My iPhone does everything I need, yet I still carry a dumb phone with me everywhere I go. It might seem unnecessary or even outdated, but for me, it’s an everyday carry.
5
It Helps Me Disconnect From Digital Noise
One of the most significant advantages of carrying a dumb phone (also known as a feature phone) is the break it gives me from the constant flood of notifications and distractions that come with a smartphone. With my iPhone, I’m bombarded with emails, social media alerts, news updates, app reminders, and everything in between all day long. Even when I try to set limits or use focus modes, it feels like there’s always something competing for my attention.
Sure, I could try turning my iPhone into a dumb phone, but that has never made me use my device less. There’s just something about modern smartphones that makes them attention magnets. But with a dumb phone, it’s easy to achieve my goal of having social-media-free days while still being able to communicate via calls and SMS.
There’s no temptation to scroll endlessly on social media because there are no such apps, and even if I wanted to, I can’t install them. That has made my digital detox days effortless and, best of all, if someone wants to reach me, they still can, just not on iMessage or WhatsApp, but by calling or sending an SMS. Besides, since I have my iPhone with me, I can reach out for it in case I need to do anything that a dumb phone can’t, like order a ride or food.
4
It’s Built Tough and Much More Durable
Modern smartphones are powerful, but they’re also fragile. Despite how manufacturers praise their new models as being much more resistant to drops and scratches, the reality is different. A single drop can leave you with a cracked screen, a damaged camera, or a damaged glass back, and most likely an expensive repair bill. That’s why your iPhone needs a case.
Dumb phones, on the other hand, are built like tanks. Many are built with sturdy plastic shells, smaller screens, and physical buttons that can withstand drops, bumps, and even a bit of rough handling. I’ve accidentally dropped my dumb phone on a tiled floor more times than I can count, and it barely shows a scratch. And the best part? It doesn’t even have a case or screen protector. Compare that to my iPhone, which I baby with a case and a screen protector.
3
It Offers Incredible Battery Life
If there’s one area where modern smartphones have fallen behind dumb phones, it’s battery life. Battery life is one area where modern smartphones have become worse. Dumb phones offer unbeatable battery life. Compared to my iPhone and most smartphones, which usually need a charge at least once a day (if you’re lucky), my dumb phone can easily last several days on a single charge—sometimes even a week.
That’s unheard of in today’s smartphone world, where using your device for a couple of hours is enough to deplete the battery by midday. Even worse, you may experience your Android phone or iPhone battery draining overnight while you’re not actively using it.
What makes dumb phones have such enviable battery life is their simplicity. Without power-hungry apps, large screens, or constant internet connections, dumb phones consume far less power. For me, the peace of mind that comes with knowing I have a phone that won’t die after a few hours of active use or idling is invaluable.
2
Provides a Reliable Backup in Emergencies
One of the most practical reasons I carry a dumb phone is the security of knowing I always have a backup in case of emergencies. Smartphones are handy, but they aren’t foolproof. Their batteries can drain quickly, apps can crash, or, because of their fragile nature, they can be damaged at the worst possible moment. Heck, it might even be stolen because thieves target smartphones for their value.
Having a dumb phone tucked away means I’m never completely cut off if something happens to my primary device. Their simplicity also makes dumb phones reliable because they don’t need constant updates to function properly, and they’re less likely to freeze or fail in critical situations. In emergencies, this reliability matters more than fancy features.
1
It’s Cheap to Buy and Easy to Replace
If you’ve considered having a backup phone, a dumb phone is the cheapest option. For a backup device that can save you in emergencies, it costs you just a few bucks to own a dumb phone. You can often find them for under $50, and even higher-end rugged models are still far less costly than a modern smartphone. It’s even cheaper when I live because I paid about $10 to buy the device.
This affordability means I don’t have to stress if something happens to it. If I lose it, drop it, or accidentally damage it, replacing it is quick and inexpensive. That makes me feel a lot more comfortable carrying it around in situations where I wouldn’t risk pulling out my iPhone. The same can’t be said for smartphones, which seem to get more expensive every year.
Carrying a dumb phone alongside my smartphone might seem unnecessary, but it’s definitely worth it. It helps me easily disconnect from digital noise, lasts for days on a charge, survives rough use, and gives me reliable backup in emergencies—all at a low cost. Even in today’s smartphone-dominated world, the dumb phone is my simple, dependable safety net.
