Today, it seems like AI and machine studying algorithms are being stuffed into each system, whether or not it is sensible to take action or not. And with nearly each main model asserting that AI shall be an ordinary characteristic in new releases going ahead, chances are you’ll be on the lookout for a solution to decide out or keep away from it totally. Fortunately, there are nonetheless loads of choices available on the market for telephones that do not pressure AI as an integral characteristic; you possibly can even discover just a few “dumb” telephones if you happen to’re pondering of a complete digital detox.
Additionally: The best phones we’ve tested this year
What’s the finest telephone with out AI options proper now?
Virtually each main model nonetheless gives older telephones that both assist you to decide out of or take away AI options, or that merely do not assist AI in any respect. The Apple iPhone 15 is a stable alternative for iOS customers, because it’s only one technology behind and nonetheless gives premium-grade options whereas permitting you to decide out of Apple Intelligence.Â
If you happen to’re an Android consumer, you will must go all the way in which again to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra to discover a telephone that does not routinely embody Galaxy AI assist. You possibly can hold studying beneath to seek out out extra about these gadgets in addition to the remainder of my picks for the most effective anti-AI telephones.
The perfect with out AI options of 2025
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Why we prefer it: The iPhone 15 (and the 15 Plus) is the final bastion of hope for Apple loyalists who wish to both maintain off on integrating Apple Intelligence into their system ecosystem or to keep away from it totally. For the reason that iPhone 15 does not assist hardware-level AI, it is easy to show off or fully take away Apple Intelligence out of your system for higher privateness, safety, and efficiency.
Learn extra: iPhone 15 review: Why I recommend this model even to ‘Pro’ users
Who it is for: The iPhone 15 is only a single technology behind so far as iPhones go, which implies you will nonetheless have the ability to sustain for years to come back when it comes to firmware and safety updates. It additionally options assist for the most recent variations of all of your favourite apps and inner storage choices from 128 to 512GB.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Although the iPhone 15 is a barely older telephone, it may well nonetheless be dear, particularly if you happen to’re on the lookout for bigger inner storage choices for pictures, movies, apps. So if you happen to’re trying to keep away from AI and save a bit of cash alongside the way in which, there are extra inexpensive choices each from Apple and different manufacturers.
iPhone 15 tech specs – Show measurement: 6.1 inches | Show kind: Tremendous Retina XDR | Decision: 2556 x 1179 | Refresh charge: 60Hz | Battery life: 26 hours | RAM: 8GB | Storage: UP to 512GB | Rear digital camera: 12MP, 48MP | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
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Why we prefer it: You must return fairly far to discover a Samsung Galaxy S sequence system that does not include any form of hardware-based AI and even assist for AI apps and software program. Enter the 2020 Galaxy S20 Extremely, with a 6.9-inch AMOLED show, 120Hz refresh charge, and 128GB of storage. The 40MP entrance digital camera and 108MP rear digital camera array provide the energy to shoot pro-quality video and nonetheless pictures. And with an IP68 score for mud and moisture resistance, you will not have to fret about just a few spills or somewhat rain destroying your new-to-you telephone.
Who it is for: The Galaxy S20 Extremely is ideal for anybody who desires to totally keep away from having to cope with Samsung’s Galaxy AI {hardware} and software program/apps, for the reason that system does not assist the know-how in any respect. This implies you will not have to fret about disabling any settings or eradicating apps earlier than you begin utilizing your telephone.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G review
Who ought to look elsewhere: For the reason that Galaxy S20 Extremely is a a lot older smartphone, chances are you’ll run into the difficulty of solely having the ability to discover it on the market secondhand or the eventual drop-off of firmware and safety updates. So if you’d like a telephone that’s going to have the ability to sustain with the most recent updates for the foreseeable future, chances are you’ll need to contemplate a barely newer mannequin from both Samsung or a distinct model.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Extremely tech specs – Show measurement: 6.9 inches | Show kind: AMOLED | Decision: 3200 x 1440 | Refresh charge: As much as 120Hz | Battery life: 12 hours | RAM: 12GBÂ | Storage: 128GB | Rear digital camera: 108MP | Entrance digital camera: 40MP | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
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Why we prefer it: The Google Pixel 7a is the final of the Pixel line to not have native hardware-level AI. You will nonetheless must disable any apps or AI-enabled software program which will come preloaded on the system, however that is simply finished in your telephone’s common settings. The 6.1 OLED show provides you loads of area for video calls and streaming video, whereas the battery provides you as much as 72 hours of use on Excessive Battery Saver mode. It additionally helps twin SIM card utilization, making it good for anybody who does not need to carry a number of gadgets for work and private numbers or worldwide calling.
