The best smartphones without AI features in 2025: Expert tested and recommended

These days, it feels like AI and machine learning algorithms are being stuffed into every device, whether it makes sense to do so or not. And with almost every major brand announcing that AI will be a standard feature in new releases going forward, you may be looking for a way to opt out or avoid it entirely. Thankfully, there are still plenty of options on the market for phones that don’t force AI as an integral feature; you can even find a few “dumb” phones if you’re thinking of a total digital detox.

Also: The best phones we’ve tested this year

What is the best phone without AI features right now?

Almost every major brand still offers older phones that either allow you to opt out of or remove AI features, or that simply don’t support AI at all. The Apple iPhone 15 is a solid choice for iOS users, since it’s just one generation behind and still offers premium-grade features while allowing you to opt out of Apple Intelligence.

If you’re an Android user, you’ll have to go all the way back to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra to find a phone that doesn’t automatically include Galaxy AI support. You can keep reading below to find out more about these devices as well as the rest of my picks for the best anti-AI phones.

The best without AI features of 2025

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Why we like it: The iPhone 15 (and the 15 Plus) is the last bastion of hope for Apple loyalists who are looking to either hold off on integrating Apple Intelligence into their device ecosystem or to avoid it entirely. Since the iPhone 15 doesn’t support hardware-level AI, it’s easy to turn off or completely remove Apple Intelligence from your device for better privacy, security, and performance.

Read more: iPhone 15 review: Why I recommend this model even to ‘Pro’ users

Who it’s for: The iPhone 15 is just a single generation behind as far as iPhones go, which means you’ll still be able to keep up for years to come in terms of firmware and security updates. It also features support for the latest versions of all your favorite apps and internal storage options from 128 to 512GB.

Who should look elsewhere: Even though the iPhone 15 is a slightly older phone, it can still be pricey, especially if you’re looking for larger internal storage options for photos, videos, apps. So if you’re looking to avoid AI and save a bit of money along the way, there are more affordable options both from Apple and other brands.

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Why we like it: You have to go back pretty far to find a Samsung Galaxy S series device that doesn’t come with any sort of hardware-based AI or even support for AI apps and software. Enter the 2020 Galaxy S20 Ultra, with a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and 128GB of storage. The 40MP front camera and 108MP rear camera array give you the power to shoot pro-quality video and still photos. And with an IP68 rating for dust and moisture resistance, you won’t have to worry about a few spills or a little rain destroying your new-to-you phone.

Who it’s for: The Galaxy S20 Ultra is perfect for anyone who wants to fully avoid having to deal with Samsung’s Galaxy AI hardware and software/apps, since the device doesn’t support the technology at all. This means you won’t have to worry about disabling any settings or removing apps before you start using your phone.

Also: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G review

Who should look elsewhere: Since the Galaxy S20 Ultra is a much older smartphone, you may run into the issue of only being able to find it for sale secondhand or the eventual drop-off of firmware and security updates. So if you want a phone that is going to be able to keep up with the latest updates for the foreseeable future, you may want to consider a slightly newer model from either Samsung or a different brand.

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Why we like it: The Google Pixel 7a is the last of the Pixel line to not have native hardware-level AI. You’ll still have to disable any apps or AI-enabled software that may come preloaded on the device, but that’s easily done in your phone’s general settings. The 6.1 OLED display gives you plenty of space for video calls and streaming video, while the battery gives you up to 72 hours of use on Extreme Battery Saver mode. It also supports dual SIM card usage, making it perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to carry multiple devices for work and personal numbers or international calling.

More: Google Pixel 7a review: Meet the new best sub-$500 Android phone

Who it’s for: If you’re looking for a solid, affordable smartphone that doesn’t cram AI into every available space, the Google Pixel 7a is a great option. The Tensor G2 processor provides better efficiency for improved battery life and smoother multitasking, and even boosts computing power for intensive tasks like shooting 360-degree video.

Who should look elsewhere: The Pixel 7a is two generations behind the latest line-up of Google mobile devices, so there’s always a risk of losing support for firmware and security updates, as well as support for your favorite apps, as the company drops support for aging devices.

