Don't buy these phones (roundup)

Fact of life: not everything can be a hit. Case in point: these phones, which really, really missed the mark.

Some phones simply sacrifice too much in order to keep prices low.

(Credit: Josh Miller) 

 

It's no easy task birthing a cell phone, but despite the hard work that goes into designing and manufacturing these handsets, things can go (very) awry. If you've been thinking about picking up one of the following phones the next time you head out of the house, well, you might want to reconsider.

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The splash-resistant Reef doesn't have much going for it beyond its price.

(Credit: Josh Miller)

 
ZTE Reef (Virgin Mobile), August 2013
Ho-hum specs across the board, including 3G-only speeds, make this slow, outdated smartphone a bore. Its one saving grace: it won't cost you a dime if you buy it online, though the full $150 price tag (unlocked) may be harder to swallow for what you get

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'Vortex' is a strong name for what is essentially an underpowered smartphone.

(Credit: Josh Miller)

 
Verykool Vortex (Unlocked), July 2013
Unless you're absolutely dying for a certified rugged phone, you can get much better hardware for the $300 this unlocked handset sells for. With no 4G support, old Android 4.0, and a mediocre 5-megapixel camera, it's certainly no catch. Luckily, since it isn't being sold through a US carrier, it's easier to dodge.

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Do yourself a favor and skip this handset.

(Credit: Josh Miller)

 
Cricket Engage LT (Cricket Wireless), March 2013
Thick, heavy, sluggish, and outfitted with a poor camera. If these traits don't send you running for the door, how about the ZTE-made Cricket Engage LT's older version of Android (4.0) and $200 price tag? Other Muve Music phones are better buys.

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Don't let that pretty wallpaper fool you; the Force isn't to be reckoned with.

(Credit: Josh Miller)

 
Boost Force (Boost Mobile, Sprint), March 2013
4G capability and NFC are bonuses with this ZTE-made entry-level handset. Unfortunately, the small 4-inch screen, slow processing speeds, and very poor camera made us weep.

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This tiny, wan smartphone makes us shake our heads and wonder why.

(Credit: Sarah Tew)

 
Samsung Galaxy Discover (Cricket Wireless), May 2013
In our view, $130 is far too much to ask for an Android phone with an itty bitty 3.5-inch screen, cruddy call quality, and piddly battery life. It doesn't help that the shiny, compact Android handset runs Android 4.0 and has a wimpy 800MHz processor.