Extra: Google Pixel 7a review: Meet the new best sub-$500 Android phone
Who it is for: If you happen to’re on the lookout for a stable, inexpensive smartphone that does not cram AI into each accessible area, the Google Pixel 7a is a superb choice. The Tensor G2 processor supplies higher effectivity for improved battery life and smoother multitasking, and even boosts computing energy for intensive duties like capturing 360-degree video.
Who ought to look elsewhere: The Pixel 7a is 2 generations behind the most recent line-up of Google cell gadgets, so there’s at all times a danger of dropping assist for firmware and safety updates, in addition to assist to your favourite apps, as the corporate drops assist for getting older gadgets.
Google Pixel 7a tech specs – Show measurement: 6.1 inches | Show kind: OLED | Decision: 1920 x 1080 | Refresh charge: 90Hz | Battery life: As much as 72 hours with Excessive Battery Saver mode | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Rear digital camera: 13MP ultrawide, 64MP essential | Entrance digital camera: 13MP | Processor: Google Tensor G2
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Why we prefer it: Sure, even Motorola has determined to hop on the AI hype practice, introducing Moto AI for its newest lineup of Razr and Edge smartphones. Fortunately for us, the most recent Moto G Energy has managed to flee the identical destiny, which signifies that not like a whole lot of different picks on this record, you will not must scrounge round for secondhand choices nonetheless in good condition, and you will not have to fret about dropping assist for apps or firmware and safety updates within the close to future.
Who it is for: Not solely has the Moto G Energy managed to keep away from being stuffed to the rafters with undesirable AI software program and {hardware}, it is also one of the crucial inexpensive smartphones available on the market. Retailing for about $300 (or much less if you happen to catch one on sale), you will not must lay our a fortune on a smartphone that also gives premium-grade options like twin SIM assist, eSIM assist, and expandable storage as much as 1TB with a microSD card (which is a vanishingly uncommon characteristic amongst smartphones).
Learn additionally: I found a $300 Motorola phone that offers flagship features at a fraction of the price
Who ought to look elsewhere: For the reason that Moto G Energy is not a flagship telephone, you do lose out on some premium-grade options like high-end cameras and on-phone modifying software program for pro-level pictures and videography.
Motorola Moto G Energy tech specs – Show measurement: 6.8 inches | Show kind: OLED | Decision: 2388 x 1080 | Refresh charge: 120Hz | Battery life: 17 hours | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB, expandable to 1TB with microSD | Rear digital camera: 8MP ultrawide, 50MP essential | Entrance digital camera: 16MP | Processor: MediaTek 6300
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Why we prefer it: Are you an elder Millennial who yearns for the times when you can sassily snap your telephone shut to finish a dialog, or who pontificates on the prevalence of texting in T9? Or are you on the lookout for a telephone that will help you reduce your dependence on internet-enabled gadgets? The TCL Go Flip 2 is a “dumb” telephone that is constructed to do two issues: name and textual content. It does not assist AI as a result of there is not sufficient {hardware} or reminiscence to assist even machine studying AI algorithms, which implies it is about the one telephone on this record that is nearly proof against the AI onslaught.
Who it is for: Whether or not you are trying to begin a digital detox or simply need a telephone that may make and obtain each calls and texts, the TCL Go Flip 2 is a superb choice. With zero sensible options, you will not even have to fret about deleting any sneaky AI-enabled apps or exposing your private knowledge to TCL or your cell provider community.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Since this can be a “dumb” telephone, you will not have the ability to use it for issues like navigation. Which implies you will must dwell prefer it’s 2006 and carry a separate GPS system in your automotive or complement your telephone with a GPS-enabled smartwatch or health tracker. It additionally is not nice for anybody who enjoys cell pictures, with a single 2MP rear digital camera that takes pictures with worse decision than a tintype from 1872 and nil front-facing digital camera (so you will must guess if you happen to’re in body to your selfies such as you’re clubbing in 2008).
