Seven cell phones that are not worth it in 2026 and their recommended alternatives

Escolher a cell phone just for its low price can lead to a frustrating experience, with crashes, limited performance and few resources for everyday tasks. Especialistas in technology identified seven models that do not pay off the investment in 2026, considering limitations in processing, construction and functionalities. Atrelados to them, there are modern and complete alternatives, with better cost-benefit, autonomy, durability and agile performance. The analysis considers not only the price, but the set of features offered compared to more balanced competitors.

The cell phones recommended in this selection lack essential features such as NFC, 5G and efficient processors. Muitos suffer from slow multitasking, excessive heating and low battery life. Além also receive updates for short periods, compromising longevity. The prices quoted were verified in May 2026 on platforms such as Amazon, Shopee, Mercado Livre and Casas Bahia.

Samsung Galaxy A06 versus Motorola Moto G06

The Samsung Galaxy A06 doesn’t make up for it due to a limited package that includes flimsy construction, lack of NFC, and basic performance with modest power efficiency. The MediaTek Helio G85 chipset results in frequent crashes and poor fluidity in games.

In contrast, the Motorola Moto G06 offers good performance without breaking the bank, as well as features that are missing from the Samsung model:

• 6.9-inch Tela IPS with 120 Hz for fluid browsing
• Bateria 5,200 mAh with up to 49 hours of autonomy
• Processador Helio G81 Extreme with 4GB RAM + 8GB Boost
• Suporte to NFC for contactless payments
• Preço from R$633 at Shopee

The Moto G06 also stands out for its fast loading speed and for maintaining fluidity in social networking and music streaming applications.

Motorola Moto G05 and Samsung Galaxy A14: obsolescence of old chips

The Motorola Moto G05 is slow in multitasking and heavy games due to the outdated 12 nm chip. Esse processor consumes more energy, heats up excessively and affects battery life, reducing the overall user experience. The cameras also leave a lot to be desired in terms of quality.

The Motorola Moto G15 presents itself as a superior alternative:

• 50 MP main Câmera with artificial intelligence
• Processador Helio G81 Extreme with up to 12 GB RAM Boost
• 256GB internal Memória for ample storage
• 5,200 mAh Bateria with up to 40 hours of battery life
• Tela Full 6.7-inch HD+ with 1,000 nits of brightness
• Disponível on Mercado Livre from R$899

Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy A14 suffers from a limited brightness screen that makes it difficult to use outdoors, basic performance with crashes when multitasking and slow loading. The absence of NFC leaves the device outdated.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G adequately replaces the A14 with:

• Durabilidade proven with up to six years of updates Android
• Resistência IP54 against water and dust
• Conectividade 5G and NFC
• Processador Exynos 1330 for fluid execution
• 6.7-inch Tela Super AMOLED with 90 Hz and vivid colors
• 5,000mAh Bateria with 25W Super-Fast Charging
• Preço on Mercado Livre from R$998

Chinese Celulares with unfavorable value for money

The JOVI Y31 can be useful for those who prioritize battery life and intense use outside the home, but it disappoints in general performance and photographic quality, not quite justifying the price compared to more complete competitors. The model does not offer a good financial return considering its value.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G appears as a superior alternative with:

• Conjunto advanced photography with 108 MP + 8 MP ultra-wide camera
• Estabilização optics and artificial intelligence features for sharp images
• Tecnologias modern technologies like 5G and NFC
• MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra processor for advanced performance
• 6.67-inch Tela AMOLED with 120 Hz and total fluidity
• 5,110 mAh Bateria with 45 W charging
• Disponível on Amazon from R$ 1,399

The problematic Igualmente is the JOVI V50 Lite, which does not compensate for the high price in relation to what it delivers. Lançado in May 2025 for R$3,199, the current price of around R$2,999 puts the model at a disadvantage compared to more balanced rivals with a better value proposition.

The Motorola Moto G86 offers the best price-performance ratio:

• Bateria 5,200 mAh with up to 40 hours of autonomy
• Processador Dimensity 7300 with 8GB RAM + 16GB Boost
• 256GB internal Memória and 5G connectivity
• Tela 6.7-inch pOLED with 120 Hz for immersive gaming
• Classificação IP68 and IP69 against water and dust
• 50 MP main Câmera with optical stabilization
• Disponível on Amazon and Mercado Livre for R$ 1,647

Samsung Galaxy A25 and A24: absence of 5G and reduced update

The Samsung Galaxy A25 is not long-lasting despite offering just four years of operating system updates and five years of security. Pelo priced, delivers little difference, significantly reducing cost-benefit compared to more complete and modern rivals.

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G offers superior durability:

• Até six system updates Android and six years of security updates
• Certificação IP67 against water and dust
• Built-in NFC and artificial intelligence features
• Tela Super AMOLED with 6.7-inch Vision Booster
• Processador Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 with 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking
• 5,000 mAh Bateria with up to 29 hours of videos
• Câmera 50 MP main and 12 MP front for sharp photos
• Preço at Amazon from R$ 1,659 with 256 GB

The Samsung Galaxy A24 has limitations that restrict demanding use, with the absence of 5G and only 4 GB of RAM in the base version. Poor performance in heavy games makes the device not very versatile for users who demand more from the device.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G represents a significant advance:

• 2.9GHz Processador Exynos 1580 with 8GB RAM for full speed
• 256GB internal Memória for abundant storage
• 5,000 mAh Bateria with 5G connectivity for long sessions
• Tela Super AMOLED with 6.7-inch Vision Booster and 120 Hz
• Câmera 50MP main and 12MP front for sharp photography
• NFC and artificial intelligence for increased convenience
• Disponível at Shopee from R$ 1,922 with 256 GB

Analysis demonstrates that investing in newer models offers not only better performance and durability, but also greater longevity in terms of support and software updates. Consumidores who prioritize cost-benefit and long-term experience should consider recommended alternatives rather than outdated models.