As all smartphones of 2025 launched by companies in India, I am going to reveal the list of 5 worst smartphones (absolutely useless!) of 2025. So if you want to save money, stay away from them in 2026!
Today I am going to talk about the smartphones that have been launched by companies in 2025 and that seem like a direct attack on the intelligence of the users. The phone manufacturers had launched these phone in special events, during special seasons by advertising as if they were bringing some revolutionary technology, but reality of these brands are very different. These products are just like old wine in a new bottle… the “new” is only in the words or presentations not in the physical product!
Based on tech experts, user reviews on X/Reddit or on brand forums, and my own understanding, I’ve compiled the list for worst smartphones of 2025 that will save both your money and your sanity. So sit back, have some tea, and read this amazing article with facts below!
1. Apple iPhone Air (September 2025, Price: Starting from ₹1,19,990)
iPhone 17 Air is the Apple’s thinnest phone ever and the funny thing is that behind this superficial thinness of 5.6mm, the most essential features have been hidden. The battery lasts less than 6 hours with heavy use. And if you think to play games, then the battery will last for 3-4 hours. Meaning you’ll be constantly searching for a charger and on longer runs it won’t make sense.
Apart from that by spending so much big you will only get a single 48MP lens, no telephoto, means no amazing low-light performance. In India, mostly people buy an iPhone for camera, but this phone lacks in that department. When you’re paying ₹1.20 lakh, at least give us a decent camera setup!
Last, The design of this product is so thin that you’re afraid it might break when you hold it it or keep in your pocket, and it generates so much heat that it feels like a heater for the winter.
Gadgetsloud Warning: Well, nobody demanded a slim or thin phone from Apple. Still Apple launched it to gain the publicity. If you absolutely must buy an iPhone, spend ₹20,000 more and get the iPhone 17 Pro or Save money and Get standard iPhone 17 that have 2 camera lens and offers bigger size battery and easily fits in your packet. Otherwise, by buying this “iPhone Air 17,” both your money and your phone will vanish into thin air!
2. Google Pixel 9a (March 2025, Price: Starting from ₹44,999)
This isn’t an upgrade… it’s “upgraded garbage”!
Google launches a new phone every year, but in 2025, they broke all records for “not offering anything new.” This year Pixel 9a launched and this phone is nothing but a clone of the Pixel 8a. It has an old Tensor G4 chip (4nm) which designed by Google and manufactured by Samsung Foundry. The problem is not with the phone, the problem lies in their chip. Tensor G4 chip is manufactured by Samsung and here it fails the product because this chip has heating issues which downgrade the overall performance.
I am quite aware about this Tensor chip because I also own Google Pixel 6a and it heats a lot. When hotspot is turned ON, and you use camera to record something, the phone heats and it is quite common when you do multitask. In summer, the situation is too worse and sometimes you have to turn off the phone manually.
Due to this Old Tensor chip (manufactured by Samsung Foundry), the camera still makes you cry. Regarding Gaming? Forget it! Multitasking? Run one app, and the other will slow down or you have to shut down Pixel 9a due to heating issues. They increased the price by adding AI features, but even those are incomplete and glitchy as processor has weak built!
Gadgetsloud’s advice: If you’re a Pixel fan, get the Pixel 10 at a discount as it comes with Tensor G5 which manufactured by TSMC on a 3nm process. This brings better efficiency, reduced overheating, ~34% faster CPU performance on average, improved AI processing, and longer battery life claims. Otherwise, check out the OnePlus 15 or Samsung S25 series or wait for Pixel 10a. As per rumors, because Pixel 10 is a hit and users are happy, the company will bring Tensor G5 in Pixel 10a next year in 2026 (Thanks to TSMC too for this).
3. Nothing Phone (3A) Lite (March 2025, Price: ₹20,000)
Not “Lite,” this is for people with “lightweight” brains!
