Android Smartphone Epic Fails of 2024

The top 10 lists of the best Android smartphones are a dime a dozen because we’ve all heard of the best smartphones for Android users… But which have made it to the least-coveted list of worst? 

Which ones should you avoid spending a dime on at all costs? While it’s true that we live in an age where a smartphone is considered practically useless after a few good years (we’re talking 3-4 years, at best!), it doesn’t deny that our phones are like an extended limb.

Irrespective of whether we use our phones for work emails or keeping in touch with family and friends both near and far – our phones shape our lives. And let’s be honest – as much as we’re constantly glued to our devices – we use our phones even to chill out when we decide to check out some of the newest and best online casinos launched in New Zealand.

So here goes—our list of the least favourite Android smartphones—or, in other words, phones you should avoid considering—let alone buying!

Samsung S21 FE 5G

Samsung’s Fan Edition line of phones is designed to be exactly that—made for the fans! However, this latest release, the S21 FE, doesn’t measure up to the same standard as the previous iteration of the smartphone, the S20 FE.

Sure, the 21FE comes with 5G, which is excellent for internet speeds (in certain areas) but has some severe shortcomings. One of the main ones is doing away with the traditional headphone jack in favour of a single USB-C connection port. If you want to use traditional headphones, you must fork out extra for a converter cable. Another major shortcoming is its battery life. While Samsung themselves may put out some impressive battery life figures, the reality is a little less exciting. If you’re a power user, you’ll run out of juice before the day ends. Boo!

Samsung  galaxy S22

Uh-oh! Another Samsung phone on our list! The Samsung S2 is the company’s flagship phone, and in the past, previous models have been high-performing crowd-pleasers. Not so for the S22, which is among a specific subset of users.

Many users have noted abysmal performance and battery life with what should be a first-class phone. Some have even reported only getting approximately 2-3 hours of battery life from their phone! Unfortunately, this seems to be due to the quality assurance within the targets for the chips used, which are Qualcomm and Exynos. This is likely due to faulty/ineffective chips that have slipped through the cracks. If you find it in your phone, return it to the place that sold it.

Google Pixel 6

Google doesn’t always get it right regarding its product line. Their ecosystem is littered with abandoned projects and product flops, and, among many users, the Google Pixel 6 is just another one to add to the list.

Google’s line of smartphones continues to cause a significant buzz with every release, but they often disappoint consumers – like the Pixel 6, which can come with plenty of issues. So, what’s the problem with this phone?

Firstly, there are a lot of caveats for Google to store your data. The Bluetooth connection for audio means that the volume is deficient and the quality isn’t excellent, which can be a real hassle for calls and for playing music, videos, and games. The fingerprint scanner doesn’t do its job correctly a lot of the time. And on top of that, the cellular reception is known to suck. Not good.

Xia Mi 13 Pro

Xiaomi 13 Pro is part of the company’s flagship lineup and features many high-end specs. It is a budget -friendly smartphone that still packs a punch. The phone has a 6.39-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 855 processor, and 6GB of RAM.  If you’re looking for a capable phone that won’t break the bank, the Xiaomi 13 Pro Price in Pakistan is low and worth considering. It also has 1 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 4000mAh battery. However, the Xiaomi 1  Pro is just a successor to the 12 Pro and has no particular specs that make it unique.

How to avoid purchasing a lousy smartphone

As this list shows, just because a reputable brand produces a phone, has a high price tag, and can demonstrate that previous phone versions were excellent doesn’t mean the producer can’t make mistakes.

Buying a new phone always means taking a risk. However, there are ways to combat this.

Please don’t buy a phone close to its release date.

Waiting a few months after a smartphone’s release will allow its flaws to become apparent, which people will happily elaborate on in online reviews. These will be actual user reviews, not just those who’ve tried the phone out for a magazine review.

Do side-by-side comparisons

A particular phone you’re looking at might seem significant. Still, unless you’ve made side-by-side comparisons with competitors, you won’t know whether you’re missing out on a great camera, overpaying, or looking at a poor multi-tasker.

Be wary of the brand.

Don’t you want Google to collect all your data? It might be best to avoid a Google phone. Want to be able to purchase any peripheries you wish to? An Apple phone locks you into their line of products. Are you concerned about China? You might consider giving Huawei a miss!

As you can see, choosing the right smartphone isn’t as easy a feat as you might have thought. A lot goes into it, and you want to ensure that whichever phone you’re investing in won’t make you want to kick yourself because you failed to do the proper research.