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Why we like it: Yes, even Motorola has decided to hop on the AI hype train, introducing Moto AI for its latest lineup of Razr and Edge smartphones. Luckily for us, the latest Moto G Power has managed to escape the same fate, which means that unlike a lot of other picks on this list, you won’t have to scrounge around for secondhand options still in good shape, and you won’t have to worry about losing support for apps or firmware and security updates in the near future.

Who it’s for: Not only has the Moto G Power managed to avoid being stuffed to the rafters with unwanted AI software and hardware, it’s also one of the most affordable smartphones on the market. Retailing for about $300 (or less if you catch one on sale), you won’t have to spend a fortune on a smartphone that still offers premium-grade features like dual SIM support, eSIM support, and expandable storage up to 1TB with a microSD card (which is a vanishingly rare feature among smartphones).

Read also: I found a $300 Motorola phone that offers flagship features at a fraction of the price

Who should look elsewhere: Since the Moto G Power isn’t a flagship phone, you do lose out on some premium-grade features like high-end cameras and on-phone editing software for pro-level photography and videography.

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Why we like it: Are you an elder Millennial who yearns for the days when you could sassily snap your phone shut to end a conversation, or who pontificates on the superiority of texting in T9? Or are you looking for a phone to help you lessen your dependence on internet-enabled devices? The TCL Go Flip 2 is a “dumb” phone that’s built to do two things: call and text. It doesn’t support AI because there isn’t enough hardware or memory to support even machine learning AI algorithms, which means it’s about the only phone on this list that’s almost immune to the AI onslaught.

Who it’s for: Whether you’re looking to start a digital detox or just want a phone that can make and receive both calls and texts, the TCL Go Flip 2 is a great option. With zero smart features, you won’t even have to worry about deleting any sneaky AI-enabled apps or exposing your personal data to TCL or your mobile carrier network.

Who should look elsewhere: Since this is a “dumb” phone, you won’t be able to use it for things like navigation. Which means you’ll have to live like it’s 2006 and carry a separate GPS device in your car or supplement your phone with a GPS-enabled smartwatch or fitness tracker. It also isn’t great for anyone who enjoys mobile photography, with a single 2MP rear camera that takes photos with worse resolution than a tintype from 1872 and zero front-facing camera (so you’ll have to guess if you’re in frame for your selfies like you’re clubbing in 2008).

An open TCL Go Flip 2 mobile phone on a grey background

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What are tariffs in the US?

The recent US tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.

CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy

Smartphones are among the most affected by the new US tariffs, with devices imported from China and Vietnam facing steep duties that could raise retail prices by 20% or more. Brands like Apple and Google, which rely heavily on Asian manufacturing, may either pass these costs on to consumers or absorb them at the expense of profit margins.

The tariffs could also lead to delays in product launches or shifts in where and how phones are made, forcing companies to diversify production to countries with more favorable trade conditions.

This is a tricky question to answer succinctly, since there are so many factors that go into buying a phone that avoids both hardware- and software-level AI integration. For iPhone users, it’s the iPhone 15 since it’s just one generation behind and allows you to opt out of, or disable entirely, Apple Intelligence. For Samsung users, it’s the Galaxy S20 Ultra, an older smartphone that doesn’t support either hardware- or software-based AI, and isn’t included in any future AI plans at Samsung.

Best anti-AI phone	Price	RAM/Storage	Battery life
Apple iPhone 15	$495	8GB/Up to 512GB	26 hours
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra	$233	12GB/128GB	12 hours
Google Pixel 7a	$354	8GB/128GB	Up to 72 hours on Extreme Battery Saver mode
Motorola Moto G Power (2025)	$250	8GB/Up to 1TB with microSD	17 hours
TCL Go Flip 2	$55	1GB/Up to 32GB with microSD	Up to 18 days on Standby mode

If you’re tired of AI getting crammed into every new device, there are still options available that either let you opt out of AI programs and delete AI-enabled apps or by virtue of being more than a few years old are left out of AI-feature rollouts. I put together a reference table of the best use-case for each phone featured on this list to help you find the right one for you.

