The dumb phone revolution: Why dumb phones are making a smart comeback

Want to stop the scrolling habit but not sure you can white-knuckle it? Enter the dumb phone. Smartphones are all about access. Access to emails, messages, apps, navigation, social media. They’re convenient and useful, but the dark side is that they’re addictive. The constant notifications and the temptation to scroll is always present, while it’s been proven that too much screen time disrupts sleep, focus and stress levels.

As a solution, some people are going back to the basics with a simple dumb phone, and you can too. Keep reading for all the details on why and how to do so without disrupting your whole life.

What is a dumb phone?

Before making the switch to a dumb phone, it’s important to understand what it is and what you are giving up. Dumb phones are simple phones like home phones, flip phones and minimalist phones. The defining feature is that they don’t have apps and have limited to no internet browsing access. The focus instead is on core functions like calling and texting, with limited functionality otherwise.

Why make the switch?

There’s so much life going on around you that you’re likely missing due to endless scrolling. Dramatic? Yes. The truth? Also, yes. Scrolling steals your time, focus, sleep and emotional wellbeing. And while you can try to resist it by deleting apps, setting time limits and whatnot, the odds are not in your favor. A lot of companies pour money into an industry whose primary goal is to keep us scrolling.

On the flip side, giving up a smartphone for a non smart phone has some complications. What about those apps you truly need? Hello, navigation and two-factor authentication. Despite these drawbacks, there are solutions; they’re just a tad more inconvenient. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Let’s take a look.

Pros

• Reduces screen time: Choosing a basic phone over a smartphone reduces the constant notifications (and the distractions they cause) and app use. For parents trying to limit screen time, app use is a constant issue. Even as adults, most of us can’t resist the ding of a notification, letting it pull us away from what’s in front of us.
• Gives you time back: With reduced screen time comes more time to do other things. Think of all the books you could be reading, the hikes you could take, the deep conversations you could be having in real time. Life is short, live in it, not on your screen.
• Saves money: A non smart phone is way cheaper than a smartphone, not to mention no app subscriptions or other fees you accumulate with smartphone use.
• Increased reliability: Because non-smart phones have smaller screens, fewer processes running at a time and simpler hardware, they have a much longer battery life—some even last several days or weeks on a single charge.
• Easier to use for certain groups: Many seniors find basic phones easier to use with their simple navigation and physical buttons. Parents find dumb phones useful for kids when they want them to be able to keep in touch without access to apps or the internet.

Cons

• No navigation and location sharing: Contrary to popular belief, some dumb phones do come with navigation. And if they don’t, there is the old-fashioned way: look up directions and print them out (or jot them down) from your computer before you leave. And you can always text someone your location from a basic phone.
• Unable to do two-factor authentication: While this may pose a small inconvenience, most two-factor authentication systems give you options on how to receive the code. You can always choose email and opt to receive it when you’re at your computer.
• Missing music, photos, and podcasts: Some basic phones have an audio player. If not, you can get a cheap MP3 player.
• No access to tickets: You can always print the tickets or QR code before attending the event.

How to switch to a dumb phone

Making the switch from a smartphone to a dumb phone is more mentally challenging than anything. Physically making the switch is quite easy. Just prepare yourself to be bored and not know what to do with yourself at first. But as that screen addiction wears off, you’ll find plenty of things in life to replace the endless scrolling. To make the switch, we recommend:

• Try a trial period to see which features you truly need, and look for a basic phone that offers them.
• Be picky about what information you transfer. Pick only essential contacts and information.
• Tell people that you’re simplifying. This will help lower expectations so people don’t expect you to be accessible 24/7 anymore.

The best dumb phone recommendations

When it comes to smartphone alternatives, there are several types to choose from. As mentioned above, a trial period will help you learn what features you need. The following are some good options to check out.

VoIP home phone

Sometimes, a home phone is just the easiest option. Ooma’s home phone proves that dumb phones can be a smart move: it’s free – you just pay applicable taxes and fees. As a VoIP phone, it connects through your internet, so it’s easy to set up and reliable too.

Minimalist phones

There are physical minimalist phones and apps that can turn an iPhone into a dumb phone. That said, if you’re really embracing a dumb phone, just get a minimalist phone and avoid another app or paying for an iPhone and then not using it to its full ability.

Minimalist phones are just as they sound: basic phones with a limited set of features that eliminate non-essential functions. They typically include a black and white screen that reduces eye strain, easy menus and buttons, basic navigation, Bluetooth streaming and basic utilities (calls, texts, alarms, timers and notes). Some are also built to be more durable than the average phone – think drop and water resistant.

Basic flip phones

The basic flip phone is light, durable, easy to use and has a long-lasting battery. Some feature a low-resolution camera, Bluetooth for wireless connection, GPS, a basic map app and MP3 playback. Some even have a lightweight internet browser for quick searches, but they are not ideal for deep dives.

It’s not anti-technology, it’s pro-intentional tech

In the end, making the switch from a smartphone to a dumb phone isn’t an anti-tech movement. It’s about intentional tech – using it when it’s needed, while not getting drained by it. When you think of it that way, combining the best dumb phones like Ooma’s home phone minimizes screen time and distractions while allowing you to connect on your own terms—a win-win for all.