Regrettably for these forgotten phone models, have you ever heard of them?

Beside the well-celebrated smartphones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, there lies a realm of devices overshadowed by the limelight. These phones, once promising, now dwell in the shadows of neglect. Today, 24h Technology sheds light on these underrated devices and unveils the reasons behind their unfortunate fate!

*The following list is referenced from Android Authority.

1. Asus Zenfone 9: The Underappreciated Gem of 2022

Did you know which smartphone was the most overlooked in 2022? It’s none other than the Asus Zenfone 9. This device, deemed underrated, bears the weight of underestimation not from its users, but rather from its own creators.

At the time of its launch, Asus Zenfone 9 boasted the most powerful configuration, featuring the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a camera cluster led by a 50 MP main sensor, and IP68 water resistance.

Moreover, it sported a hand-friendly design with a screen stopping at 5.9 inches – a desirable trait for Android users craving a compact phone akin to Apple's iPhone mini lineup.

However, Asus had different priorities, channeling all efforts into their gaming phone lineup and cutting back on production of this flagship model, resulting in severe shortages at major retailers.

Consequently, Asus Zenfone 9 slowly faded into obscurity when placed alongside the flagships from Apple and Samsung.

2. realme GT 2 Pro: The Forgotten Flagship

In the early days of 2022, the realme GT 2 Pro debuted to the joy and anticipation of realme users.

However, that joy was short-lived as supply disruptions and the failure to meet the criteria of a perfect flagship led users to gradually forget about the device, opting for alternatives instead.

The specifications of the realme GT 2 Pro didn't quite hit the mark, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip under the hood and a sleek flat OLED display... Unfortunately, despite being a 2022 flagship, the device lacked water resistance alongside a price tag that wasn't exactly budget-friendly at launch, sitting at 749 EURO (approximately 18.7 million VND).

Furthermore, the Achilles' heel of the realme GT 2 Pro is its limited availability in many countries, forcing users to reluctantly opt for 'hand-carried' experiences, consequently diminishing the device's value and causing potential buyers to hesitate.

3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G: A Phone Worth Buying, But Ahead of Its Time

Continuing the list of forgotten phones today, you might be surprised to find Samsung's foldable flagship making an appearance – yes, none other than the Galaxy Z Flip4 5G.

It's known that the Galaxy Z Flip4 5G perfectly fits the bill of a new flagship with its powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and a sleek folding mechanism that everyone dreams of owning.

However, the excessive adherence to tradition ironically becomes the double-edged sword for the safety of the Galaxy Z Flip4 5G, leading to lower sales figures compared to its predecessor.

Overall, the Galaxy Z Flip4 5G doesn't offer many upgrades compared to its 'old' version, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. From design to internal features, they are nearly identical except for the price difference between the two products.

Of course, if you were to choose, you'd opt for the version with 'similar traits' but at a better price than the Galaxy Z Flip4 5G. From there, you can understand that when the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G ceases to be sold entirely, the Galaxy Z Flip4 5G will 'shine', becoming a worthwhile foldable phone in its segment.

4. Sony Xperia 5 IV: A Forgotten Phone?

You might think that the Sony Xperia 5 IV is forgotten when the company decides to produce them in limited quantities, targeting specific users – those who specialize in smartphone photography.

However, you should know that its predecessor, the Sony Xperia 1 IV, boasted impressive sales despite its hefty price tag of over 1,600 USD, leaving a mark on users worldwide. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 IV, priced lower at just 1,000 USD, gradually fades from memory.

The Sony Xperia 5 IV offers reduced specifications compared to the Sony Xperia 1 IV, yet its not-so-affordable price is the primary reason for its neglect. Despite being equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and a trio of 12 MP cameras with various specialized shooting modes.

5. Vivo X80 Pro: The Underrated Flagship

Despite boasting a quality camera setup paired with ZEISS optics, fate hasn't been too kind to help the Vivo X80 Pro make a perfect impression in the eyes of modern tech users.

The standout specs of the Vivo X80 Pro include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, fast charging capabilities with both wired 80 W and wireless 50 W, support for IP68 water resistance, and the latest-generation fingerprint sensor under the 6.78-inch OLED display.

Furthermore, the product's camera setup features impressive specifications, especially when combined with the ZEISS brand, showcasing the brand's determination to conquer the mobile photography market.

However, a critical weakness has prevented the Vivo X80 Pro from achieving great success in the market, stemming from its somewhat excessive price tag, equivalent to around 1,300 EURO (approximately 32.6 million VND), on par with the well-established iPhone 13 Pro Max.

This somewhat led users to compare the prices of the two products, leading them to choose 'playing it safe' rather than opting for a newly emerging flagship with impressive specifications.

Conclusion

Above, we've introduced to you some smartphones that were underrated in 2022, listing some reasons why they faced less fortunate fates.

What do you think about the smartphones mentioned above? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below! Thank you for following along.

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