TCL Go Flip 2 tech specs – Show measurement: 2.8 inches | Show kind: LCD | Decision: 2560 x 1440 | Refresh charge: Not specified | Battery life: As much as 18 days on Standby | RAM: 1GB | Storage: 8GB expandable to 32GB with microSD | Rear digital camera: 2MP | Entrance digital camera: N/A | Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 800T
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What are tariffs within the US?
The latest US tariffs on imports from international locations like China, Vietnam, and India intention to spice up home manufacturing however are more likely to drive up costs on shopper electronics. Merchandise like smartphones, laptops, and TVs might change into costlier as firms rethink international provide chains and weigh the price of shifting manufacturing.
CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy
Smartphones are among the many most affected by the brand new US tariffs, with gadgets imported from China and Vietnam going through steep duties that might increase retail costs by 20% or extra. Manufacturers like Apple and Google, which rely closely on Asian manufacturing, might both move these prices on to customers or take in them on the expense of revenue margins.Â
The tariffs might additionally result in delays in product launches or shifts in the place and the way telephones are made, forcing firms to diversify manufacturing to international locations with extra favorable commerce situations.
It is a tough query to reply succinctly, since there are such a lot of elements that go into shopping for a telephone that avoids each hardware- and software-level AI integration. For iPhone customers, it is the iPhone 15 because it’s only one technology behind and permits you to decide out of, or disable totally, Apple Intelligence. For Samsung customers, it is the Galaxy S20 Extremely, an older smartphone that does not assist both hardware- or software-based AI, and is not included in any future AI plans at Samsung.
Greatest anti-AI telephone | Value | RAM/Storage | Battery life |
Apple iPhone 15 | $495 | 8GB/As much as 512GB | 26 hours |
Samsung Galaxy S20 Extremely | $233 | 12GB/128GB | 12 hours |
Google Pixel 7a | $354 | 8GB/128GB | As much as 72 hours on Excessive Battery Saver mode |
Motorola Moto G Energy (2025) | $250 | 8GB/As much as 1TB with microSD | 17 hours |
TCL Go Flip 2 | $55 | 1GB/As much as 32GB with microSD | As much as 18 days on Standby mode |
If you happen to’re uninterested in AI getting crammed into each new system, there are nonetheless choices accessible that both allow you to decide out of AI packages and delete AI-enabled apps or by advantage of being various years previous are not noted of AI-feature rollouts. I put collectively a reference desk of the most effective use-case for every telephone featured on this record that will help you discover the correct one for you.
Select this finest anti-AI telephone… | If you happen to want… |
Apple iPhone 15 | An Apple smartphone that does not use AI. The iPhone 15 is the final Apple telephone that can allow you to decide out of Apple Intelligence and doesn’t use hardware-level AI. |
Samsung Galaxy S20 Extremely | A Samsung smartphone that does not assist AI. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Extremely is a a lot older smartphone, that by advantage of its age can’t assist Galaxy AI. |
Google Pixel 7a | A Google telephone that does not assist AI. The Pixel 7a nonetheless helps software-level AI, however does assist you to disable and take away the app for higher privateness. |
Motorola Moto G Energy (2025) | A Motorola telephone that does not assist AI. The Moto G Energy is an inexpensive smartphone that also gives premium-grade options whereas nonetheless avoiding assist for Moto AI. |
TCL Go Flip 2 | A ‘dumb’ telephone that is not able to supporting both hardware- or software-level AI. The Go Flip 2 does two issues: name and textual content, making it good for avoiding all AI integration and distracting apps. |
Apart from the flexibility to take away AI, decide out of packages, or outright lack of assist for the most recent AI fashions, there are just a few different issues it’s essential contemplate when on the lookout for an anti-AI telephone:
- Good vs. “dumb”: Are you simply on the lookout for a smartphone that does not cram AI in your face each 5 seconds? Or are you trying to essentially change the way in which you employ and relate to tech? There are many older smartphone fashions available on the market that allow you to keep away from utilizing AI, however you may as well discover just a few ‘dumb’ telephone fashions for a complete digital detox.