Don’t be fooled by this phone’s beautiful transparent body! It’s a dust collector. What amazing thing did they do with the Glyph interface? They cut out the actual Glyph lights and removed the telephoto lens. Inside, they put a mid-level Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro, 8GB RAM, Full HD+ AMOLED Display having 120Hz refresh rate… same as CMF Phone 2 Pro. Software updates company claim up to 3 major updates but Sometimes they come, sometimes they don’t.
The funniest part: The company’s own CMF Phone 2 Pro offers better specs and build quality for only ₹20,000. Instead of Nothing Phone (3A) Lite, if you go with CMF Phone 2 Pro, you will get better camera setup with nearly same specs and also available around Rs 18,500. The smart choice would be go for CMF Phone 2 Pro and say NO to Nothing’s 3A Lite.
4. Realme 14X (January 2025, Price: ₹15,000)
It has an IP68 rating, but their brains are waterlogged! This phone offers IP68 water resistance in the budget segment (applause!)… but they put a 720p HD+ display in it (oh no!). Is it fair that people are still seeing 720p screens in 2025 after paying ₹15,000? Especially when the ₹10,000 Samsung Galaxy F16 offers Full HD. The Dimensity 6300 processor can handle basic tasks, but it starts struggling after opening just two or three apps. The camera is also lackluster, even in daylight. This phone is useless and being a buyer you must check for other better alternatives!
Gadgetsloud Verdict: This phone is for people who want to use their phone in the rain but don’t care about quality. It’s better to look at the Realme P4X 5G or the Poco M7 or Galaxy F16.
5. Samsung Galaxy A56 (February 2025, Price: ₹39,999)
Not the “A” series, this is the “Upset” series!
What kind of joke is Samsung playing in the mid-range? They’ve given it an even weaker chip than last year’s A55, the Exynos 1580, which gets as hot as a frying pan even with 5G usage and light gaming. The main culprit is the chip which designed by Samsung and Manufactured by Samsung Foundry. This phone situation is same as Pixel 9a… The product is decent, but its chip compromises its performance as it is not manufactured by TSMC!
Apart from that, The camera upgrade is only in name; the low-light performance remains the same. No IP rating, no expandable storage.
The most painful truth: Instead of A56, we recommend Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon varaint) having Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. This is a flagship product offers better performance, camera, and software support. Its current price is around Rs 46,000… but during special days like Christmas, New Year Eve, Lohri/Makar Sakranti, Holi, Good Friday, you can get it around Rs 39,999 on Flipkart!
Big Trends of 2025: “Filler Phones” and “Offline Traps”
Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi budget models: Sold in offline stores with the lure of “heavy RAM,” but the processors are so weak that the phones start faltering after 6 months. While buying these brands phones, avoid Unisoc chip as the CPU of this brand is weak and you won’t get top class performance!
Samsung A/F series: Old design, new price! False promises of software updates and if these are being sold with Exynos chip, simply avoid!
Infinix and Tecno: Introduced gimmicks like flip phones, but service and parts availability are zero. Don’t try these experiments in India! Finally, My advice:
If you’re planning to buy a phone in 2026, keep this list of 5 phones in mind. Stay away from them. These were just experiments by the companies, designed to waste your money.
But… if your budget is really tight, and you need a phone in these segments, then consider these options:
- ₹15,000-20,000: CMF Phone 2 Pro, Samsung Galaxy F16, Realme P4X 5G, Redmi Note 14 5G
- ₹25,000-35,000: iQOO 15 (Value King), iQoo Neo 10 (Best for gaming), and Motorola Edge 70
- ₹40,000-50,000: Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon Variant), OnePlus 13R
- ₹50,000 and above (Premium Segment): iPhone 17 (if you’re in the Apple ecosystem), Samsung S25+ (All-rounder), Google Pixel 10.
Remember, a good phone isn’t one with aggressive marketing, but one that handles your daily tasks easily, lasts 2-3 years, and doesn’t give you the headache of “Oh, this feature is missing!”
So be smart, buy smart! Because your money is your hard-earned money, not some company’s.
Did we miss anything to highlight here? Please let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to share with others!
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