A simpler form of popular technology is making a comeback as users become addicted to the screen.
No one is calling for the return of the hula hoop or the Edsel, but there is a growing demand for “dummy” phones from the early 2000s.
In a word, dummy phones are mobile phones. who have little or no Internet access capabilities.
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Adults of a certain age may use Nokia’s old flip phones as a good example of a dumb phone, which has largely been superseded by smartphones. While dumb phones may provide limited texting, camera, and gaming features, they don’t offer the expanded menus that smartphones do, which essentially act like miniature laptops.
Now some smartphone users, tired of the constant routine of checking the screen, have had enough and are going back in time to buy dumb phones, which are selling like hot cakes.
Research firm Canalys notes that shipments of smartphones slipped 17% in the fourth quarter of 2022, year on year.
Meanwhile, sales of dumb phones are rising by “tens of thousands” on a monthly basis, especially for old favorite flip phones produced by Nokia and HMD Global.
Screen fatigue is one of the main reasons.
“I think you can see it with certain Gen Z populations: they’re tired of screens,” notes José Briones, dumb phone advocate and moderator of the subreddit, “r/dumbphones.” “They don’t know what’s going on with mental health and they’re trying to make cuts.”
Cell phone technology providers are adapting to user demand for dumb phones, only no one calls old phones “dumb.” Instead, new-age phone providers like Nokia, Light, Punkt and AT&T (ATT) are using terms like “light phone” or “SmartFlip” to appeal to mostly younger customers.
“What we’re trying to do with the Light phone is not to create a dumb phone, but to create a more purposeful phone, a premium, minimalist phone that’s not inherently anti-tech,” said Joe Hollier, co. -founder of phone maker Light told CNBC. “But it’s about consciously choosing how and when to use what aspects of technology add to my quality of life.”
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