- Working system: Are you extra accustomed to iOS or Android? Seeking to bounce ship from Apple to Samsung? Every working system has its personal quirks which will or might not mesh with how you want to make use of your tech. And it is essential to remain up-to-date on information relating to OS updates, safety, and firmware so you possibly can squeeze each final bit of excellent out of your new (or new-to-you) anti-AI telephone.
- Value vs. worth:Â Plenty of anti-AI smartphones will be discovered at extra inexpensive costs since they’re just a few generations behind the most recent lineups from every main model. And whereas it is tempting to snap up that ultra-cheap, pre-owned iPhone 13, it is essential to think about if the associated fee is value any potential complications as a consequence of dropped system assist, in addition to any unsupported options like built-in voice controls.
ZDNET’s evaluation crew spends upwards of a yr testing the ins and outs of each smartphone launch, evaluating the day-to-day efficiency, digital camera high quality, battery life and endurance, and extra. Here is a breakdown of each issue we contemplate earlier than we make suggestions:
- Design and ergonomics:Â How good a telephone appears to be like and feels performs a giant position in lots of customers’ shopping for journeys, so we contemplate these points closely when testing.
- Efficiency:Â A number of elements have an effect on a telephone’s efficiency, together with LTE/5G sign, battery life, and background duties. Subsequently, we usually start our evaluations with a totally charged handset, with all background duties closed, and with as secure of a cell connection as potential.
- Digital camera high quality:Â ZDNET assessments telephone cameras by capturing tons of of pictures and movies of assorted topics and in numerous lighting situations. We additionally evaluate the output to that of older fashions.
- Battery life and charging:Â It is also essential for us to guage how lengthy telephones final underneath gentle, reasonable, and heavy utilization, how lengthy they take to recharge, and the way they do it (wired, wi-fi, or each).
- Particular options:Â These options distinguish examined gadgets from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully deliver added worth to customers, not the other.
- Pricing and availability:Â Past finances concerns, we additionally be aware if a telephone is out there within the US or solely internationally.
Professionals of utilizing telephones with out AI options
Apart from the elimination of options you did not need within the first place, there are many causes to decide out of utilizing AI in your telephone. Telephones aren’t simply gadgets we use to name and textual content anymore; they’ve 100,000 instances the processing energy of the IBM pc that acquired us to the moon and join us to the whole breadth of human information through the web. Additionally they retailer our IDs, financial institution information, private knowledge, and the information of our family and friends. They observe us with geolocation knowledge and looking traits. All of this knowledge will be extra susceptible on AI-enabled gadgets, and each Apple Intelligence and Microsoft Co-Pilot have already come underneath fireplace for safety flaws that might expose delicate knowledge like names, addresses, and even medical info that has been recorded in apps.Â
These AI packages are additionally continually recording audio and video of your display screen, whether or not you inform them to or not, to ship personalised knowledge experiences. For Apple Intelligence, the analytical knowledge is saved as a neighborhood log that Apple claims isn’t exported off the system, however as we already discovered from Lopez v. Apple Inc. (the class-action lawsuit that proved Siri was recording personal conversations with out being activated and with out the information or consent of customers, which have been then saved on Apple servers), companies are, on the very least, typically careless with private knowledge. So deactivating or eradicating AI software program out of your gadgets is a large step towards defending your self from knowledge leaks and software program exploits that permit dangerous actors to reap info.
Cons of utilizing telephones with out AI options
There are not any cons to utilizing a telephone that both does not assist AI in any respect or just permits you to decide out of the software program within the sense that you will be walling off important options. However there are some things to think about if you wish to decide out or take away AI software program out of your system.Â
In case your telephone has software-level solely AI, you possibly can safely disable and take away AI-enabled apps and packages out of your telephone with out operating the chance of damaging your telephone. Chances are you’ll run into battery efficiency points if in case you have a more recent telephone, for the reason that working system might run a relentless test for the software program/apps you eliminated or disabled, and even CPU efficiency points, because the working system and {hardware} might not reallocate these digital assets to different options.