Choose this best anti-AI phone…	If you need…
Apple iPhone 15	An Apple smartphone that doesn’t use AI. The iPhone 15 is the last Apple phone that will let you opt out of Apple Intelligence and does not use hardware-level AI.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra	A Samsung smartphone that doesn’t support AI. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is a much older smartphone, that by virtue of its age cannot support Galaxy AI.
Google Pixel 7a	A Google phone that doesn’t support AI. The Pixel 7a still supports software-level AI, but does allow you to disable and remove the app for better privacy.
Motorola Moto G Power (2025)	A Motorola phone that doesn’t support AI. The Moto G Power is an affordable smartphone that still offers premium-grade features while still avoiding support for Moto AI.
TCL Go Flip 2	A ‘dumb’ phone that isn’t capable of supporting either hardware- or software-level AI. The Go Flip 2 does two things: call and text, making it perfect for avoiding all AI integration and distracting apps.

Aside from the ability to remove AI, opt out of programs, or outright lack of support for the latest AI models, there are a few other things you need to consider when looking for an anti-AI phone:

Smart vs. “dumb”: Are you just looking for a smartphone that doesn’t cram AI in your face every five seconds? Or are you looking to fundamentally change the way you use and relate to tech? There are plenty of older smartphone models on the market that let you avoid using AI, but you can also find a few ‘dumb’ phone models for a total digital detox.
Operating system: Are you more familiar with iOS or Android? Looking to jump ship from Apple to Samsung? Each operating system has its own quirks that may or may not mesh with how you like to use your tech. And it’s important to stay up-to-date on news regarding OS updates, security, and firmware so you can squeeze every last bit of good out of your new (or new-to-you) anti-AI phone.
Price vs. value: A lot of anti-AI smartphones can be found at more affordable prices since they are a few generations behind the latest lineups from each major brand. And while it’s tempting to snap up that ultra-cheap, pre-owned iPhone 13, it’s important to consider if the cost is worth any potential headaches due to dropped device support, as well as any unsupported features like integrated voice controls.

ZDNET’s review team spends upwards of a year testing the ins and outs of every smartphone release, evaluating the day-to-day performance, camera quality, battery life and endurance, and more. Here’s a breakdown of every factor we consider before we make recommendations:

Design and ergonomics: How good a phone looks and feels plays a big role in many users’ buying journeys, so we consider these aspects heavily when testing.
Performance: Several factors affect a phone’s performance, including LTE/5G signal, battery life, and background tasks. Therefore, we typically begin our evaluations with a fully charged handset, with all background tasks closed, and with as stable of a mobile connection as possible.
Camera quality: ZDNET tests phone cameras by capturing hundreds of photos and videos of various subjects and in various lighting conditions. We also compare the output to that of older models.
Battery life and charging: It’s also important for us to evaluate how long phones last under light, moderate, and heavy usage, how long they take to recharge, and how they do it (wired, wireless, or both).
Special features: These features distinguish tested devices from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully bring added value to users, not the opposite.
Pricing and availability: Beyond budget considerations, we also note if a phone is available in the US or only internationally.

Pros of using phones without AI features

Aside from the removal of features you didn’t want in the first place, there are plenty of reasons to opt out of using AI on your phone. Phones aren’t just devices we use to call and text anymore; they have 100,000 times the processing power of the IBM computer that got us to the moon and connect us to the entire breadth of human knowledge via the internet. They also store our IDs, bank info, personal data, and the data of our friends and family. They track us with geolocation data and browsing trends. All of this data can be more vulnerable on AI-enabled devices, and both Apple Intelligence and Microsoft Co-Pilot have already come under fire for security flaws that could expose sensitive data like names, addresses, and even medical information that has been recorded in apps.

These AI programs are also constantly recording audio and video of your screen, whether you tell them to or not, to deliver personalized data reports. For Apple Intelligence, the analytical data is kept as a local log that Apple claims is never exported off the device, but as we already learned from Lopez v. Apple Inc. (the class-action lawsuit that proved Siri was recording private conversations without being activated and without the knowledge or consent of users, which were then stored on Apple servers), corporations are, at the very least, often careless with personal data. So deactivating or removing AI software from your devices is a huge step toward protecting yourself from data leaks and software exploits that allow bad actors to harvest information.

Cons of using phones without AI features

There aren’t any cons to using a phone that either doesn’t support AI at all or simply lets you opt out of the software in the sense that you’ll be walling off essential features. But there are a few things to consider if you want to opt out or remove AI software from your device.

