The year 2016 is about to end. While many gadgets succeeded to make a mark in this year, some were biggest flops. Here we have a list of smartphones which were released with lots of dazzles but failed to excite potential buyers.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Samsung mobiles launched its Galaxy Note 7 and it gained popularity and sells in a short time. But, the much-hyped smartphone turned into a fiasco when it went up in flames. After multiple incidents, the company had to recall the 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices which were sold initially. The reports of devices catching fire were coming from various countries even after the official recall and later the smartphone was eventually discontinued.
LG mobiles had launched its first modular design smartphone in 2016 called as the LG G5. The smartphone features a slide-out battery and a set of compatible accessories which could be attached to the device. These compatible accessories are called as ‘Friends’. Though, the smartphone didn’t meet users’ expectations. As per KoreaTimes’ report, LG had to undertake to reform in its mobile division because of the disappointing sales of G5. Moreover, the company has reported an operating loss of $132.10 million which was caused due to increased marketing expenses and slow sales of the G5 smartphone.
Freedom 251
The much-hyped Freedom 251 smartphone from Ringing Bells was claimed as the world’s cheapest smartphone that was priced at Rs 251 (around $4). The smartphone managed to receive over 7.5 crore registrations and Ringing Bells assured to deliver almost 200,000 units. Later it announced that 5,000 Freedom 251 smartphones were delivered in July this year and the company claimed that it had delivered around 70,000 handsets to registered users so far. Interestingly, the Ringing Bells itself has shut down in past weeks.
BlackBerry Priv
BlackBerry mobiles introduced its first Android mobile called as BlackBerry Priv which failed to make a mark in global smartphone market. The company sold only 600,000 units in the Q4 2016 which is much below than the 800,000 units it planned to sell.