In case your system has hardware-level AI, it’s a must to essentially change the way in which your telephone was constructed in an effort to take away AI options. {Hardware}-level gadgets are purpose-built for AI integration, and you’ll severely injury your telephone and void your product guarantee if you happen to try to change any of the interior electronics. You can additionally set off a tool’s kill swap if it detects irregular voltage, which is able to destroy the interior electronics and brick your system. To not point out that some manufacturers bury phrases of their EULA that permit them to void your guarantee if you happen to make any {hardware} modifications.
What’s the value vary of non-AI telephones?
If you happen to’re trying to persist with a smartphone, you possibly can decide one up secondhand for just some hundred {dollars} if you happen to do not thoughts an older or refurbished mannequin. Nevertheless, if you’d like a smartphone that is only a technology or two behind and in new situation, be ready to pay full retail value, which is about $730 for the iPhone 15 with 128GB of storage. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re out there for a “dumb” telephone, you possibly can decide up one just like the TCL Go Flip 2 for about $50; this makes it an amazing choice for seniors on mounted incomes in addition to anybody who simply desires a telephone that may textual content and make calls with none distracting apps or Wi-Fi enabled options.
Newest information on anti-AI smartphones
- Virtually each main telephone producer has introduced some form of AI implementation for his or her gadgets in recent times, together with however not restricted to: Apple Intelligence, Samsung’s Galaxy AI, Motorola’s Moto AI, and Google Gemini. They’ve additionally shifted from software-level apps to hardware-level AI, which signifies that going ahead, it is going to be subsequent to not possible to decide out of or take away AI options out of your smartphone.
That depends upon in case your telephone makes use of hardware-level AI or easy AI software program. Apple and Samsung have confirmed that going ahead, their new smartphone releases will characteristic hardware-level AI, which signifies that this system shall be hard-coded into the telephone itself and subsequent to not possible to take away. Thankfully, there are many telephones available on the market at the moment that assist you to decide out of AI packages or take away them totally through your telephone’s common settings.
There are just a few ‘dumb’ telephone fashions available on the market if you understand the place to look, since they’re normally marketed towards senior residents or very younger youngsters who aren’t prepared for the duty of a smartphone. They’re additionally generally known as “characteristic telephones” since they solely have just a few features like calling, texting, and minimal pictures or internet looking capabilities. And since they’re such stripped-back, fundamental gadgets, they’re typically exceptionally inexpensive, retailing at round $100 or much less if you happen to catch one at a reduction.
In case your gadgets use “hardware-level” AI, it signifies that the CPU, RAM, and different bodily parts that make up your smartphone, laptop computer, or pill are designed particularly for the high-performance computing energy it takes to run LLMs, machine-learning algorithms, and different AI options they’ve determined to stuff inside. Which means that it will be very troublesome to take away out of your telephone because it’s nearly baked-in; chances are you’ll expertise efficiency points, trigger everlasting injury to your system, or void your guarantee on the very least if you happen to try to disable AI in hardware-level gadgets.
For “software-level” AI, this merely signifies that your smartphone, pill, or pc has common, consumer-grade parts which are optimized for typical computing whereas supporting AI packages like Gemini or Apple Intelligence. These gadgets typically have the choice so that you can fully take away AI-enabled apps or decide out of the AI totally.
Newest updates
- August 2025: Article first printed
Extra non-AI telephones to think about
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The Apple iPhone 14 is an older smartphone that does not characteristic assist for Apple Intelligence AI apps or software program, making it a good selection for any Apple model loyalists who’re on the lookout for a extra inexpensive smartphone whereas nonetheless avoiding annoying AI.
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The Samsung Galaxy A16 is an entry-level smartphone that is nice for teenagers, teenagers, seniors, or anybody who’s on the lookout for a fundamental smartphone that additionally does not assist any hardware- or software-level AI. With 128GB of inner storage, a 6.7-inch show, and a 14-hour battery life, you will get a well-rounded system that is nice for retaining in contact with household and mates.
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The Mudita Kompakt is an E-ink, minimalist telephone that provides you the feel and appear of a sensible system with none of the annoying AI bloatware or Wi-Fi-enabled distractions. It even incorporates a devoted button for hardware-level shutdown of microphones, the digital camera, and the GSM modem for complete privateness and to make sure that you are not being tracked by your private knowledge or geolocation.
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Smartphones Reviewed & In contrast