If your phone has software-level only AI, you can safely disable and remove AI-enabled apps and programs from your phone without running the risk of damaging your phone. You may run into battery performance issues if you have a newer phone, since the operating system may run a constant check for the software/apps you removed or disabled, or even CPU performance issues, as the operating system and hardware may not reallocate those electronic resources to other features.

If your device has hardware-level AI, you have to fundamentally change the way your phone was built in order to remove AI features. Hardware-level devices are purpose-built for AI integration, and you can severely damage your phone and void your product warranty if you attempt to modify any of the internal electronics. You could also trigger a device’s kill switch if it detects abnormal voltage, which will destroy the internal electronics and brick your device. Not to mention that some brands bury terms in their EULA that allow them to void your warranty if you make any hardware modifications.

What is the price range of non-AI phones?

If you’re looking to stick with a smartphone, you can pick one up secondhand for just a few hundred dollars if you don’t mind an older or refurbished model. However, if you want a smartphone that’s just a generation or two behind and in new condition, be prepared to pay full retail price, which is about $730 for the iPhone 15 with 128GB of storage. However, if you’re in the market for a “dumb” phone, you can pick up one like the TCL Go Flip 2 for about $50; this makes it a great option for seniors on fixed incomes as well as anyone who just wants a phone that can text and make calls without any distracting apps or Wi-Fi enabled features.

Latest news on anti-AI smartphones

Almost every major phone manufacturer has announced some sort of AI implementation for their devices in recent years, including but not limited to: Apple Intelligence, Samsung’s Galaxy AI, Motorola’s Moto AI, and Google Gemini. They’ve also shifted from software-level apps to hardware-level AI, which means that going forward, it will be next to impossible to opt out of or remove AI features from your smartphone.

That depends on if your phone uses hardware-level AI or simple AI software. Apple and Samsung have confirmed that going forward, their new smartphone releases will feature hardware-level AI, which means that the program will be hard-coded into the phone itself and next to impossible to remove. Fortunately, there are plenty of phones on the market currently that allow you to opt out of AI programs or remove them entirely via your phone’s general settings.

There are a few ‘dumb’ phone models on the market if you know where to look, since they’re usually marketed toward senior citizens or very young kids who aren’t ready for the responsibility of a smartphone. They are also sometimes referred to as “feature phones” since they only have a few functions like calling, texting, and minimal photography or web browsing capabilities. And since they’re such stripped-back, basic devices, they’re often exceptionally affordable, retailing at around $100 or less if you catch one at a discount.

If your devices use “hardware-level” AI, it means that the CPU, RAM, and other physical components that make up your smartphone, laptop, or tablet are designed specifically for the high-performance computing power it takes to run LLMs, machine-learning algorithms, and other AI features they’ve decided to stuff inside. This means that it’ll be very difficult to remove from your phone as it’s almost baked-in; you may experience performance issues, cause permanent damage to your device, or void your warranty at the very least if you attempt to disable AI in hardware-level devices.

For “software-level” AI, this simply means that your smartphone, tablet, or computer has regular, consumer-grade components that are optimized for typical computing while supporting AI programs like Gemini or Apple Intelligence. These devices often have the option for you to completely remove AI-enabled apps or opt out of the AI entirely.

Latest updates

August 2025: Article first published

More non-AI phones to consider

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The Apple iPhone 14 is an older smartphone that doesn’t feature support for Apple Intelligence AI apps or software, making it a good choice for any Apple brand loyalists who are looking for a more affordable smartphone while still avoiding annoying AI.

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The Samsung Galaxy A16 is an entry-level smartphone that’s great for kids, teens, seniors, or anyone who is looking for a basic smartphone that also doesn’t support any hardware- or software-level AI. With 128GB of internal storage, a 6.7-inch display, and a 14-hour battery life, you’ll get a well-rounded device that’s great for keeping in touch with family and friends.

Two Samsung Galaxy A16 smartphones on a grey background

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The Mudita Kompakt is an E-ink, minimalist phone that gives you the look and feel of a smart device without any of the annoying AI bloatware or Wi-Fi-enabled distractions. It even features a dedicated button for hardware-level shutdown of microphones, the camera, and the GSM modem for total privacy and to ensure that you aren’t being tracked by your personal data or geolocation.

Text messaging is a key app for the Mudita Kompakt

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Smartphones Reviewed & Compared

Original Source: zdnet

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