10 Smartphones That Failed to Inspire Buyers In 2010

by Don Reisinger

RIMs BlackBerry Torch was the first smartphone from the venerable mobile company to offer BlackBerry OS 6. But after much fanfare upon its release, the Torch has become yet another BlackBerry on store shelves. It hasnt reached the heights of the iPhone or the Droid X, and the average consumer probably isnt thinking about RIMs alternative when compared to those giants.

Although the Palm Pre was originally made available last year, the Palm Pre Plus made its debut earlier this year on several carriers. It featured more storage, a slightly revamped design, and an improved keyboard. But after the initial announcement and launch, the Pre Plus was treated much like its predecessor—as an also-ran.

When the T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide launched earlier this year, it enjoyed some attention. But as news of the iPhone 4 arrived, and other Android-based devices started hitting store shelves, the myTouch 3G Slide was largely forgotten by consumers. It did relatively well at first, but it didn’t have the longevity some of its more popular counterparts enjoyed this year.

The Xperia X10 Mini Pro was supposed to be Sony Ericssons next big push in the mobile market for those who wanted ultra mobility. But when the device launched, it was largely ignored by consumers that were focused more on the leaders in the space. Plus, its tiny 2.6-inch touch screen didnt help its chances of appealing to consumers that were used to much bigger alternatives.

When the Motorola i1 was first announced, some wondered if the mobile vendor would have another winner on its hands. But further inspection of Motorolas touch-screen smartphone revealed that it was a hobbled alternative. The device runs Android 1.5, making it practically obsolete out of the box. Plus, its 3.1-inch display pales in comparison to the Droid Xs 4.3-inch screen. If customers were looking for Motorola smartphones this year, the i1 didnt top the list.

The main issue with the T-Mobile HTC HD2 in 2010 was its operating system. The device, which originally retailed for the high price of $200, ran Windows Mobile 6.5 out of the box. That alone hurt its sales, and caused most consumers to turn away. Microsoft is trying to revive its ailing mobile business with Windows Phone 7, but overcoming the decline of its mobile mind share due to Windows Mobile 6.5 could be difficult.

RIMs BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 is a capable, nice smartphone for the average enterprise customer. But as the mobile company offered the smartphone to customers, it failed to receive the kind of hype that major devices, like the Motorola Droid X or iPhone enjoyed. It didnt even get the attention of the BlackBerry Torch. That has helped the Curve 3G 9330 join this list.

The Dell Aero was a mess from the beginning. The device ran Android 1.5 at launch, making it immediately obsolete. Costing $100 with a two-year contract, it didnt seem like the best option for either those on a budget or those looking for a top-of-the-line product. The Dell Aero has become one of the forgotten Android devices in the market, and for good reason.

Like the Palm Pre Plus, which improved upon the original Pre, the Pixi Plus improved upon its successor. The device boasts 3G Mobile Hotspot functionality, among other features. But upon its launch, like the Pre Plus, few paid much attention. Its quickly becoming clear that if the HP-owned Palm is going to be a success in the mobile market going forward, it will have some work to do.

The Motorola Defy isnt a bad phone. In fact, its designed to withstand tough treatment, like dropping it on a hard surface or putting it in water. And it was only recently unveiled. But already the device doesnt seem to have the staying power that Motorolas other devices, like the Droid X have. When that product launched, critics, future customers, and everyone else were talking about it. The device enjoyed outstanding hype. But sales of Motorola Defy arent taking off. And due to its ability to withstand accidents, it features an aesthetic that wont appeal to everyone.