Updated: January 12, 2026
The smartphone industry is entering 2026 with a familiar mix of ambition and pressure: new foldables are racing toward mainstream adoption, regulators are scrutinizing mobile security more aggressively, and analysts are warning that component constraints could make phones more expensive this year. In that environment, a timely look back at the biggest smartphone misfires isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a practical guide to what not to do.
A new roundup from BGR revisits 13 of the worst smartphones ever made, from infamous safety disasters to “great hardware, wrong ecosystem” tragedies and expensive gimmicks that aged poorly.
And on January 12, 2026, the broader market context makes these lessons feel more relevant than ever: Counterpoint data reported by Reuters shows Apple leading 2025 global smartphone share, but also flags a potential 2026 slowdown tied to chip shortages and rising component costs—exactly the kind of environment where a single bad decision can become an industry-shaking failure.
Key takeaways for readers
- The worst phones failed for predictable reasons: safety lapses, rushed software, fragile first-gen hardware, or features that didn’t solve real problems.
2026 adds new risk multipliers: cost pressure from memory constraints, a growing foldable arms race, and heightened focus on device security requirements.
- Buyers can avoid the next “flop phone” by watching for early durability tests, long-term software support, and ecosystem strength—not just headline specs.
Today’s smartphone news (January 12, 2026): the stakes are rising
Before diving into the hall of shame, it helps to understand why this topic hits differently in 2026.
1) Apple led global smartphone shipments in 2025—but analysts see headwinds in 2026
Reuters, citing Counterpoint Research, reports that global smartphone shipments rose 2% in 2025, with Apple leading market share at 20%, followed by Samsung at 19% and Xiaomi at 13%.
The same report warns that the smartphone market could soften in 2026, pointing to chip shortages and higher component costs as chipmakers prioritize AI data-center demand.
Why it matters: When costs climb and demand cools, bad products don’t just disappoint—they can sink a model line, crush margins, or push a brand out of relevance.
2) India’s proposed smartphone “security” framework is sparking confusion and pushback
A Reuters report says India has circulated draft security requirements that worry major handset makers.
But on January 12, multiple outlets report that Indian authorities pushed back publicly, framing it as a consultation process rather than a finalized plan—and denying claims that companies are being forced to hand over source code.
Why it matters: Security compliance can shape hardware and software roadmaps. Phones that can’t meet standards—or require awkward compromises to do so—can quickly become “bad phones” in real-world use.
3) Foldables are accelerating—right where past failures were most dramatic
At CES 2026, Motorola introduced the Razr Fold, a book-style foldable with a 6.6-inch outer display and an 8.1-inch inner screen, signaling deeper competition in a segment that has historically been fragile and failure-prone.
Motorola also acknowledged it will share more details later, and WIRED notes the device is expected to launch this summer.
Why it matters: Foldables are where “first-gen mistakes” can be catastrophic—something the early Galaxy Fold demonstrated vividly.
The 13 worst smartphones ever made (and what each one teaches in 2026)
Below are BGR’s picks, with a plain-English explanation of what went wrong—and the 2026-era lesson each one still teaches.
1) Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (2016) — safety failures erase everything else
The Note 7’s battery failures triggered fires, bans, and an abrupt discontinuation, turning a flagship into a cautionary tale.
2026 lesson: Battery, charging, and thermal safety aren’t “nice to have.” They’re existential—especially as charging speeds and battery densities keep rising.
2) BlackBerry Storm (2008) — panic-shipping is a strategy to lose
BGR frames the Storm as a rushed response to the iPhone era, with buggy software and poor usability (and notably lacking Wi‑Fi).
2026 lesson: Being “first” matters less than being usable. A half-baked interface can kill brand trust.
3) Nokia Lumia 900 (2012) — great hardware can’t save a dead ecosystem
BGR calls the Lumia 900 a well-designed device undermined by app ecosystem weakness and platform decisions outside Nokia’s control.
2026 lesson: AI features, app ecosystems, and update commitments are now core specs. Hardware alone doesn’t win.
4) Samsung Galaxy Fold (2019) — foldables punish naïve assumptions
Early review units famously failed when people removed what looked like a screen protector—because it was part of the display. BGR also notes hinge debris vulnerabilities and durability issues.
2026 lesson: As foldables expand in 2026, durability engineering and user-proof design are non-negotiable.
5) Amazon Fire Phone (2014) — “gimmick-first” phones don’t age well
BGR points to features like Dynamic Perspective and Firefly as flashy ideas that didn’t deliver enough value, paired with ecosystem limitations.
2026 lesson: If a feature exists mainly to lock users into a store or service, buyers notice—and move on.
