I, like most people, could spend less time on my phone. I’m already better than I used to be. The first thing I do when setting up a new handset is turn off every notification. All of them. I think they’re a massive distraction, and I genuinely hate the way they tug at your attention like an impatient child. I’ve also ditched my smartwatch for a screen-free smart ring, which feels like a small but meaningful win.
And yet. It still doesn’t feel like enough.
That’s why my tech resolution for 2026 is simple: explore more single-function devices.
The problem isn’t willpower. Its design. Phones are too good at being everything. Open your phone to take a photo, and you’ll probably check messages. Open it to play music, and you’ll end up scrolling through Instagram you didn’t even mean to open. Even when you’re disciplined, the phone is always whispering, ‘while you’re here…‘
Single-function devices don’t do that. They can’t. They do one thing, and when that thing is done, you’re finished. No endless feeds. No algorithmic traps. Just a clear beginning and a clear end. That feels oddly radical in 2026.
Music is where this itch really started. I recently wrote about how Apple should bring back the iPod, and I still stand by it. Music deserves its own space again. I’ve been looking at what’s out there, and it turns out there’s a quiet little renaissance happening. Fiio’s music players are especially tempting, with that retro tape-deck look that feels charming and retro. KM5 is doing something equally charming, pairing its lightweight retro HP1 headphones with the CP1 disc player – a reminder that physical media can still be joyful and beautiful.
Then there’s photography. I own a Panasonic S1R, and I love it. It’s brilliant and takes amazing pictures. It’s also enormous. As a result, it stays at home far more than it should. My Pixel 10 Pro takes more photos, not because it’s better, but because it’s there. I’d like to experiment with smaller, more portable cameras – the sort you can throw in a bag and forget about until something catches your eye. Fujifilm’s recent cameras, such as the X100VI and X Half really appeal here. They feel intentional. You pick them up to take a photo, not to check your email.
Gaming is another area crying out for focus. I still adore the Game Boy Color (it’s still my favourite console of all time) and that feeling of slipping something pocketable into your coat and disappearing into Pokémon Blue for half an hour. Maybe it’s finally time to move on from the original Switch, whether that’s a Switch 2 or one of the many retro handhelds that promise old-school joy without modern clutter.
The biggest question, though, is the phone itself. Could I replace it altogether? Probably not. I don’t think I could go full dumb phone. Maps, messaging, and the occasional emergency Google are still too useful. But I’m intrigued by simpler, pared-back phones like the Light Phone 3. Devices that strip things back to the essentials, without pretending the modern world doesn’t exist.
This isn’t about rejecting technology. Far from it. It’s about choosing the right tools for the job. One device. One job. Less noise. More intention. If 2026 is the year I spend less time scrolling and more time listening, playing, and making, I’ll consider that a resolution well kept.
Liked this? An AI chatbot saved my life – but then almost killed me
