
More about comparing phones
See how we compare prices or find phones to compare. You can also meet the team on our About us page.