The Rise of the Dumbphone - 25th April 2022

Nearly everyone has a phone these days, and most of us prefer smartphones. People spend their time glued to apps, games, and social media. We may even become addicted to infinite amounts of news and gossip. However, a growing number of people are rejecting this and choosing 'dumbphones'.

These simple phones can call, text and snap photos but can't support apps or social media. They're the same as phones from the 1990s.

Robin West, a 17 year old from London, swapped her smartphone for a dumbphone two years ago. She was going to buy an old phone. However, when she saw an £8 'brick phone', she bought that instead.

It's much cheaper since she doesn't have expensive data bills every month. And now Robin can focus on work and study more, she realises social media had taken over her life. She says, "I'm happy with my brick. I don't think it limits me."

There has been a huge rise in Google searches for dumbphones since 2018, as more people try to escape stress and anxiety from their smartphones.

Light Phone's developed 'feature phones', which are dumbphones that also allow people to listen to music and podcasts, and link to Bluetooth headphones. However, the New York based company claims that its phones will never support social media, email, or internet browsers.

Light Phone first created their devices as second phones for people who want a break from smartphones. Now, half its customers use them as their main phones. So in order to be cool, it seems we should all be going back to the future!