Over the past couple of decades, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. According to the Pew Research Center, about 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Statista reports that the number of global smartphone owners is estimated to reach 6.1 billion in 2029. For many, a smartphone is an always-on internet device that keeps us connected to the world.
But there are also significant downsides to having one. If you’re concerned about how much time you spend on your phone, you aren’t alone: Some people feel addicted to their smartphones, checking their email and social media feeds hundreds of times a day. Perhaps you find yourself doomscrolling through the news or wasting time on mindless apps and games rather than being productive at work or spending quality time with your family. Sure, you could simply limit your screen time, but that takes willpower that you might not have.
This rise in this obsessive behavior toward smartphones explains the resurgence of so-called dumb phones in recent years. Sometimes referred to as feature phones, dumb phones are essentially stripped-down cellular devices that lack the bells and whistles of modern smartphones. Some only let you call and text, while others have a few more features such as a camera or a music player. Dumb phones typically offer only the most basic of features, minimal internet and that’s about it.
If that intrigues you, read on. In this guide, we’ll highlight the different kinds of dumb phones on the market, what you should look for when shopping for one, and whether a dumb phone is even right for you.
The differences between a dumb phone and a smartphone
Nokia 2780 Flip phone closed (left) is next to the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.
A smartphone is essentially a tiny computer in your pocket. A dumb phone lacks the apps and features that smartphones have. More advanced dumb phones, or “feature phones,” offer a camera and apps like a calendar or a music player. Some even have minimal internet connectivity.
Many dumb phones are reminiscent of handsets with physical buttons from decades ago. Others have a T9 keypad where you press the numbers with the letters on the keypad and the phone “predicts” the word you want. There are even feature phones with touchscreens and more modern interfaces.
What should you look for when getting a dumb phone?
The Nokia 2780 Flip phone has Google Maps for directions.
The dumb phone that’s best for you will depend on the reason you’re getting it. Do you want to go without internet access entirely and do it cold turkey? Then, perhaps a basic phone is what you want. Basic phones are also great if you just want a secondary emergency backup handset. Do you want at least some functionality, like Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities or navigation directions? Then look into “smarter” dumb phones that have those features.
Alternatively, if you think you still need certain smartphone apps like WhatsApp or Uber, you could look into “dumbed down” Android phones with smaller screens and keypads (sometimes called Android dumb phones). They don’t qualify as dumb phones technically, but they’re often seen as an in-between solution for those who can’t quite commit to a lifestyle change.
What are the different kinds of dumb phones on the market?
As more people seek smartphone alternatives, a large number of modern dumb phones have emerged on the market. If you’re on the hunt for one, we recommend using Jose Briones’ excellent Dumbphone Finder, which lets you filter and browse a dizzying array of choices based on your preferences and network provider. We also suggest perusing the r/dumbphones subreddit, where you’ll find a community of dumb phone enthusiasts who can assist you in your dumb phone journey.
Here are a few different kinds of dumb phones that caught our attention.
Smarter dumb phones
The Light Phone 3 has a 3.92-inch OLED display that runs in black and white.
If you have a tough time letting go of your smartphone, there are a few smarter dumb phones on the market that might be a good gateway into the smartphone-free world. They often have touchscreen interfaces and more features you’d find on smartphones, like a music player or a camera.
Perhaps the smartest dumb phone on the market right now is the Light Phone 3, which has a 3.92-inch OLED screen and a minimalist black-and-white aesthetic. Its features include GPS for directions, Bluetooth, a fingerprint sensor, Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, a flashlight, a 50-megapixel rear camera, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera and a music player. It also has 5G support, which is something of a rarity among dumb phones.
However, it’s expensive at around $700, which is almost the same price as a higher-end smartphone. Light also sells the Light Phone 2, which lacks cameras and a flashlight, but it’s much cheaper at $300 (about the price of a midrange smartphone). It uses an E Ink screen instead of OLED. However, some reviews have said that the texting speed is pretty slow.
Another touchscreen phone that’s similar to an e-reader and is fairly popular with the dumb phone community is the Mudita Kompakt. It has wireless charging, an 8-megapixel camera, GPS for directions, a music player, an e-reader and basic apps including weather, a calendar and more.
Barebones phones
No element of the device has escaped the pink.
On the other hand, if you’re ready for a full digital detox, then you could consider just a basic phone that lets you call, text and not much else. Simply harken back to the phones of decades ago and you’ll likely find one that fits that description.
One of the major brands still making basic phones is HMD Global, which also makes Nokia-branded handhelds like the Nokia 3210 and the Nokia 2780 Flip. HMD makes its own line of phones too, such as the iconic pink Barbie phone, complete with a large Barbie logo emblazoned on the front. It even greets you with a cheerful “Hello Barbie” each time it powers on. We should note, however, that HMD has said it’s exiting the US, so the only way to get one might be through third-party reseller in the near future.
There are still basic phones being sold in the US. The Punkt MP02 is one of the more interesting models, thanks in part to its unique slim design and clicky buttons. You can even send messages via Signal with it, though you’ll have to text via the old-fashioned T9 method.
Android dumb phones
Android Go is specifically designed for budget phones.
Some dumb phone purists might argue that anything Android doesn’t belong in this list, but if your main goal in quitting your phone is to be free of the social media algorithm, then perhaps a scaled-down smartphone is a good halfway point for you. A couple of examples are the Unifone S22 Flip phone (formerly the CAT S22 Flip phone) and the Doov R7 Pro candy bar (available outside of the US), both of which are Android handsets but have traditional cell phone designs (The Unifone S22 Flip runs Android Go, a simplified version of Android).
This way, you still have access to your “must-have” apps, and might be able to better withstand the temptation of social media because of their tiny size and shape (or at least that’s the theory).
Should you buy an old or used dumb phone? Will it work on a carrier’s 5G network?
There’s nothing wrong with buying an old or used dumb phone, but you should make sure that it works with your cellphone network. Not all phones work with all networks, and certain carriers in the US aren’t compatible with every device, so check their restrictions. AT&T, for example, has a whitelist of permitted devices and you generally can’t use something that isn’t on that list.
As for 5G support, that’s pretty rare when it comes to dumb phones, mostly because they often don’t really need it (they typically won’t see the benefit of faster data speeds, for example). Some, however, do have 5G support, such as the Light Phone 3, the Sonim XP3 Plus 5G and the TCL Flip 4. If 5G support is important to you due to network congestion concerns, then that’s something you can keep an eye out for.
What if I’m not able to give up my smartphone just yet?
Brick is a 3D-printed square that you scan with your iPhone to block virtually any app you want, along with its notifications.
Maybe you need your smartphone for work or emergencies, or maybe you just don’t find any of the existing dumb phones all that appealing. If you don’t mind exercising your willpower, there are existing “wellness” tools on both Android and iOS that could help limit your screen time by allowing you to set app timers or downtime modes.
You could also disable and uninstall all your most addictive apps and use parental control tools to limit your screen time. Last but not least, there are several apps and gadgets designed to help you cut back on doomscrolling, like the Brick and the Unpluq tag.