6) HTC Evo 3D (2011) — hardware tricks need content to matter
The glasses-free 3D display didn’t deliver in practice, and BGR says the broader experience suffered too.
2026 lesson: New display tech is back (matte screens, eye-friendly modes). If it doesn’t improve daily use, it’s a novelty.
7) RED Hydrogen One (2018) — premium pricing magnifies disappointment
BGR describes the Hydrogen One’s “holographic” promise as falling short, with limited supporting apps and missing add-ons.
2026 lesson: Charging $1,000+ demands a complete ecosystem and a clear advantage—not an unfinished experiment.
8) Kyocera Echo (2011) — being early isn’t the same as being ready
BGR argues Android at the time wasn’t ready for true dual-screen use, and the hardware struggled to keep up.
2026 lesson: Foldables and multi-screen devices succeed only when the OS and apps are designed for them.
9) Solana Saga (2023) — buzzwords don’t replace usefulness
BGR portrays it as a standard phone wrapped in Web3 branding with limited differentiated value for the price.
2026 lesson: “AI phone,” “crypto phone,” “cloud phone”—labels don’t matter if the experience doesn’t improve.
10) Palm Phone (2018) — a “phone” that needs another phone isn’t a phone
BGR criticizes the Palm Phone’s companion-device concept, tiny size, and compromises.
2026 lesson: Secondary devices must stand alone (or be clearly positioned as wearables). Confusing categories fail.
11) iPhone 6 (2014) — thin designs can backfire
BGR notes the iPhone 6’s popularity but highlights “Bendgate” concerns and durability trade-offs.
2026 lesson: With “thin phone” chatter rising again, durability must keep pace with design ambition.
12) iPhone 16e (2025) — value matters as much as quality
BGR includes it not as a broken phone, but as a questionable value proposition relative to price and compromises.
2026 lesson: In a year where prices may rise, value positioning becomes a competitive weapon—and a failure point.
13) Escobar Fold (2019–2020) — trust is part of the product
BGR calls it a scam built around flashy marketing, influencer seeding, and non-delivery to customers.
2026 lesson: In the era of viral launches, brand trust is fragile. If buyers suspect deception, it’s over.
One more safety headline worth noting: charger recall tied to explosion risk
Phone failures aren’t limited to the handset. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for Isla Rae magnetic wireless chargers, warning they can explode while in use and pose fire/burn hazards. The recall date is January 8, 2026, and it covers about 13,200 units in the U.S. (plus additional units sold in Canada).
That’s not the same as a flagship phone meltdown—but it reinforces the same lesson the Note 7 taught: power, batteries, and charging accessories can turn a convenience into a serious risk.
What 2026 buyers can learn from the worst smartphones ever
If you’re shopping this year—or watching the industry—these are the practical lessons that keep repeating across nearly every “worst phone” story.
1) Reliability beats innovation if you only get to choose one
Foldables, new battery chemistries, exotic screens, and on-device AI features are exciting—but the worst phones prove that one critical flaw can overshadow everything else.
2) Ecosystem and updates are the new “hardware”
A phone can be well-built and still fail if it lacks apps, long-term OS support, or a stable platform direction—something BGR highlights through the Lumia 900.
3) First-generation products require extra skepticism
The Galaxy Fold and Kyocera Echo show how early versions can expose untested assumptions.
Now that foldables are accelerating again in 2026, it’s worth watching early durability tests and repairability before buying day one.
4) “New modes” must solve real pain points
Display tech like TCL’s NXTPAPER approach—switching between standard and paper-like modes—sounds niche, but it’s at least designed around a clear user benefit (eye comfort and reading focus).
By contrast, several infamous failures pushed features that looked cool in demos but didn’t improve daily life.
5) 2026 may make bad phones more expensive—literally
If component constraints persist, manufacturers may be tempted to cut corners, reduce specs, or raise prices. IDC warns that a memory shortage tied to AI-driven demand could push brands into price increases or spec cuts, with downside scenarios including market contraction and higher average selling prices.
Financial Times similarly reported expectations of smartphone and PC price increases tied to memory supply pressure from AI infrastructure build-outs.
Bottom line: the “worst phones” are warning signs, not just trivia
The phones on BGR’s list span two decades of mobile history, but the themes are timeless: rushed software, weak ecosystems, fragile hardware, mispriced products, and (worst of all) safety problems.
In 2026, those mistakes collide with a market facing higher costs, intensified foldable competition, and fresh regulatory pressure. That’s why remembering the biggest smartphone failures isn’t about dunking on old devices—it’s about spotting the next failure before it lands in your pocket.
