Intriguing reason why adults are switching back to 'dumbphones'

A year ago, a Reddit post by u/findlaymurdoch sparked a discussion about Gen Z's return to simpler technology for a more peaceful life. He asked for recommendations on "dumbphones" due to his growing screen addiction. “Looking to make the move toward a dumbphone as my screen addiction has gotten pretty bad," he wrote. He isn't alone—many Gen Z and millennials are now gravitating towards these basic feature phones, according to the Guardian.

A dumbphone is a basic model of a mobile phone that is mainly used for voice calls and text messaging. It lacks the advanced functionality characteristic of a smartphone, including games, social media and other addictive applications. 

This "dumbphone boom" trend aligns with what author Cal Newport calls “digital minimalism.” After years of increasing smartphone use, the downsides of "living in a digital world" have led younger generations to tire of countless apps and features. They're seeking to escape endless doomscrolling and rediscover real-life experiences.

The demand for these vintage phones spiked in 2022 when sales of basic Nokia models skyrocketed in the US, reports Euronews. Tens of thousands of units were sold each month. "We see that the market for flip phones is up 5 percent," said Lars Silberbauer, chief marketing officer of Nokia Phones and HMD Global.

Silberbauer noted that sales soon picked up in Europe as well. "I think the trend is really about people taking control of their own lives, of their own digital lives," he added. Teenagers are recognizing the impact of technology on their mental health and are taking steps to unplug from what causes restlessness.

Another reason for people ditching smartphones and opting for dumbphones is their desire for “90s nostalgia.” Silberbauer explained that life in the past was much simpler and carefree, and the longing to rewind one’s life to that time has been driving the youth towards dumbphones. "People want to go back to the early 2000s or the '90s, I think that's a remembrance of a happier time, a time where things were a bit simpler," he said.

It is not only Nokia’s basic button phones that are high in sales these days, dumb phones are booming everywhere else too. For example, the LA-based Dumbwireless, which caters to personalized low-tech devices also noticed a soaring demand for these phones. Surprised by this trend, store owners Daisy Krigbaum and Will Stults said, “We have a lot of parents looking to get their kid that first phone, and they don’t want them drifting off on the internet,” as per BBC. So, they provide devices that have all the necessary features, but no social media, or distracting apps.

Another company that deals with devices like these is Techless by Chris Kaspar. Kaspar said that he intended to build “boring” but sleek devices that’d look much like an iPhone. One of their devices is called “Wisephone.” “It has no icons, just words, two colors, and two fonts,” he described the device, adding that it is “very peaceful, very tranquil.”

“We’re asking this question—what’s actually good for us?” Kaspar said. Undoubtedly, with the number of people drifting towards these old-school flip phones, the future for the dumbphone market looks promising. Plus, this is a positive sign that the younger generations are paving the way for a world that exudes wholeness in their mental well-being rather than living in a constant “digital life” competition.