The “dumb” phone is not dead yet

The current smartphone era really began in 2007, when Apple introduced the world’s first iPhone. It was a device that changed conventions and proved exactly what a small, portable device could be capable of. Phones stopped being about features and started being more about what you could do with them. In late 2008, Google entered the smartphone game with Android, and smartphone usage has only grown since then. Today, it is possible to get a decent smartphone for less than Rs. 5,000. Unfortunately, smartphones have also brought their fair share of problems.

Although smartphones are objectively better than the “dumb” phones of the past, there are good reasons to stick to the old standards even today. If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by your smartphone, you might agree with these reasons for switching to a dumbphone.

Benefit #1: Size
The biggest advantage dumbphones have over smartphones is size. The whole premise of the smartphone depends almost entirely on large touch screens, which is why it is no longer possible to have a truly compact smartphone that is worth its weight. The dumbphone lets you go back to small phones that fit comfortably in your pocket.

Advantage #2: Durability
Smartphones have this notorious habit of breaking and becoming non-functional after being dropped six inches off the ground. Dumbphones can also stop working when dropped from height and mishandled, but the likelihood of this happening is much lower. Thanks to the lack of expensive and fragile components, dumbphones are designed to withstand much more physical punishment. And even in the unlikely event that your dumbphone dies, its low cost will ensure you won’t really feel the pinch.

Advantage #3: Price
Smartphone prices are gradually increasing to the point where you can expect to shell out nearly a million rupees for a high-end flagship smartphone. You can get a smartphone for a lot less, but you really shouldn’t. Dumbphones, on the other hand, will probably cost you no more than a few thousand rupees. You still have the ability to call and text, and your little smart phone will probably have some basic but useful functions such as a flashlight, calculator, world clock, currency converter, calendar and a radio. And if you break or lose it, it doesn’t break your heart or hurt your wallet so much.

(Also see: Would you pay Rs. 22,000 for a “dumb” phone? This company thinks so)

Benefit #4: Battery Life
If you’re lucky, your smartphone battery will last a day, and overnight charging has become a reality. If you forget to plug in, you’ll find yourself walking around with a clipboard. These days, you often charge your phone twice a day. Dumbphones, on the other hand, can go days without recharging, due to the lack of power-consuming hardware inside. Everything from the screen to the low-power processor is basic and designed to give you hours, if not days, of standby and talk time. You can turn your daily recharge cycle into a weekly affair.

Advantage #5: Design
Do you remember when phones looked good? We had iconic designs from the dumbphone era, including the rather stunning Motorola Razr V3, the legendary Nokia 3310, and the incredulous Nokia N-Gage. Smartphones today are breaking new ground in design, but there’s not much you can do when you need a large touchscreen that takes up 70% of the front of the device. And there’s no denying that using a flip phone makes you look a little cooler than you already are.

(Also see: Sony executives on the Xperia Z5 Design and the Dragon in the room)

Advantage #6: Security
The downside of being connected all the time is that your phone often contains a lot of personal information about you, as well as details about your finances, credit and debit cards, and photos of you and loved ones. These details can be hacked or harvested by malware, and it is common knowledge that various websites and services track you and collect your information without your knowledge, but with your permission without your knowledge. Many dumbphones lack connectivity or apps, making them the perfect way to be completely hidden and safe from security threats. Plus, if your dumbphone is misplaced or stolen, there’s a lot less to worry about and thieves are more likely to target people with more expensive smartphones than risk getting caught stealing a phone. which isn’t worth much anyway.

Advantage #7: Off-Grid
One of the biggest problems with smartphones is that they have a knack for distracting you. Today, people are constantly texting or accessing social media using their phones, in addition to taking photos or playing games. Constant internet access also means that people always have something to do on their smartphones. Dumbphones, with their lack of basic connectivity and functionality, make it much easier for you to focus on real life. Plus, people have to call you if they want to get in touch, which makes conversations more intimate and meaningful.

Since we have computers and tablets that allow us to stay connected all the time, replacing your smartphone with a dumb smartphone might be a lot easier than you think. You can keep your online identity intact when you’re at home or at work, and be much more social when you’re not. What do you think about this? Let us know via the comments.