Ringtones are a crucial part of your lifestyle, whether you realize it or not. If you hate your ringtone or feel it’s too boring, you might not be inclined to answer. That being said, here is a ranking of the worst and best ringtones, starting with ones I think should be eliminated off the face of the Earth.
The worst ringtones:
Arpeggio: Arpeggio just feels like another generic app ringtone you could pick up on the App Store. It has no identity, no difference in tone and it doesn’t make me feel like I want to pick up my phone when someone calls. The only reason I’m giving it a 4/10 is because it at least doesn’t repeat itself on a loop.
Sprinkles: What’s even supposed to be going on here? I hear a bunch of bubbles popping and then a xylophone, but after that it’s total chaos. I guess it’s supposed to be a bit quirky, but the dissonance is non-existent and the melodies don’t line up. 3.5/10 for an attempt at creativity, but I feel this is something I could make if I mashed a few sounds together on GarageBand.
Dollop: This ringtone had so much potential if they had aligned the occasional whistle with the piano keys, but instead, they decided to make the sound the same tone. If it was ascending slightly and then jumped back up, it would be much more used. 3/10 because I would’ve loved to hear this more but unfortunately we’re stuck with a boring combination.
Quad: Quad is supposed to be a message ringtone, not a caller one. If I heard this coming out of my pocket, I would think it’s a notification. Doesn’t do its job and is too soft for me. 2/10 at best.
Valley: Usually, we say, ‘Last but not least,’ but this is definitely last and least for a reason. I feel the ringtone makers just needed to meet a quota and decided to create a short combination of all the worst aspects on this list and stick the most useless name for a ringtone. 1/10; please get this out of my ears immediately.
The best ringtones:
Reflection: Does its job, knows its place and doesn’t try to be something it isn’t. Even though it’s overused, there’s a reason Apple made this their default; it’s perfect for everyone. The only con is I just feel that I’m about to answer a business call every time I hear this. Solid 7/10.
Unfold: I love this ringtone, but its beginning makes it seem like one of those ads you hear about a medication that’s going to list a thousand side effects. The ending is poetic, however, and is the main reason for this 8.5/10; it just ties in so beautifully with the rest and doesn’t seem that someone slapped some sounds together (looking at you Valley).
Tilt: They say enjoy the simple things in life, and I’m definitely enjoying this one. Tilt is simple; a vibration of three different tones repeated, but it feels so calm and soothing rather than trying to do so much. It also adds its own touch on an old telephone ring, giving it this techy vibe while still retaining the main essence. A 9/10 masterpiece.
Daybreak: Since when did Apple have a hybrid of classical and Lofi music available? This is something I would listen to on repeat for ten hours. It’s just so calming that you would pick up on an unknown caller and not immediately close their face, only to listen to the ringtone. My only slight problem with Daybreak is it’s not really suitable for a ringtone; something about just doesn’t scream, ‘Your phone is ringing’. 9.5/10, and if you were looking for something peaceful, there you have it.
Bell Tower: I’m biased, because this is my current ringtone, but it just signifies what a ringtone should be; personalized, upbeat and alerting. It combines an old device not used much today and amplifies it to make it seem newer. Bell Tower has everything; a repeating ring that doesn’t get boring, and something that makes you want to get up and answer. 10/10, and I would highly recommend you try it yourself for a week or two.
