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Some phones became expensive setbacks, but the available evidence does not show that all 13 devices on this list single-handedly destroyed their makers. The clearest documented examples are BlackBerry’s Z10 and Amazon’s Fire Phone: company filings recorded substantial charges tied to inventory and supplier commitments. Those costs show how a weak launch can hurt; they do not, by themselves, prove what caused a company’s eventual fate.
What “destroyed their companies” means here
The phrase is dramatic shorthand, not a proven causal verdict. The roundup named below combines different kinds of outcomes—shutdowns, acquisitions, pivots and financial trouble—and those are not interchangeable. A failed or costly handset may contribute to pressure on a business, but establishing that it alone ended a company requires evidence beyond a product write-down.
The source roundup, Gadget Review’s “13 Smartphones That Destroyed Their Companies”, lists the following devices. Its summaries are the basis for inclusion here; aside from the documented financial facts discussed below, detailed claims about each case should be read as the roundup’s account rather than independently established findings.
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- Essential PH-1
- BlackBerry Z10
- Palm Pre
- Neonode N2
- Turing Phone
- Nextbit Robin
- Sendo X
- Lumigon T3
- Creo Mark 1
- Solana Saga
- HTC One M9
- Wileyfox Swift
What the strongest financial records establish
BlackBerry’s and Amazon’s filings document product-related accounting charges. They do not measure units sold, nor do they establish that the handset was the sole cause of broader company outcomes.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
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| Phone or product family | Documented charge | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|
| BlackBerry Z10 | Approximately $934 million | BlackBerry reported a primarily non-cash, pre-tax charge against inventory and supply commitments in fiscal 2014’s second quarter, primarily attributable to Z10 devices. The company cited weak sell-through, market maturity and intense competition, among other factors. [BlackBerry Form 6-K, filed September 27, 2013] |
| BlackBerry 10 devices | Approximately $1.6 billion | BlackBerry reported a further fiscal 2014 third-quarter inventory and supply-commitment charge primarily attributable to BlackBerry 10 devices. It is not a second Z10-only amount. [BlackBerry Form 6-K, filed September 27, 2013] |
| Amazon Fire Phone | $170 million | Amazon’s 2014 Form 10-K reported Fire Phone inventory valuation and supplier commitment costs; substantially all of the amount was recorded in the third quarter of 2014. [Amazon Form 10-K, filed January 30, 2015] |
Why the Z10 charge is not the whole BlackBerry 10 story
BlackBerry’s fiscal 2014 second-quarter filing tied the Z10-related charge to inventory and supply commitments, while also describing weak sell-through amid market maturity and intense competition. It separately noted that delayed availability of enterprise platform functionality slowed adoption of BES 10. These are company-reported contributing conditions, not proof that the Z10 alone caused BlackBerry’s later business trajectory.
The subsequent approximately $1.6 billion charge was attributed primarily to BlackBerry 10 devices as a broader group. Treating both figures as Z10 losses would overstate what the filing says and conflate a specific-device attribution with a platform-wide charge.
Rank #2
- This device is locked to T-Mobile only and not compatible with any other carrier.
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
How to compare the 13 cases responsibly
The useful comparison is not a ranking of the “worst” phone. It is the difference between a documented product cost and a demonstrated corporate outcome. For most names in the roundup, the evidence cited here does not independently establish the detailed mechanism, financial scale or causal connection. The two filings provide a firmer basis to discuss charges, but even there accounting losses are not a standalone explanation of company fate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【High-definition large screen, visually stunning】Featuring a 6.6-inch In-Cell HD display with a resolution of 576×1280 pixels, the screen delivers vivid and bright colors for an exceptional visual experience. Whether watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games, everything appears clearer and smoother.
- 【Powerful Performance, Smooth Operation】Equipped with a MediaTek MTK6739 quad-core processor, combined with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, the system runs stable and efficient. Supports microSD card expansion up to 256GB, easily storing more photos, videos, and apps.
- 【Capture clarity, record brilliance】Equipped with an 13-megapixel front camera and a 16-megapixel rear dual-camera system, it meets all your selfie and everyday photography needs. Capture every beautiful moment in life with clear and natural images.
- 【Long-lasting battery life, fast charging】Features a built-in 5000mAh high-capacity battery with a Type-C charging port for faster, safer charging. Delivers powerful endurance for daily use, eliminating the need for frequent recharging on the go.
- 【Smart System, Seamless Experience】Powered by Android 12.0, featuring a clean and intuitive interface. Supports facial recognition unlocking and a triple-card slot design (dual SIM + memory card), offering flexible and convenient communication and expansion options.
Rank #4
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
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- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #3
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- Inventory and supplier commitments: The BlackBerry and Amazon filings show how unsold or devalued inventory and commitments can produce substantial costs.
- Company outcome: A shutdown, acquisition, pivot or period of financial strain must be described on its own terms; one cannot be substituted for another.
- Causation: To claim a phone destroyed its company requires evidence linking the device to the company-wide outcome, rather than merely showing that the launch was expensive or unsuccessful.
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