At a glance
By Adam Turner
The rise of the smartphone is both a blessing and a curse. On the upside, they make it easy to stay in touch and get things done anywhere, anytime. On the downside, they make it hard to avoid staying in touch and getting things done — at any hour of the day or night.
If looking to limit tech exposure and reduce overwork, time wasting or that pesky scrolling habit, investing in a “dumbphone” could be a smart move.
Of course, one way to alleviate the demands of a smartphone is to utilise the Notification and Do Not Disturb settings. But another option is to switch to a “dumbphone” with limited connectivity, not only for their retro-chic style but also to escape productivity or dopamine traps.
Basic models also tend to be more affordable, so are a lesser investment for sporadic use. To keep the same number between phones, it’s an option to swap the SIM card between them; just make sure to check compatibility between models when purchasing.
Have an old dumbphone in the drawer, like an original Nokia 3210? Unfortunately, it’s probably stopped working after Australia’s 2G and 3G network shutdowns.
Here are five dumbphone options to consider.
Light phone III
The 4G/5G Light Phone III is more like a smartphone — just with most of the distractions removed.
Along with calls and text, it features an alarm/timer, calculator, calendar, maps, notes, voice memos and a simple music/podcast player.
Featuring a touchscreen, it also has 50 MP rear and 8 MP selfie cameras.
Nokia 3210
An homage to one of the bestselling phones of all time, the Nokia 3210 has been revived for the 21st century as a simple 4G handset.
It features a basic 3.5 mm headphone jack, but has gained Bluetooth for connecting a wireless headset, MP3 support (from a 32 GB microSD card) and a USB-C port for charging.
Note: the classic game of Snake is back.
Wisephone II
Promoted as “a healthy smartphone”, the 4G/5G Wisephone II allows installation of a few useful smartphone apps like WhatsApp, Spotify, Uber, Google Calendar and Airbnb; but it purposely lacks a built-in web browser and social media apps.
It features a 50 MP main camera, along with a 13 MP selfie camera. Keep in mind that Wisephone charges a US$14.99 (A$20.80) monthly subscription fee.
Nokia 2780 Flip
Flip phones were once the height of tech fashion, and they’re making a comeback.
The 4G Nokia 2780 Flip offers two touch screens and a huge 18 days of standby time from a single charge. However, it features a 5 MP rear camera only.
Opel mobile BigButton M
Designed for seniors, the 4G BigButton M is helpful for those facing eyesight or dexterity challenges.
It also offers an extra-loud ringtone volume. Great for those looking to keep things simple, it has a basic 2 MP camera.
