Our picks for some of the weirdest smartphones of the last decade

Need some weirdness in your life? Well, take a look at some of these smartphones that defines the word “weird” for better, or for worse

But before we go to the list, let’s sort this out first: what defines a weird smartphone?

A “weird smartphone” is generally considered to be a device that deviates from the typical design and features of mainstream smartphones. Some characteristics that might define a “weird smartphone” include:

1. Unique design: The smartphone might have an unusual shape, size, or overall aesthetic that sets it apart from other devices.
2. Unconventional features: The smartphone might have features that are not typically found on other devices, such as a built-in projector, dual-screens or rollable displays.
3. Limited availability: The smartphone might only be available in certain regions or through specific channels, making it difficult to obtain.
4. High price: The smartphone might be priced significantly higher than other devices in its category, making it less accessible to most consumers.
5. Niche market: The smartphone might be designed for a specific group of users or to perform a specific function, making it less appealing to the general public.
6. Conceptual: The smartphone might be a concept that not yet released or a prototype that is not yet in mass production.

Keep in mind, what is considered “weird” is subjective and can change over time as technology and consumer preferences evolve. Now with the dilemma out of the way, let’s get down and crazy with the 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐟𝐲 𝐚𝐡𝐡𝐬 of the smartphone world.

LG Wine Smart (D486)

This smartphone was designed to resemble a flip phone and was marketed toward older consumers. It had a small touchscreen display and physical buttons for easy dialing and texting.

Who wants a keypad phone with a teeny-tiny touchpad screen? Now, you can do it at the same time! This is nothing new as there are similar devices such as the Samsung Folder series, and the modern equivalents such as the Cat S22 Flip, and the Sunbeam F1 (throw in the Unihertz Titan, but it’s not really a flip phone, but more of a touchscreen-keyboard homage to the Blackberry phones of yesteryear). But the LG Wine Smart basically started the fad and made it hip so that’s why up to this day, these phones are considered ‘sought-after’ even for us.

Kyocera Echo

This smartphone had a unique dual-screen design, which allowed users to use two apps at the same time or create a larger display for watching videos or browsing the web.

Dubbed as the very first ‘foldable phone with two screens’, the Kyocera Echo has a lot to prove, and long before actual foldable phones hit the market today, this is our only choice. Sadly, the Echo suffers from a buggy UI, mediocre performance, and a huge black bar in the middle, destroying the illusion entirely.

Samsung Galaxy Round

This smartphone had a curved display, which was marketed as a way to improve the viewing experience for movies and videos.

Samsung’s answer to LG’s G Flex is this charmer, but we picked the Galaxy Round because the curve is much more pronounced and eye-catching than the G Flex’s lowkey approach and emphasis on its ‘self-healing back’ rather than the ‘flex’ instead.

NEC Medias W

This smartphone had a unique flip-out design, which allowed users to use it as a traditional smartphone or as a device with a full QWERTY keyboard.

Now, this is what the Kyocera Echo wants to be but fell short. On the other hand, the NEC Medias W is really cool-looking for its time, and we’d pay anything just to get ahold of one of these babies.

Amazon Fire Phone

This smartphone had a unique 3D display feature, which allowed users to see a 3D effect on certain apps and games. Additionally, it came with a built-in shopping assistant that could scan barcodes and recognize products.

This is Amazon’s attempt in building its own “ecosystem” akin to Apple and its iPhone lineup. It failed miserably though: it’s like a shopping store with features from a phone, since instead offering real features, they resort to trying to trick consumers to buy more from them. Well deserved, Amazon!

YotaPhone

This smartphone had a unique dual-screen design, which featured an e-ink display on the back of the device, which could be used to read books, check notifications, and conserve battery life.

This is perfect for readers and smartphone users alike, and it’s the best of both worlds, sadly it gained almost no traction outside their home market, Russia.

These smartphones may have been considered strange or unusual for their time but it’s important to note that technology and design are always evolving and what may have been considered strange or unusual in the past may become mainstream in the future.