Concept & rare

A bulky 2013 camera-phone hybrid with 10x optical zoom, which modern multi-camera phones now beat with software and fixed lenses.

A circular wooden phone that could not make phone calls, scored 2 out of 10.

A striking concept phone with a brilliant camera, but the wraparound screen creates more problems than it solves for now.

Unique, sturdy and well built, but ergonomically it breaks nearly every rule, so it's clear why it didn't take off.

A ridiculous soap-washable phone that surprisingly keeps working even when covered in shaving cream.

An odd relic with a built-in projector that works impressively well with no lag.

Probably not a good phone, but the thermal camera is a seriously cool feature.

Better value than other rugged phones at about 300, but still not good value.

Overpriced rugged phone with poor specs that was no tougher than a cheap phone in a cheap case.

Near-identical spec sheet to the Ulefone with a weaker camera, and it fared badly in scratch, drop and golf club tests.

The first Android phone ever, now the start of his Google phone shelf.

First flexible AMOLED phone, but just a Note 3 with a smaller battery, no S Pen and a higher price; 4/10 fail.

Sat nav phone with a terrible home screen, big bezels and no headphone jack, made redundant by Google Maps; 6/10 fail.

Announced products never materialised, and the only prototype had a paper cutout instead of a display; 7/10 fail and stay clear.

Free-to-use phone that has taken orders since 2019 but never delivered, with no real footage; possibly a scam; 6/10 fail.

Decent phone but a product trying to be two products; Asus persisted for three years, making it a 5/10 fail.

Clunky, cramped 2011 dual-screen phone that the media labelled a gimmick; 4/10 fail.

Impressive privacy hardware and fast software, but expensive, short on apps and unlikely to challenge Android.

Likes most of the design and would see a fan being happy, but finds the box fairly standard and the themed icons lacking.

Impressed by the packaging and custom accessories at a normal-phone price, though the look is not to his personal taste.

His favourite so far for its classy black and gold simplicity, but the car-bonnet shape and software would not suit him long term.

Loved the packaging and accessories, with only a minor gripe that the back looks flatter than the teaser images.

A high-grade accessory set that has little to do with the phone, which is top-end in places and mid-range in others.

Innovative showpiece with disappearing cameras, but he sees little practical benefit and says it is not the most exciting concept phone.