Just over a month ago the Chinese smartphone maker Meizu started an IndieGoGo campaign for a smartphone with some unique features, or rather, lack of features. Called the Meizu Zero, the phone was designed without any buttons or ports, relying instead solely on wireless charging and touch-sensitive inputs.

And while the design appealed to many, the price did not. Meizu wanted $1,299 from “backers” that wanted to receive the device when the campaign was over. Despite the “humble” goal of $100,000, Meizu managed to raise only about $45,000, which means even the few people that were ready ...